IEEE (News - Alert), a global organization dedicated to developing industry standards for several industry segments, has formed a new study group aimed at standardizing a 4-pair Power over Ethernet (PoE) standard.

When developed, the 4-pair PoE standard would allow support of new PoE applications in the areas of IPTV (News - Alert), industrial Ethernet and more, according to David Law, chair of the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Working Group and distinguished engineer with HP Networking.

According to IEEE officials, the 4-pair PoE standard would result in increased power and increased efficiency for Power over Ethernet applications. 

The IEEE 802.3 4-pair Power over Ethernet Study Group will support collaboration on a proposal for the development of the standard. It will consider the 4-pair solution's capability to enhance energy efficiency and provide greater than 25.5 Watts of power in improving PoE.

The 4-pair PoE has become the preferred method to power networked devices, such as IP phones, access points and other network devices, according to IEEE. This technology approach results in increased efficiency since the use of additional pairs results in lower channel resistance, according to IEEE.

"PoE has become the dominant powering method in many Ethernet-based products--access points and IP phones, for example--demonstrating that customers will migrate towards convenience," said Chad Jones (News - Alert), chair of the IEEE 802.3 4-pair Power over Ethernet Study Group, in a statement.

Enabling applications beyond 25.5 watts will extend this convenience to other products, according to Jones.

Further, the technology also reduces power cost in the delivery channel by at least half. This benefit can be extended to existing powered products by moving from a 2-pair powering system to a new 4-pair powering system.