What is Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting?

PoE lighting is a system where LED luminaires receive both their electrical power and their control data over standard Ethernet cables (Cat6 or Cat6a). Instead of each light fitting being wired with mains voltage cable back to a lighting circuit in the distribution board, each luminaire connects to a PoE network switch via an Ethernet cable. The switch provides up to 90W of DC power per port, which is more than enough for most LED luminaires. The same cable carries data — allowing individual control of each luminaire, occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting, and real-time energy monitoring.

How much power can PoE deliver to a light fitting?

The latest PoE standard, IEEE 802.3bt (also called PoE++ or Type 4), delivers up to 90W per port. This uses all four twisted pairs in the Ethernet cable. Earlier standards delivered less: IEEE 802.3af (Type 1) provides up to 15.4W, IEEE 802.3at (Type 2, PoE+) provides up to 30W, and IEEE 802.3bt Type 3 provides up to 60W. For lighting, most commercial LED luminaires draw 15 to 60W, so IEEE 802.3bt Type 3 or Type 4 covers the vast majority of applications. Some higher-output luminaires or luminaires with integrated sensors may need the full 90W.

What type of cable is needed for PoE lighting?

Cat6 cable is the minimum for PoE lighting installations. Cat6 supports Gigabit Ethernet and PoE at up to 100 metres. Cat6a is recommended for new installations — it supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet and has better thermal performance when carrying higher PoE power levels (the cable heats up when carrying power, and Cat6a handles this better due to its larger conductor gauge and better shielding). Cat5e can technically carry PoE, but it is not recommended for new lighting installations due to thermal limitations at higher power levels. Always use solid-core cable for permanent installations (not stranded/patch cable).

Do I need to be an electrician to install PoE lighting?

The mains power supply to the PoE switch (and any associated distribution equipment) must be installed by a qualified electrician in compliance with BS 7671. The low-voltage Ethernet cabling from the switch to the luminaires operates at SELV (Safety Extra-Low Voltage) levels — typically 50 to 57V DC — and does not require a qualified electrician under the Electricity at Work Regulations. However, the structured cabling installation should be carried out by a competent data cabling installer to ensure performance standards are met. In practice, many PoE lighting projects are delivered by teams that include both electricians (for the mains supply and earthing) and data cabling specialists (for the structured cabling). Electricians who also hold data cabling qualifications are well-positioned for this market.

What is a PoE switch and how do you size it?

A PoE switch is a network switch that provides power to connected devices (in this case, luminaires) via the Ethernet ports. Each port can deliver a certain wattage (depending on the PoE standard supported). The key sizing consideration is the total power budget — the switch must have a power budget sufficient to power all connected luminaires simultaneously at their maximum draw. For example, 48 luminaires drawing 30W each need a switch with at least 1,440W total PoE budget. Switches are available in 8, 12, 24, and 48-port configurations with PoE budgets ranging from 120W to over 2,000W. The switch itself needs a mains power supply — typically a dedicated circuit from the distribution board.

How does PoE lighting integrate with building management systems?

Because every luminaire is an IP-addressable device on the network, PoE lighting integrates natively with building management systems (BMS) and smart building platforms. Each luminaire can report its status, power consumption, and sensor data (occupancy, light level, temperature) to the BMS in real time. The BMS can send commands to individual luminaires or groups — adjusting brightness, colour temperature, and scheduling. Common integration protocols include BACnet/IP, DALI-2, and RESTful APIs. This level of integration is extremely difficult with traditional mains-wired lighting and is one of the key advantages of PoE for commercial buildings.

What are the BS 7671 requirements for PoE installations?

BS 7671 applies to the mains supply side of the PoE installation — the circuits feeding the PoE switches, the earthing and bonding of the network equipment cabinets, and the separation of mains and data cabling. Regulation 528.3 requires separation of power and communications cables to reduce electromagnetic interference. Regulation 414.1 addresses protection by SELV and PELV, which applies to low-voltage PoE cabling. Functional earthing of network equipment is covered under Section 542. The low-voltage PoE cabling (50 to 57V DC) is classified as SELV and does not require the same level of protection as mains circuits, but the structured cabling must still be installed to the relevant data cabling standards (BS EN 50173, BS EN 50174).

