10Base-T1L Single Pair Ethernet 1000-Meter Reach Networking and Power: The Most Cost-Effective Option

10Base-T1L Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) combined with Single Pair Power over Ethernet (SPoE) specified in IEEE 802.3bu is the most cost-effective option for networking and powering 10-Mbit/sec Ethernet devices to 1000 meters and beyond. SPE will extend plug-and-play simplicity of Ethernet to 10-Mbit/sec Ethernet devices located in large open floor spaces such as warehouses, parking garages, shopping malls, airports or outdoor spaces for surveillance cameras and other smart remote devices up to and beyond 1000 m.

Building technologies, codes, standards, and regulations have an enormous impact on the architect, the consulting engineer, the building owner and the building facility manager. An example of 10Base-T1L/SPoE and 10Base-T/PoE network over structured cabling is depicted in Figure 1 with a 10Base-T/PoE switch powering a 10Base-T1L/SPoE switch extending the 100-meter reach to 1000 meters. In addition, PoE and SPoE powering classes are given as well as distances versus cable gauge.

The success of ANSI/TIA-568.2 structured cabling systems over which Base-T/PoE is specified to operate, is unquestionable. However, the ANSI/TIA-568.2 cabling channels have a maximum length of 100 meters, limiting the reach to smart remote Ethernet devices or surveillance cameras located beyond 100m. To extend this reach, the TIA TR-42 Engineering Committee has published ANSI/TIA-568.5 Balanced Single Twisted-Pair Telecommunications Cabling and Components and ANSI/TIA-568.0-E Generic Telecommunications Cabling for Customer Premises. These standards enable the planning and installation of a single-pair structured cabling system supporting the 10Base-T1L/SPoE single pair standards.

SPoE: More Power To You

SPoE provides reduction in energy consumption by minimizing the current and resultant cabling power dissipation by operating near the maximum allowable safety extra low voltage (SELV) power supply voltage of 60 volts. Voltage and power classification mechanisms exist via the Serial Communication Classification Protocol (SCCP) to provide the power sourcing equipment (PSE) with detailed information regarding the requirements of the powered device (PD) and vice versa.

10Base-T1L/SPoE: Connecting Base-T/PoE endpoints

One reason for the relatively slow adoption of Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) is the lack of SPE endpoint devices. Media converters enable 10Base-T1L/SPoE networking to Base-T/PoE endpoint devices providing the benefits of 10Base-T1L 1000-meter reach.

Telecommunications room (TR) floor area space and ancillary equipment are minimized by radially distributing from a single TR’s centralized electronics to remote powered devices such as surveillance cameras and monitoring sensor devices in large open floor spaces.

• 10Base-T1L/SPoE - PoE Camera Applications
• 10Base-T1L/SPoE - Monitoring and Sensor Devices

Connecting Base-T/PoE Cameras

SPoE Class 13 (7.7 W) and SPoE Class 14 (20 W) can power commercially available PoE cameras via a media converter. Table 1 provides vendor information (without part numbers) for the maximum power specified for PoE cameras from one distributor; achievable lengths versus Class and cable wire gauge are given for each PoE camera power.

Camera mounts with integrated media converters provide consistent environmental housings and ease installation as original manufacturer camera mounts.

Networking Base-T/PoE Monitoring and Sensor Devices

Offering the benefits of extended reach and an alternative to battery-operated wireless devices, SPoE Class 13 (7.7 W) with media converter can power a variety of commercially available PoE monitoring and sensor endpoint devices. 10Base-T1L/SPoE is easier to maintain, more reliable, and environmentally friendlier than battery-operated wireless devices.

Commercially available PoE monitoring and sensor endpoint devices can be networked with 10Base-T1L/SPoE by radially distributing from a single TR’s centralized electronics in large open-floor spaces—airports, retail buildings, data centers, and manufacturing facilities.

• People flow sensors and occupant sensors (airport, commercial/retail buildings)
• Monitoring (data center, intelligent building systems, warehouse and manufacturing): Environmental systems monitoring and control, along with physical security and safety monitoring

Other 10-Mbit/sec Extended Reach Options

Extending ANSI/TIA-568.2 Cabling Chanels: ANSI/TIA-568.2 cabling channels are limited to a maximum length of 100 meters, with cable lengths limited to 90 meters. Cabling lengths beyond 100 meters can be achieved by enabling cable terminations with crossconnection facility above ceiling or in-floor area equipment racks.

Extending Copper Cable Lengths Beyond 100M Non-Standard: A variety of commercially available cabling offerings claim performance exceeding standard category cabling to lengths longer than 100 meters. Two examples are given in Table 3, illustrating the cable length and gauge differences. Lacking adherence to standards the market information can be confusing and, in some instances, amount to unsupported performance claims. The plug-and-play simplicity of Ethernet is denigrated to plug-and-pray with engineered systems requiring expertise to assess detailed technical specifications. Given the availability of standardized SPE cabling and network devices (switches, media converters), the technical risks in deploying non-standard extended-reach 4-pair for 10-Mbit/sec devices are unnecessary.

Note that the cable outer diameter factors directly into conduit sizing and other pathways and spaces requirements. Using a 4-pair 22-AWG cable versus 1-pair can unnecessarily double the pathway and space area and associated costs.

Hybrid Copper-Fiber Cable: The use of fiber for data and copper for power can enable longer reach but it is essentially an engineered solution with powering via non-PoE Class 2 limited power source (LPS). The powering distances are predicated on the copper gauges with typical conductor sizes ranging to 12 AWG; this is not structured cabling that supports moves, adds, and changes.

Extender Devices: Copper-to-fiber media conversion allows for longer than 100 meter data reach, but adding a media converter in the horizontal cabling requires local power and space planning. Troubleshooting points of failure, with midspan media converters, can be time-consuming and costly. PSE to PoE power management is limited to PoE endpoint media converter patch cord.

Copper-to-copper PoE extenders allow for longer than 100 meter data reach but also add a media converter in the cabling, requiring local power and space planning. Again, fault isolation, troubleshooting network points of failure, with PoE extenders can be time-consuming and costly. PSE to PoE power management is eliminated.

In summary, 10Base-T1L Single Pair Ethernet combined with Single Pair Power over Ethernet specified in IEEE 802.3bu is the most cost-effective option for networking and powering 10-Mbit/sec Ethernet devices to 1000 meters and beyond. SPE will extend the plug-and-play simplicity of Ethernet to 10-Mbit/sec devices located in large open-floor spaces such as warehouses, parking garages, shopping malls, airports, or to outdoor spaces for surveillance cameras and other smart remote devices up to and beyond 1000 meters.