Hi all,
As it seems some Ethernet runs are planned for today, I was thinking about power distribution also for the Beagle Bone Blacks (maybe not Blacks but anyhow) recc'd by Marc to control electronic access at each door needing it.
Stringing extension cords & wall warts from ea. BBB - door set is both not code-worthy (if an inspector really wanted to bust our balls since 'permanent' extension cords are called out), multiple AC>DC conversion is also power-inefficient, prone to power loss/unplugging & and may require further electrical work to bring outlets closer to some doors..
Since I understood that BBB's don't accept Power over Ethernet (PoE) I was considering central low-voltage power distribution through a single Variac-type DC power supply, DC PDU, PowerPole connectors and the zipline of appropriate gauge for the runs to deliver ~5VDC at the BBB endpoints (I have done this before).
However (even if it is not as power-efficient) if we are injecting at Sudo's racks it seems we could use Ethernet for power if we inject 12VDC PoE, then break it out at the end to a cheap 12>5VDC adapter which could in turn feed the 5VDC port on the BBB's - check out the last post of:
If we're running the thicker-gauge pairs in cat6 (compared to Cat5(e)), we might be able to get away with 5VDC injectors but probably the injection point would have to be more centralized within the building than the racks in sudo room - like in the basement furnace room e.g., which makes most sense to me as the central distribution point for Ethernet runs around the building, due to it's centrality, the ease of running into/along ducting/registers, proximity to the basement, perimeter crawlspaces, the ease of lateral runs through the basement, etc.
Love
David