Power over Ethernet and compatibility with Home Hub (1000 for example)

[janerette]

I have already searched this and found 0 hits so it's worth asking. 

I'm looking at upgrading my lighting in the room in which my Home Hub is situated, and found that Power over Ethernet (PoE) is one of the lighting options available.

Typically, the data in Ethernet travels over the orange and green (and -white) pairs of wires, leaving the brown and blue unused. The electricity that these can therefore carry can power a low-power device. This is more complicated than just a straight assumption so if you want the full complexity of it, go here: https://circuitdigest.com/tutorial/what-is-poe-and-how-power-over-ethernet-works 

The Home Hub has 4 ethernet ports and I'm using only one of them for my TV. I have not looked at the technical details of what's on offer from any given lighting kit that I'd get – this is exploratoy – but I am wondering if someone who's already tried this, or a Bell tech who knows, can say whether the Home Hub is compatible.

- Whether PoE lighting can be connected to the Home Hub 
- yes, but whether it has limited application e.g. 3 ports = 3 lights or not-full-range options
- if I have to upgrade my Home Hub to do it,
- or the Home Hub that can do this isn't available yet

or any other concerns 
 

[BellDRock]

Hi @janerette interesting question!

Unfortunately a lighting set up via a Home Hub modem wouldn't be officially supported, but in theory could work I suppose if our modems supported PoE.  Tagging in @JD, @ZaneP and @Sams here to see if they have anything to share on the subject.

[ZaneP · Accepted solution]

Hi @janerette (cc @BellDRock )

A few years ago I used PoE to solve the lack of available AC power outlets for some devices on a corporate network. No doubt PoE has expanded quickly, given it's use in the residential space (security cameras, etc)

I don't want to go too far down the rabbit hole on this! But, for starters you'll need to attach a powered PoE injector/switch to your HomeHub. The ethernet ports on the HomeHub itself don't provide enough power for other devices.

Hoping someone with recent experience in lighting solutions via PoE will post on this thread.

It's an interesting project. Good luck!

[janerette]

Thank you for your input on this. I initially waited to respond just in case it generated more comments and I do hope it will as more people find this in the support forums. My basement was finished after construction in the early 80's, and whomever finished it put all the lighting on one circuit, put all the outlets (6 of them) on the same circuit, and put the laundry outlet on its own (but without a GFI because there wasn't a sink, even though you could reach into the washer tub and electrocute yourself if you were really dumb or determined). The lighting used to be one string-pull ceiling light in the laundry room, two sconces on the wall (x 25W, now probably x 8W) and two recessed halogen (50W), so with the advent of LED, the electrician agreed to put in four more recessed (because 6 x 7W is less of a load than 2x50). If I add more lighting, or want to enable the programmable colour array that PoE allows, I'll continue including this in the options. 

[ZaneP]

Hi @janerette 

Probably not many people here are doing PoE lighting, which may explain the lack of comments. But take a look at the homenetworking sub on reddit. There's a thread here on a PoE lighting project. There are other sub-reddits from which you'll get some search results.

Glad your basement got its wiring improved!