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

Power over Ethernet Lighting: PoE Installation Guide for UK Electricians

PoE lighting delivers power and data to LED luminaires over Ethernet cables. This guide covers IEEE 802.3bt, Cat6/Cat6a cabling, PoE switches, commercial applications, energy monitoring, smart building integration, and BS 7671 considerations.

Start 7-day free trial

Free for 7 days · No charge until day 8 · Cancel anytime · Used by 1,000+ UK electricians

16 min readUpdated 2026-06-10Andrew Moore, Founder of Elec-Mate

Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.

ShareX in W

1,000+

UK electricians

“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”

Daniel Palmer — DP Electrical

Key Takeaways

1Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting delivers both power and data to LED luminaires via standard Ethernet cables (Cat6/Cat6a), eliminating the need for separate mains wiring to each light fitting.
2IEEE 802.3bt (Type 4) supports up to 90W per port — sufficient for most commercial LED luminaires which typically draw 15 to 60W. This standard uses all four pairs in the Ethernet cable.
3PoE lighting enables per-luminaire control, real-time energy monitoring, occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting, and integration with building management systems — all over the same cable.
4Cat6 cable supports PoE up to 100m (the standard Ethernet distance limit). Cat6a is recommended for new installations to provide headroom for higher power levels and future standards.
5BS 7671 applies to the mains power supply to the PoE switch/midspan, the earthing of network equipment, and the separation requirements between power and data circuits. The low-voltage PoE cabling itself operates at SELV levels.

01 · Emerging Technology

Power over Ethernet Lighting: What Electricians Need to Know

Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting is transforming commercial and high-end residential lighting installations. Instead of running mains-voltage cables from a distribution board to each luminaire, PoE delivers both power and data to LED light fittings over standard Ethernet cables connected to network switches.

This approach eliminates the need for traditional lighting circuits, dimmer modules, and separate control wiring. Every luminaire becomes an individually addressable, network- connected device — capable of being controlled, monitored, and managed from a software platform. Occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting, scheduling, energy monitoring, and integration with building management systems are all built in.

For electricians, PoE lighting represents both a challenge and an opportunity. The mains supply to the network equipment still requires a qualified electrician, and understanding the technology positions you as a specialist in a growing market. This guide covers the standards, cabling, switches, applications, and the BS 7671 considerations.

Free download

Get the BS 7671 A4:2026 Cheat Sheet — free

Every key change in the 2026 amendment on one page. AFDDs, TN-C-S protection, new schedule columns, model forms. Pinned on your van dash.

Every regulation change summarised
New model forms (EIC + MEIWC)
Free PDF — no subscription

02 · Emerging Technology

IEEE 802.3bt: The 90W Standard

Power over Ethernet has evolved through several IEEE standards, each increasing the power available per port:

StandardMax PowerCommon Name

IEEE 802.3af15.4WPoE (Type 1)

IEEE 802.3at30WPoE+ (Type 2)

IEEE 802.3bt60WPoE++ (Type 3)

IEEE 802.3bt90WPoE++ (Type 4)

IEEE 802.3bt Type 4 (90W) uses all four twisted pairs in the Ethernet cable to deliver power. At the Powered Device (PD) end — the luminaire — the available power is slightly less than 90W due to cable losses (typically 71W at the device for a Type 4 connection at 100m). For most commercial LED luminaires drawing 15 to 60W, Type 3 or Type 4 provides ample power.

The voltage on the cable is typically 50 to 57V DC — classified as Safety Extra-Low Voltage (SELV). This is a key safety advantage over mains-voltage lighting: there is no risk of lethal electric shock from the lighting cables, and the cabling does not require the same level of protection as mains circuits.

