Power over Ethernet for Lighting - LEDs

Have ongoing work interest in 802.3af and 802.3at Power over Ethernet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_over_Ethernet
for non-classical applications (not VOIP – voice, video). Mostly interested in sensors, actuators and protocol/serial conversions via 802.3af. Communications drives these applications.

What if we drove further and looked at how far 10W could get one in a real physical application with an eye to communications. Lock strikes, dampers, valves, keypads and small displays get into this realm. What if the deliverable was literally power? What could be useful at 10W? The answer is that LED lighting technology is now practical at this level.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED_lamp
http://albertputnam.blogspot.com/2012/10/led-lighting-update.html

Scenario for LED lighting:
-Space (house/suite) wired for Cat5e or Cat6. (as-built or retrofit).
-802.3af managed gigabit switches installed (for use with VOIP as starter) like Dlink DGS-1210-10P.
-Unused sockets get 802.3af LED lamps (prototype – Trendnet TPE-112GS – with a 5W USB desk lamp).
-Local and (intelligent switch) managed control of the LED lights.
-UPS backup of 802.3af injection, and thus lights, where needed.

This involves only safe low voltage wiring. International acceptance/use/deploy possible.

Build 5-10W LED lamp with RJ45 connector and module like Silvertel Ag9600/Ag9700 series or similar (Ag9605? Ag9603?). Interesting if one could get 802.3af direct to LED driver (current) circuit.

LED Lighting - Update

Posted on LED lighting in last few days of 2011.
http://albertputnam.blogspot.com/2011/12/led-lighting.html
Here is a nice roundup article from Greentech Media, Jeff St. John.
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/LED-Roundup-Redwood-Systems-Lumenergi-IKEA-and-the-GSA

Smart lighting comes up... and always seems to go down the wireless path. Why not think about where the power comes from differently? What if power came with your communications? LEDs need much less power, and what if you had a standard way of delivering low power via the network?

Presto: 802.3af and 802.3at Power over Ethernet (PoE).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_over_Ethernet

Will discuss more about PoE and LEDs in subsequent posts.

Somerville Maker Faire - 2012-OCT-13

Somerville Maker Faire - on Saturday October 13, 2012 - sadly cannot make it - visiting family.
http://www.makerfairesomerville.com/

Took a look at hackerspaces list
http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/Boston
and was intrigued by Artisan's Asylum.
http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/Artisan%27s_Asylum
http://artisansasylum.com/

Saw them mentioned in the Boston Phoenix 10.12.12 p14
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/life/145599-robot-invasion/

Which led to
http://www.makerfairesomerville.com/