Rugged 90 W PoE Midspan Targets Industrial IoT Deployments

Microchip Technology has added an industrial-grade member to its Power over Ethernet lineup with the PD-9601GCI, a single-port midspan that delivers up to 90 W over standard structured cabling. While the existing PC-9601GC is designed for indoor deployments, this newer variant targets factories, outdoor cabinets, and other settings where temperature swings, vibration, and unpredictable power sources make ordinary networking gear unreliable. The device supports 10/100/1000 Mbps data rates alongside power delivery, meeting the IEEE 802.3bt Type 4 specification while remaining backward compatible with 802.3af and 802.3at equipment already installed in the field.

Engineered for Harsh Environments

The midspan ships in a sealed, vibration-resistant metal enclosure rated IP30, a detail that matters once the unit leaves a climate-controlled server room. Ambient operating temperature spans -40°C to 65°C at the full 90 W output, rising to 75°C when the load is throttled back to 60 W. A dual DC input accepting 20 to 60 Vdc lets the device draw from whatever battery bank, solar controller, or local supply is available on site, and it pairs that flexibility with reinforced surge protection against the voltage spikes common on factory floors. Humidity tolerance reaches up to 90 percent non-condensing during operation and 95 percent in storage, while PVC-free, halogen-free construction and DIN rail mounting round out the package for cabinet integration.

Wireless access points and IP-connected terminals in warehouse and logistics settings rely on power delivered to locations that are often hard to wire conventionally. Image used courtesy of Adobe Stock

Specifications Worth Noting

Power reaches connected equipment at 54 Vdc nominal across four twisted pairs, using data pairs 1/2 and 3/6 alongside spare pairs 7/8 and 4/5, delivered through shielded RJ-45 jacks wired to EIA 568A and 568B pinouts. Front-panel indicators for Power 1, Power 2, Alarm, and PoE status allow a technician to diagnose a fault without opening a laptop. The enclosure measures 77.5 by 126 by 40.8 mm and weighs 675 g. Microchip backs it with a three-year warranty and an MTBF rating of 100,000 hours at 25°C. On the compliance side, the unit carries FCC Part 15 Class A, EN 55032 Class A, EN 55035, and VCCI marks for emissions and immunity, plus UL/IEC/EN 62368-1 for safety.

Extending an Established PoE Portfolio

The PD-9601GCI extends Microchip’s catalog of single- and multi-port PoE products, built over more than two decades, during which the company helped draft the 802.3af, 802.3at, and 802.3bt standards. Microchip also offers the midspan as a private-label option, allowing customers to integrate PoE power delivery into their own branded equipment rather than sourcing it separately. The PD-9601GCI/DC part number is now available in production quantities, either directly from Microchip or through its distributor network.

With 90 W available at the far end of a single cable, the PD-9601GCI enables remote powering for equipment that would otherwise require a dedicated electrical drop: wireless access points, pan-tilt-zoom cameras, and other IP-connected terminals scattered across a plant floor or tucked into an outdoor cabinet. With its extended temperature range, dual DC input flexibility, and sealed enclosure, the module appears well suited for engineers retrofitting Power over Ethernet into industrial networks that were never designed for remote power delivery.