What is PoE lighting and how is it different from regular commercial lighting?
PoE (Power over Ethernet) lighting uses standard Cat cable to deliver both power and data to light fixtures — eliminating the need for separate 120V electrical runs to each fixture. This means low-voltage installation without a licensed electrician for the fixture wiring itself, easier retrofits in existing buildings, and native network control for dimming, color temperature, scheduling, and automation. PoeWit PoE lighting integrates directly with Control4 and supports UPS battery backup for outage protection.
Can PoE panel lights replace the fluorescent troffers in my office or retail space?
Yes — that's exactly what they're designed for. PoeWit's PT-22 and PT-24 panel lights are drop-in replacements for standard 2×2 and 2×4 fluorescent troffers in commercial dropped ceilings. The PT-22 produces 5,000 lumens and the PT-24 delivers 7,700 lumens, with tunable white color temperature from 4000K to 6000K and smooth dimming. The remote PoE driver mounts away from the fixture, keeping the ceiling profile clean and low-voltage at the light itself.
Can a PoE wall pack also power my security camera?
Yes. PoeWit wall packs include PoE passthrough ports that allow a single Ethernet drop to simultaneously power the wall pack and pass PoE power to downstream devices. The WP-4-PT2 includes two passthrough ports and the WP-6 Advanced model includes a four-port PoE passthrough driver. This means one Cat cable run from your network closet can power a wall pack, a security camera, and a motion sensor — eliminating three separate wiring pulls for a single exterior location.
Does PoE lighting integrate with Control4?
Yes. PoeWit has native Control4 and Crestron drivers. As a Control4 Gold Dealer, we program PoE lighting directly into your building automation — dimming levels, color temperature, scheduling, and scene integration all managed from the same interface as your AV, security, and access control. Practical examples: exterior wall packs that illuminate when your security system detects motion, interior panels that dim automatically when a "Close" scene runs, or color temperature that shifts from 4000K to 6000K midday on a schedule.
What happens to PoE lighting during a power outage?
PoeWit PoE lighting is compatible with UPS battery backup. By adding a UPS to the PoE switch powering your lighting, critical fixtures — exterior security wall packs, entry lighting, and key interior zones — continue operating during an outage. Since cameras and motion sensors connected via passthrough ports are also on the same circuit, your entire exterior security and lighting node stays active when the power goes down.
Is PoE lighting more cost-effective than traditional commercial lighting for a new build or renovation?
For projects already running structured cabling for AV or security — which is most commercial builds we take on — yes. The incremental cost of adding PoE lighting to an existing cabling pull is significantly lower than a separate electrical mobilization. Traditional commercial lighting requires licensed electricians running 120V conduit to every fixture. PoE lighting shares the same Cat cable infrastructure as your cameras, access points, and intercoms. When all low voltage work is coordinated into a single pull, the installed cost of PoE lighting is highly competitive with conventional alternatives — and the ongoing control and automation value is well beyond what traditional lighting can offer.
