Method and apparatus for distributing power over communication cabling

摘要

A PoE powered device (106) and method of operation are provided. The device (106) includes a first port (142) unit configured to negotiate receipt of a level of PoE power from a power sourcing equipment (112). The power is received on a first pair of taps (136) on a first communication port. A detection unit (158) is configured to detect a presence of a first optional circuit load (148) and a second optional power load (186). A control circuit (144) is configured to establish connectivity between a second pair of taps (138) on the first communication port and a second powered device port unit in response to the detection unit detecting the first optional load (148), and further configured to establish connectivity between the second pair of taps (138) and a third pair of taps (162) on a pass-through communication port in response to the detection unit failing to detect the first load (148) and detecting the second load (186).