03 · Emerging Technology

Advantages Over Traditional Lighting

PoE lighting offers significant advantages in commercial environments:

Reduced installation cost — Ethernet cable is cheaper to install than mains-voltage cable. No conduit, no fire-rated enclosures for the low-voltage cabling, no separate dimming or control wiring. In new-build commercial projects, PoE lighting can reduce total lighting installation costs by 20% to 40%.
Flexibility — luminaires can be moved, added, or reconfigured by simply plugging into a different Ethernet port. No rewiring needed. This is particularly valuable in offices where layouts change frequently.
Per-luminaire control — every luminaire is individually controllable from the network. Dimming, colour temperature, scheduling, scene setting, and emergency mode — all managed per fitting without additional wiring.
Integrated sensors — PoE luminaires can include occupancy sensors, ambient light sensors, and even Bluetooth beacons for indoor positioning. The sensor data travels over the same Ethernet cable.
Energy monitoring — real-time power consumption data per luminaire. Building managers can see exactly how much energy each light uses and optimise schedules and dimming profiles to reduce consumption. Typical energy savings of 50% to 75% compared to traditional fluorescent lighting.
Safety — SELV voltage on the lighting cables means no risk of lethal shock. Cables can be handled safely without isolation. This reduces risk during installation, maintenance, and reconfiguration.

04 · Emerging Technology

Cat6/Cat6a Cabling Requirements

The structured cabling is the backbone of a PoE lighting installation. Cable selection and installation quality directly affect both performance and safety.

Cat6 vs Cat6a — Cat6 supports PoE at up to 100m and is adequate for most installations. Cat6a is recommended for new projects because it has larger conductors (23 AWG vs 24 AWG in some Cat6), better shielding, and lower resistance — which means less heat generation when carrying PoE power and less voltage drop over long runs. Cat6a also supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet for future-proofing.
Solid core — always use solid-core cable for permanent installations (not stranded patch cable). Solid core has lower DC resistance and better PoE performance. Stranded cable is for patch leads only.
Cable bundling — when many PoE cables are bundled together (in cable trays or conduit), the current flowing through the cables generates heat. This increases the cable resistance and can reduce the available power at the luminaire. Limit bundle sizes or derate for bundling. Cat6a handles bundling better than Cat6 due to its lower resistance.
Maximum distance — 100m from switch to luminaire (the standard Ethernet limit). This includes any patch leads. For larger buildings, multiple switches or intermediate distribution frames may be needed.
Installation standards — install to BS EN 50174 (information technology — cabling installation). Observe bend radius limits (4x cable diameter for Cat6, 8x for some Cat6a), avoid kinks, and do not exceed the maximum pull tension.

05 · Emerging Technology

PoE Switches and Power Budget

The PoE switch is the power source for the lighting system. Selecting the right switch involves matching the port count, PoE standard, and total power budget to the luminaire requirements.

Port count — switches are available in 8, 12, 24, and 48-port configurations. Each luminaire uses one port. Plan the port count with 20% spare capacity for future additions.
Total power budget — the switch has a maximum total PoE power budget. A 48-port switch with 30W per port needs a 1,440W budget. Check that the switch power budget exceeds the total simultaneous power draw of all connected luminaires (at maximum brightness, not just average).
Managed vs unmanaged — managed switches allow per-port power control, VLAN configuration, QoS, and integration with the lighting management platform. Always use managed switches for PoE lighting installations.
Mains supply — the switch itself needs a mains power supply. A 48-port switch with a 1,440W PoE budget plus its own operating power may draw 7 to 8A at 230V. This requires a dedicated circuit from the distribution board — sized and protected per BS 7671.

For larger installations, multiple switches are distributed across the building in intermediate distribution frames (IDFs) to keep cable runs within the 100m limit. Each IDF needs a mains supply — plan these during the building design phase.

Try Elec-Mate free for 7 days

16 certificate types, 70+ calculators, RAMS, quoting, invoicing, AI agents, and 46+ training courses — from £6.99/mo.

