Ethernet power supply standard provides convenient, flexible and enhanced management ability, and can use the same five types of cables to provide power. The current generation of standards-based technology can provide up to 60W power through four pairs of cables, which is also more efficient than the previous generation of two pairs of cables.

As the industry turns to provide higher power through Category 5 cables (or better cabling architecture), system designers and network administrators must understand various emerging technology options, including standards developed under the auspices of IEEE, and other standards that bring high-cost and cumbersome deployment complexity and potential security risks. For example, some manufacturers have promoted the scheme of 100W per port, which does not test before power-on, which is a dangerous omission. Other schemes to provide 200W/ port are even more dangerous, unless hard-resettable fuses are used at each PSE (power supply equipment) unit, or wiring is done by qualified electricians. The only safe way to supply power to equipment on Ethernet cable is to comply with IEEE802.3at-2009 specification.

HDBaseT alliance is developing a 100W power supply specification for products that transmit uncompressed, large-bandwidth multimedia content, 100BaseT Ethernet, power supply, and various control signals through a single LAN cable. HDBaseT Alliance is a cross-industry organization dedicated to the promotion and standardization of high-definition multimedia content in the whole family. It has created a "five-fold" function, which aggregates uncompressed, full-HD digital video, audio, 100BaseT Ethernet, IEEE802.3at standard power supply, and various control signals used for transmission on a category 5 cable.

Although independent manufacturers are pursuing a higher power level scheme, the HDBaseT power supply scheme provides other functions, including conforming to the IEEE802.3at-2009 standard Section 33.7.1, which stipulates that all PSEs must meet the IEC 60950-1:2001 specification, including being a limited power supply with a power of not more than 100 VA (or 100W) per port without special overcurrent protection equipment. HDBaseT also detects and classifies the power supply equipment, and can determine the power consumption of the equipment before power-on.

As the industry turns to higher power, other standards have emerged. For example, TV and audio equipment powered by HDBaseT must conform to UL 60065 standard, which requires the use of flame-retardant housings when the load is greater than 15W. Therefore, even if a TV load meets the requirements of IEC 60950-1:2011 for a limited power supply of less than 100W/ port, it still needs to use a fireproof casing.

When the demand for limited power supply turns to the realization of more than 100W/ port, it is required that the cable adopts a special flame retardant tube and is connected to the PSD and the input end of the power supply equipment through the metal box installed by the bracket. This requirement applies to cables longer than 10 feet (3.05 meters).