120 Volts AC in PoE hack works for me

I tried the idea of running 120VAC over Cat5e cable.

On the remote end, I mounted a surface mounted 120VAC socket to a
Ethernet box, then hard-wired it a locally mounted Ethernet box, where
I mounted a fuse holder, and a cord/plug exits the box and plugs into
the wall 120VAC outlet. Plugged in the power supply brick to the PoE
outlet and plugged in the power to the AP, plugged in the network
cables on both ends, and the AP works without problems! No effect on
speed or reliability. I could not detect any extra voltage induced
onto the data pairs.

I did run into one (self-created) problem the next day, when I could
not contact the AP, and it would not respond to pings. The AP blew
the 0.3 Amp fuse that I had installed. The AP power supply said it
draws 0.5 Amp @ 120VAC, and as most devices almost never actually draw
their rated consumption, I was being very conservative when I selected
the fuse value of 0.3 Amp. It turns out, this AP does draw something
close to it's actual rating (probably when I upped the power output of
the AP,) so I have now replaced the fuse with a 1 Amp version, and I
have had no further issues. The 1 Amp fuse is still *way* within what
Cat5 will carry.

Anyway, even though Cat5 is not certified for 120VAC, it works for me.
As mentioned elsewhere, ISDN is already running at 90 Volts.

--
BRENT - The Usenet typo king.

Fast Times At Ridgemont High Info http://www.FastTimesAtRidgemontHigh.org
Voted #87 - American Film Institute's Top 100 Funniest American Films

I would highly recommend you NOT do that! CAT5 is very fine wire, with very
thin insulation. It was never meant to carry the voltage, and current,
you're applying. If it breaks down, you could destroy equipment, or worse
yet, electrocute someone, or burn your whole house down! It's not worth the
risk!

Bill Crocker


"Brent Geery" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I tried the idea of running 120VAC over Cat5e cable.
>
> On the remote end, I mounted a surface mounted 120VAC socket to a
> Ethernet box, then hard-wired it a locally mounted Ethernet box, where
> I mounted a fuse holder, and a cord/plug exits the box and plugs into
> the wall 120VAC outlet. Plugged in the power supply brick to the PoE
> outlet and plugged in the power to the AP, plugged in the network
> cables on both ends, and the AP works without problems! No effect on
> speed or reliability. I could not detect any extra voltage induced
> onto the data pairs.
>
> I did run into one (self-created) problem the next day, when I could
> not contact the AP, and it would not respond to pings. The AP blew
> the 0.3 Amp fuse that I had installed. The AP power supply said it
> draws 0.5 Amp @ 120VAC, and as most devices almost never actually draw
> their rated consumption, I was being very conservative when I selected
> the fuse value of 0.3 Amp. It turns out, this AP does draw something
> close to it's actual rating (probably when I upped the power output of
> the AP,) so I have now replaced the fuse with a 1 Amp version, and I
> have had no further issues. The 1 Amp fuse is still *way* within what
> Cat5 will carry.
>
> Anyway, even though Cat5 is not certified for 120VAC, it works for me.
> As mentioned elsewhere, ISDN is already running at 90 Volts.
>
> --
> BRENT - The Usenet typo king.
>
> Fast Times At Ridgemont High Info http://www.FastTimesAtRidgemontHigh.org
> Voted #87 - American Film Institute's Top 100 Funniest American Films

Brent Geery wrote:

> I tried the idea of running 120VAC over Cat5e cable.
>
> On the remote end, I mounted a surface mounted 120VAC socket to a
> Ethernet box, then hard-wired it a locally mounted Ethernet box, where
> I mounted a fuse holder, and a cord/plug exits the box and plugs into
> the wall 120VAC outlet. Plugged in the power supply brick to the PoE
> outlet and plugged in the power to the AP, plugged in the network
> cables on both ends, and the AP works without problems! No effect on
> speed or reliability. I could not detect any extra voltage induced
> onto the data pairs.
>
> I did run into one (self-created) problem the next day, when I could
> not contact the AP, and it would not respond to pings. The AP blew
> the 0.3 Amp fuse that I had installed. The AP power supply said it
> draws 0.5 Amp @ 120VAC, and as most devices almost never actually draw
> their rated consumption, I was being very conservative when I selected
> the fuse value of 0.3 Amp. It turns out, this AP does draw something
> close to it's actual rating (probably when I upped the power output of
> the AP,) so I have now replaced the fuse with a 1 Amp version, and I
> have had no further issues. The 1 Amp fuse is still *way* within what
> Cat5 will carry.
>
> Anyway, even though Cat5 is not certified for 120VAC, it works for me.
> As mentioned elsewhere, ISDN is already running at 90 Volts.
>