Start free trial

06 · Emerging Technology

Commercial Applications

PoE lighting is most cost-effective in commercial environments where the benefits of individual control, energy monitoring, and flexibility are highest:

Offices

The primary market for PoE lighting. Open-plan offices benefit from per-desk lighting control, occupancy-based dimming (lights dim when desks are unoccupied), and daylight harvesting (lights reduce output when natural light is sufficient). Reconfiguration is easy when office layouts change — just move the Ethernet cable.

Retail

Retail environments use PoE lighting for dynamic scene setting — adjusting lighting colour temperature and intensity by zone throughout the day. Combined with Bluetooth beacons in the luminaires, PoE enables indoor positioning for customer analytics and wayfinding.

Healthcare

Hospitals and care homes use PoE for circadian lighting (adjusting colour temperature to support patient sleep patterns), nurse call integration, and asset tracking via Bluetooth beacons. The SELV voltage also reduces shock risk in patient areas.

Education

Schools and universities use PoE lighting for per-classroom control, exam mode (consistent lighting levels across exam halls), and energy reporting against carbon reduction targets. The flexibility of PoE supports room reconfiguration without rewiring.

07 · Emerging Technology

Energy Monitoring and Smart Building Integration

One of the most compelling advantages of PoE lighting is the ability to monitor energy consumption per luminaire in real time.

Per-luminaire metering — the PoE switch knows exactly how much power each port is delivering. This data is available in real time via the switch management interface or API, enabling per-luminaire energy accounting.
Occupancy data — luminaires with integrated occupancy sensors report room utilisation data. This is valuable for facility managers — identifying underused spaces, optimising cleaning schedules, and informing space planning decisions.
BMS integration — PoE lighting platforms integrate with building management systems via BACnet/IP, MQTT, or REST APIs. The lighting system becomes part of the building intelligence layer — coordinating with HVAC, blinds, and access control.
Carbon reporting — real-time energy data enables accurate carbon reporting for ESG compliance and BREEAM certification. Organisations can demonstrate quantified lighting energy reductions.

08 · Emerging Technology

BS 7671 Considerations for PoE Installations

While the PoE cabling operates at SELV levels, BS 7671 applies to several aspects of the installation:

Regulation 528.3 — requires separation of power and communications cables to reduce electromagnetic interference and ensure safety. Maintain the specified separation distances between mains cables and data cables in offices, data centres, and commercial installations.
Regulation 414.1 — addresses SELV/PELV protection requirements and functional earthing requirements for data and signalling circuits to prevent mains- derived touch voltages and mitigate shock risk to equipment users and maintenance staff.
Regulation 418.2.1 — different circuit types and connected equipment (lighting, power, data) must be considered as potentially exposed or extraneous conductive parts. Segregation, insulation, and bonding decisions depend on the specific circuit and equipment context.
Mains supply to switches — the PoE switches require mains power circuits sized and protected per BS 7671. These circuits must have appropriate overcurrent protection, RCD protection where required, and clear labelling.
Earthing of network equipment — PoE switches and network cabinets must be earthed to the main earthing terminal. Functional earth connections may also be required for shielded cabling systems.

The PoE cabling itself (Cat6/Cat6a carrying SELV voltage) does not require the same level of protection as mains circuits, but the installation must still comply with the relevant data cabling standards (BS EN 50173, BS EN 50174) and any fire performance requirements for cables in specific building types.

09 · Emerging Technology

For Electricians: Getting Into PoE Lighting

PoE lighting is a growing market, particularly in commercial new-build and refurbishment projects. Electricians who understand both the mains supply and the data networking aspects are valuable to PoE lighting contractors and building services consultants.

To enter this market, consider adding data cabling qualifications to your skillset (City and Guilds 3667, or vendor-specific certifications from Panduit, Leviton, or CommScope). Understanding networking fundamentals (IP addressing, VLANs, PoE switch configuration) also differentiates you from traditional electricians.

