No one would argue that the world is experiencing an increase in wireless connectivity.
According to CTIA, a trade association that represents the U.S. wireless communications industry, there are more than 558 million wireless connections in the United States today (more than 1.6 wireless connections for every American). And that number grows daily.
Homes are now filled with wireless speakers, thermostats, and appliances. Hospitals use a wide range of wireless patient monitors and connected medical devices. In classrooms, students and teachers rely on tablets and laptops. Manufacturing plants optimize production based on sensors, trackers, and control systems—all wireless.
While wireless devices connect to a wireless network to send and receive data, they also require a power source to operate. As wireless connectivity expands, the way these devices are powered must change as well.
The Power Challenges Posed by Wireless Devices
As wireless connectivity proliferates, delivering safe, reliable, and scalable power to devices becomes a bottleneck that must be addressed. Supporting this density and effectively extending traditional power to every location where wireless devices are needed can quickly become unsustainable in terms of logistics and costs.
Each wireless node, sensor, or device requires some type of power source. Mobile devices (think laptops and tablets) rely on batteries for power, but many other wireless devices, such as access points, sensors, cameras, lighting fixtures, alarms, and access control systems, need reliable, continuous power as they remain fixed in place. Oftentimes, they’re deployed in locations without easy access to traditional power infrastructure.
Devices are frequently installed in places where outlets or wiring aren’t accessible (or would be very expensive to install), such as on high ceilings, in a parking garage, on top of outdoor poles, in the remote corners of a building, or on a large industrial floor.
In these scenarios, conventional power can be difficult to install or modify quickly and safely. For instance, adding new circuits or outlets for each device typically requires licensed electricians, permits, and compliance with building codes. Extending traditional power infrastructure to every new device location would require installing new conduit, pulling wire, and upgrading panels, which can be costly, disruptive, and slow.
Traditional power deployment also poses distance and flexibility constraints. Running high-voltage AC to remote locations increases risk and cost, as illustrated above, while delivering low-voltage Power over Ethernet (PoE) leads to significant power loss over long distances, meaning devices may not receive the power they need to operate.
Finally, conventional approaches to power distribution present possible safety risks that can lead to electrical hazards. Exposed wiring, overloaded circuits, and improper installation can result in shocks, fires, or equipment damage.
Why Remote Power Is Key to Supporting Wireless Devices
The answer to these challenges lies in remote power’s ability to deliver electrical power to devices that are positioned far from a central power source and outlet.
PoE is one form of remote power that many professionals are familiar with. It’s been around for more than two decades and enables power and data to be delivered over a single Ethernet cable. But, we mentioned earlier, it also has its limitations, including restricted power capacity and limited transmission distance.
But that’s where fault managed power (FMP) enters the picture. FMP takes a scalable, safe, and flexible approach to remote power delivery. It’s the bridge between the limitations of traditional power infrastructure and the demands of wireless connections.
FMP enables the safe transmission of significant power over long distances using standard cabling. This makes it straightforward to add or relocate devices as needs change. With built-in fault detection and automatic shutoff, the risk of electrical hazards is greatly reduced.
Because it doesn’t require licensed electricians for installation, and involves fewer materials (no conduit, circuit breakers, panels, etc.), it’s also faster and more cost-effective to deploy than traditional power.
This is especially valuable for wires devices because:
- They can easily be added or relocated without major rewiring
- Power can be delivered to them across hundreds of meters without significant loss
- Power delivery to them can be monitored and controlled remotely and integrated with building management systems to optimize energy use and improve operational efficiency
FMP Bridges the Gap Between Power Needs and Wireless Growth
As more wireless devices are deployed, FMP can safely and efficiently deliver necessary power to them without worrying about the limitations of PoE or the risks and costs associated with traditional power distribution.
Embracing FMP not only removes barriers to wireless expansion but also lays the foundation for safer, more efficient, and future-ready infrastructure.
Learn more about Tetra, VoltServer’s third-generation FMP platform. It delivers 250% more power per channel than any other commercially available UL certified system, safely distributing high power over distances exceeding a mile.