Great idea *not*. You have violated numerous housing codes, including
the NEC. I believe that those violations will also invalidate your home's
fire insurance and personal accident insurance. And, it is now, almost
certainly, technically illegal to sell your house: your house may
be legally unfit for occupancy.
--
Cheers, Bob

"Brent Geery" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote...
> I tried the idea of running 120VAC over Cat5e cable.
>
> On the remote end, I mounted a surface mounted 120VAC socket to a
> Ethernet box, then hard-wired it a locally mounted Ethernet box, where
> I mounted a fuse holder, and a cord/plug exits the box and plugs into
> the wall 120VAC outlet. Plugged in the power supply brick to the PoE
> outlet and plugged in the power to the AP, plugged in the network
> cables on both ends, and the AP works without problems! No effect on
> speed or reliability. I could not detect any extra voltage induced
> onto the data pairs.
>
> I did run into one (self-created) problem the next day, when I could
> not contact the AP, and it would not respond to pings. The AP blew
> the 0.3 Amp fuse that I had installed. The AP power supply said it
> draws 0.5 Amp @ 120VAC, and as most devices almost never actually draw
> their rated consumption, I was being very conservative when I selected
> the fuse value of 0.3 Amp. It turns out, this AP does draw something
> close to it's actual rating (probably when I upped the power output of
> the AP,) so I have now replaced the fuse with a 1 Amp version, and I
> have had no further issues. The 1 Amp fuse is still *way* within what
> Cat5 will carry.
>
> Anyway, even though Cat5 is not certified for 120VAC, it works for me.
> As mentioned elsewhere, ISDN is already running at 90 Volts.
>
> --
> BRENT - The Usenet typo king.

POE (Power Over Ethernet) uses much lower (safer) voltages... Buy a 100ft
outdoor extension cord, around $8 at any hardware or supply store,
probably actually cheaper than what you spent on the socket, fuse holder
and replacement fuse...

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>,
Brent Geery <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> I tried the idea of running 120VAC over Cat5e cable.
>
> On the remote end, I mounted a surface mounted 120VAC socket to a
> Ethernet box, then hard-wired it a locally mounted Ethernet box, where
> I mounted a fuse holder, and a cord/plug exits the box and plugs into
> the wall 120VAC outlet. Plugged in the power supply brick to the PoE
> outlet and plugged in the power to the AP, plugged in the network
> cables on both ends, and the AP works without problems! No effect on
> speed or reliability. I could not detect any extra voltage induced
> onto the data pairs.
>
> I did run into one (self-created) problem the next day, when I could
> not contact the AP, and it would not respond to pings. The AP blew
> the 0.3 Amp fuse that I had installed. The AP power supply said it
> draws 0.5 Amp @ 120VAC, and as most devices almost never actually draw
> their rated consumption, I was being very conservative when I selected
> the fuse value of 0.3 Amp. It turns out, this AP does draw something
> close to it's actual rating (probably when I upped the power output of
> the AP,) so I have now replaced the fuse with a 1 Amp version, and I
> have had no further issues. The 1 Amp fuse is still *way* within what
> Cat5 will carry.
>
> Anyway, even though Cat5 is not certified for 120VAC, it works for me.
> As mentioned elsewhere, ISDN is already running at 90 Volts.

Cat5e is probably capable of insulating 400V between wires. The next
power surge is going to fry your Ethernet equipment. Common surge
protectors clamp around 350 - 480 V.

Here's a better idea - Most Ethernet hardware has a switching power
supply that accepts 9V to 16V. Send 16V over the lines and use a large
capacitor at the remote end to prevent rapid voltage swings (induced by
switching power supplies).

On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 06:55:13 -0400, "Bill Crocker"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> "Brent Geery" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > I tried the idea of running 120VAC over Cat5e cable.
> >
> > On the remote end, I mounted a surface mounted 120VAC socket to a
> > Ethernet box, then hard-wired it a locally mounted Ethernet box, where
> > I mounted a fuse holder, and a cord/plug exits the box and plugs into
> > the wall 120VAC outlet. Plugged in the power supply brick to the PoE
> > outlet and plugged in the power to the AP, plugged in the network
> > cables on both ends, and the AP works without problems! No effect on
> > speed or reliability. I could not detect any extra voltage induced
> > onto the data pairs.
> >
> > I did run into one (self-created) problem the next day, when I could
> > not contact the AP, and it would not respond to pings. The AP blew
> > the 0.3 Amp fuse that I had installed. The AP power supply said it
> > draws 0.5 Amp @ 120VAC, and as most devices almost never actually draw
> > their rated consumption, I was being very conservative when I selected
> > the fuse value of 0.3 Amp. It turns out, this AP does draw something
> > close to it's actual rating (probably when I upped the power output of
> > the AP,) so I have now replaced the fuse with a 1 Amp version, and I
> > have had no further issues. The 1 Amp fuse is still *way* within what
> > Cat5 will carry.
> >
> > Anyway, even though Cat5 is not certified for 120VAC, it works for me.
> > As mentioned elsewhere, ISDN is already running at 90 Volts.
>
> I would highly recommend you NOT do that! CAT5 is very fine wire, with very
> thin insulation. It was never meant to carry the voltage, and current,
> you're applying. If it breaks down, you could destroy equipment, or worse
> yet, electrocute someone, or burn your whole house down! It's not worth the
> risk!