Cable Sizing Calculator

Size the mains supply circuits to PoE switches and network equipment with the cable sizing calculator.

Quoting App

Quote PoE lighting electrical work with Elec-Mate's quoting app. Mains supply circuits, switch installation, containment, and testing — all itemised.

EIC Certificate on Your Phone

Complete the EIC for the mains supply circuits on site. AI board scanning, voice test entry, and instant PDF export.

Quote, install, and certify PoE lighting mains supply

Join 1,000+ UK electricians using Elec-Mate for cable sizing, professional quoting, and on-site EIC certification.

Try it free for 7 days

Frequently Asked Questions About PoE Lighting

What electricians say

Verified reviews from the UK App Store.

One App for Everything!

Elec-Mate is my go to app for business and electrical work. It's feature rich without feeling cluttered. A true all in one app for quotes, certs, calculations, RAMS, EICRs, and more. I use it every day without fail, and it makes my workflow much smoother since I'm not jumping between apps anymore. The price-to-feature ratio is excellent. Any issues I've had, the developer responds within the hour and usually fixes them the same day. 100% recommend.

Fantastic app for electricians

I've used the app and the web based version for a while now and it's well worth the investment. If you're an apprentice or experienced Spark give it a go, you won't be disappointed.

Absolutely amazing

I've been using Elec-Mate for a while now, and honestly, it's one of the best apps I've ever downloaded. Every aspect of it feels thoughtfully designed, from the clean and intuitive interface to the powerful features that make everything so easy to manage. It's clear that a lot of care and attention went into building this app, and it shows in every detail.

Trusted by electricians across the UK

Real feedback from real sparks

“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”

Daniel Palmer

Sole Trader · DP Electrical

“I've won two contracts this month because I could turn quotes around same-day with the AI cost engineer.”

Nathan Perry

Electrician · NP Electrical Services

“The study centre got me through my AM2. Mock exams and flashcards are brilliant.”

Jake Pizey

3rd Year Apprentice · Apprentice

7-Day Free Trial — Cancel Anytime, No Hassle

Size Cables and Certify PoE Lighting Installations on Your Phone

Join 1,000+ UK electricians using Elec-Mate for cable sizing, professional quoting, and on-site EIC certificates. Position yourself in the growing PoE lighting market. 7-day free trial, cancel anytime.

“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”

Daniel Palmer, DP Electrical

From £6.99/mo after trial — less than a coffee a week

or download the app

7 days free, then from £6.99/moCancel in one tap — no calls, no hassleiOS, Android & WebBS 7671 compliant

Power over Ethernet Lighting: PoE Installation Guide for UK Electricians

Key Takeaways

Power over Ethernet Lighting: What Electricians Need to Know

Get the BS 7671 A4:2026 Cheat Sheet — free

IEEE 802.3bt: The 90W Standard

Advantages Over Traditional Lighting

Cat6/Cat6a Cabling Requirements

PoE Switches and Power Budget

Try Elec-Mate free for 7 days

Commercial Applications

Offices

Retail

Healthcare

Education

Energy Monitoring and Smart Building Integration

BS 7671 Considerations for PoE Installations

For Electricians: Getting Into PoE Lighting

Cable Sizing Calculator

Quoting App

EIC Certificate on Your Phone

Quote, install, and certify PoE lighting mains supply

Frequently Asked Questions About PoE Lighting

What is Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting?

How much power can PoE deliver to a light fitting?

What type of cable is needed for PoE lighting?

Do I need to be an electrician to install PoE lighting?

What is a PoE switch and how do you size it?

How does PoE lighting integrate with building management systems?

What are the BS 7671 requirements for PoE installations?

Continue reading

Commercial Lighting Guide

Data Cabling Installation

Cable Sizing Calculator

EIC Certificate App

Smart Home Wiring Guide

Inspection and Testing Course

What electricians say

One App for Everything!

Fantastic app for electricians

Absolutely amazing

Trusted by electricians across the UK

Size Cables and Certify PoE Lighting Installations on Your Phone