Fiber cable system developer TE Connectivity (News - Alert) has announced its Power over Ethernet (PoE) extender that has multiplied its nominal reach of 100 meters up to 3,000 meters for powered Ethernet. This innovation is expected to influence a wide array of industries, including wearable tech.

Although the extension of PoE is multiple times what it once was, it is more than just eye candy for prospective businesses. This extension means that electronics companies can now use powered Ethernet with devices such as closed-circuit cameras, Wi-Fi access points, small cell network endpoints, and digital signs. Most importantly, they can use those devices without requiring a secondary power source; they will no longer be tethered to the reach of Ethernet cables and electrical outlets.

Mark Hesling, the global vice president of product management at TE Connectivity, said this development allows network architects to extend their reach farther than even before.

“The PoE extender takes Ethernet-powered devices where they've never been before, making it possible for network architects to build massive deployments within a PoE infrastructure,” Hesling commented.

The PoE extender is more than just a glorified power cable with built-in Ethernet. It offers network developers and end users spike protection in case of a power surge, electromagnetic interference, or lighting strikes. The device also comes with simple plug-and-play installation for quick deployment in any area. TE Connectivity suggests that the extender could allow for installation of CATV cameras in a central city location or provision of Wi-Fi hotspots in a city riverside walkway.

This can significantly reduce the strain of installing such devices on city officials and anyone in a similar position. The PoE extender comes with its own power conversion system that can regulate the amount of DC power presented to available devices. It also meets both NEC (News - Alert) Class II and SELV electrical standards. The extender is expected to enter the public market in June and will then have the power to transform the industry with its reach.

TE Connectivity is also making known its intention to affect the world of wearables. It is now a Gold Sponsor of the Wearable Technology Conference and Expo which will take place this July. The types of devices listed above are intimately aligned with wearables—especially Wi-Fi—and TE Connectivity's booth should have a lot to say about its influence in the growing market.