0.5-1 amp is will within the current carrying capacity of 24 ga. wire.
Properly fused, as my system is, it is incapable of burning anything
down, period.

The only real danger, is the possibility of destroying the AP or
router, if the power wire pairs somehow short to the data pairs. This
would be a problem, even with official PoE boxes!

As I've read, ISDN already can run on CAT5, and it works at 90 Volts,
so the certified spec of 50 Volts is already been exceeded in common
use. No to mention that a ringing telephone produces 90 Volts AC as
it rings! There is no reason to believe that 120 VAC is anymore
dangerous.

If you have other information, I'd be happy to see it.

--
BRENT - The Usenet typo king.

Fast Times At Ridgemont High Info http://www.FastTimesAtRidgemontHigh.org
Voted #87 - American Film Institute's Top 100 Funniest American Films

On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 15:40:46 GMT, Bob WIllard
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Brent Geery wrote:
>
> > I tried the idea of running 120VAC over Cat5e cable.
> >
> > On the remote end, I mounted a surface mounted 120VAC socket to a
> > Ethernet box, then hard-wired it a locally mounted Ethernet box, where
> > I mounted a fuse holder, and a cord/plug exits the box and plugs into
> > the wall 120VAC outlet. Plugged in the power supply brick to the PoE
> > outlet and plugged in the power to the AP, plugged in the network
> > cables on both ends, and the AP works without problems! No effect on
> > speed or reliability. I could not detect any extra voltage induced
> > onto the data pairs.
> >
> > I did run into one (self-created) problem the next day, when I could
> > not contact the AP, and it would not respond to pings. The AP blew
> > the 0.3 Amp fuse that I had installed. The AP power supply said it
> > draws 0.5 Amp @ 120VAC, and as most devices almost never actually draw
> > their rated consumption, I was being very conservative when I selected
> > the fuse value of 0.3 Amp. It turns out, this AP does draw something
> > close to it's actual rating (probably when I upped the power output of
> > the AP,) so I have now replaced the fuse with a 1 Amp version, and I
> > have had no further issues. The 1 Amp fuse is still *way* within what
> > Cat5 will carry.
> >
> > Anyway, even though Cat5 is not certified for 120VAC, it works for me.
> > As mentioned elsewhere, ISDN is already running at 90 Volts.
>
> Great idea *not*. You have violated numerous housing codes, including
> the NEC. I believe that those violations will also invalidate your home's
> fire insurance and personal accident insurance. And, it is now, almost
> certainly, technically illegal to sell your house: your house may
> be legally unfit for occupancy.

Drama much. Better go tell the phone company to stop ringing your
phone -- with 90 VAC!

--
BRENT - The Usenet typo king.

Fast Times At Ridgemont High Info http://www.FastTimesAtRidgemontHigh.org
Voted #87 - American Film Institute's Top 100 Funniest American Films

On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 11:47:12 -0500, "Darrel Toepfer"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> "Brent Geery" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote...
> > I tried the idea of running 120VAC over Cat5e cable.
> >
> > On the remote end, I mounted a surface mounted 120VAC socket to a
> > Ethernet box, then hard-wired it a locally mounted Ethernet box, where
> > I mounted a fuse holder, and a cord/plug exits the box and plugs into
> > the wall 120VAC outlet. Plugged in the power supply brick to the PoE
> > outlet and plugged in the power to the AP, plugged in the network
> > cables on both ends, and the AP works without problems! No effect on
> > speed or reliability. I could not detect any extra voltage induced
> > onto the data pairs.
> >
> > I did run into one (self-created) problem the next day, when I could
> > not contact the AP, and it would not respond to pings. The AP blew
> > the 0.3 Amp fuse that I had installed. The AP power supply said it
> > draws 0.5 Amp @ 120VAC, and as most devices almost never actually draw
> > their rated consumption, I was being very conservative when I selected
> > the fuse value of 0.3 Amp. It turns out, this AP does draw something
> > close to it's actual rating (probably when I upped the power output of
> > the AP,) so I have now replaced the fuse with a 1 Amp version, and I
> > have had no further issues. The 1 Amp fuse is still *way* within what
> > Cat5 will carry.
> >
> > Anyway, even though Cat5 is not certified for 120VAC, it works for me.
> > As mentioned elsewhere, ISDN is already running at 90 Volts.
>
> POE (Power Over Ethernet) uses much lower (safer) voltages...

