Power over Ethernet (PoE) is probably the most secure and the least costly type of connectivity for your monitoring system — a rare combination of attributes.
With the high cost of measuring, monitoring and recording environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity, selecting the most cost-effective method of connectivity for a monitoring system is a priority for many QA/QC professionals. Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a solution that can save roughly $1,000 on every additional network drop within your monitoring system. That’s why more pharmaceutical/biotechnical professionals are choosing PoE connectivity for their core environmental monitoring applications.
Originally implemented for Voice over Internet (VoIP) technology, Power over Ethernet emerged as a standard in 2003 to supply electrical power and transmit data via the same Ethernet cable. Since then, numerous industries have combined data and power connectivity in various manufacturing applications using PoE capable devices (IEEE 802.af) to ensure gap-free records and manage costs.
In FDA-regulated applications that require data integrity and security, PoE trumps any other solution. For example, in the case of a power outage, the network’s switch is typically attached to an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS), which will provide backup power to PoE-connected devices. Feasibly, if both the server and the equipment are on backup power, the monitoring system will be completely unaffected by power outages. Having your devices on PoE also negates the risk associated with a reliance on battery-powered devices, which have the potential for failure due to batteries not being regularly replaced.
In terms of installation costs, setting up a network of devices via PoE doesn’t require a licensed electrician to create outlets. The cost of labor required to run wires for each monitoring device can be as high as $1000 per device. For flexibility of installation, Ethernet cables are easy to install where other power sources are not. With
PoE-capability, you can locate monitoring devices anywhere a LAN cable can be run and then monitor all of the points from a central location.
The low cost of network switches with built-in PoE power capability further reduces lifetime cost-of-ownership because PoE-powered devices use far less energy than those powered by AC (wired or wireless). The power costs of a PoE device are much lower than battery-powered standalone devices that can require frequent battery replacements.
Finally, because the standards for Ethernet communications are global and well established, the potential for human error in using PoE powered devices is minimal. There is less need to train staff to maintain the devices on a simple PoE network and most existing IT infrastructures are adequate to support hundreds of monitored points, connected via PoE.
Choosing connectivity for your monitoring system is a balance between security, data integrity, and cost. While no type of connectivity is without drawbacks, as far as current options go, PoE is probably the most secure and the least costly — a rare combination of attributes.
For more information, visit www.veriteq.com .