50 Volts is not safer than 120V. At 50 Volts, you have to run about 3
times the current down the line. I find frying the tiny 24 ga. cable
with high amp low voltage to be much more dangerous!

> Buy a 100ft outdoor extension cord, around $8 at any hardware or supply
> store, probably actually cheaper than what you spent on the socket, fuse
> holder and replacement fuse...

Also a very poor idea. Run an extension cord, unfused, and see what
kind of fire develops in time. Talk about burning the house down!

--
BRENT - The Usenet typo king.

Fast Times At Ridgemont High Info http://www.FastTimesAtRidgemontHigh.org
Voted #87 - American Film Institute's Top 100 Funniest American Films

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>,
Brent Geery <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>I tried the idea of running 120VAC over Cat5e cable.
>
>On the remote end, I mounted a surface mounted 120VAC socket to a
>Ethernet box, then hard-wired it a locally mounted Ethernet box, where
>I mounted a fuse holder, and a cord/plug exits the box and plugs into
>the wall 120VAC outlet. Plugged in the power supply brick to the PoE
>outlet and plugged in the power to the AP, plugged in the network
>cables on both ends, and the AP works without problems! No effect on
>speed or reliability. I could not detect any extra voltage induced
>onto the data pairs.
>
>I did run into one (self-created) problem the next day, when I could
>not contact the AP, and it would not respond to pings. The AP blew
>the 0.3 Amp fuse that I had installed. The AP power supply said it
>draws 0.5 Amp @ 120VAC, and as most devices almost never actually draw
>their rated consumption, I was being very conservative when I selected
>the fuse value of 0.3 Amp. It turns out, this AP does draw something
>close to it's actual rating (probably when I upped the power output of
>the AP,) so I have now replaced the fuse with a 1 Amp version, and I
>have had no further issues. The 1 Amp fuse is still *way* within what
>Cat5 will carry.
>
>Anyway, even though Cat5 is not certified for 120VAC, it works for me.
> As mentioned elsewhere, ISDN is already running at 90 Volts.
>

This has to be a troll, right ?

>--
>BRENT - The Usenet typo king.

Long live the king. All hail the new king.







--
Al Dykes
-----------
(E-Mail Removed)

"Al Dykes" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:bl81sl$l6b$(E-Mail Removed)...
> In article <(E-Mail Removed)>,
> Brent Geery <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >I tried the idea of running 120VAC over Cat5e cable.
> >
> >On the remote end, I mounted a surface mounted 120VAC socket to a
> >Ethernet box, then hard-wired it a locally mounted Ethernet box, where
> >I mounted a fuse holder, and a cord/plug exits the box and plugs into
> >the wall 120VAC outlet. Plugged in the power supply brick to the PoE
> >outlet and plugged in the power to the AP, plugged in the network
> >cables on both ends, and the AP works without problems! No effect on
> >speed or reliability. I could not detect any extra voltage induced
> >onto the data pairs.
> >
> >I did run into one (self-created) problem the next day, when I could
> >not contact the AP, and it would not respond to pings. The AP blew
> >the 0.3 Amp fuse that I had installed. The AP power supply said it
> >draws 0.5 Amp @ 120VAC, and as most devices almost never actually draw
> >their rated consumption, I was being very conservative when I selected
> >the fuse value of 0.3 Amp. It turns out, this AP does draw something
> >close to it's actual rating (probably when I upped the power output of
> >the AP,) so I have now replaced the fuse with a 1 Amp version, and I
> >have had no further issues. The 1 Amp fuse is still *way* within what
> >Cat5 will carry.
> >
> >Anyway, even though Cat5 is not certified for 120VAC, it works for me.
> > As mentioned elsewhere, ISDN is already running at 90 Volts.
> >
>
> This has to be a troll, right ?


Maybe not a troll, but children do tend to revel in their achievements, and
anyone who doesn't agree is stealing thunder.

I hope everyone gets out of his parents house alive when it starts to burn.

Bill