We’re often asked if IntelliFlex I/O DC is a Power over Ethernet (PoE) system.
The short answer is no. We consider it Distributed DC, which we believe is a better solution for window shading systems.
Power Delivery Designed around Shades.
PoE was developed to power network devices like cameras, access points, and VoIP phones. Those devices have predictable power requirements and fit neatly within networking standards.
But shade motors are different. They draw higher current at startup and their power requirements vary based on shade size, fabric weight, speed, and torque.
Distributed DC is designed around what the motor actually needs, instead of squeezing a motor into a power budget created for IT hardware.
Connect the System, Not the Device.
PoE gives every device its own network connection, IP address, and switch port. That’s valuable for devices that need to live on the IT network. Shade motors don’t.
A motor needs power and a command. With Distributed DC, a single controller connects to the network and manages all attached motors. The motors themselves never become network devices.
Add 100 more motors to a Distributed DC system and the network stays essentially the same. Add 100 more motors to a PoE system and you’ve added 100 more endpoints for IT to power, address, and manage.
The Bottom Line:
PoE was built for network devices. Distributed DC was built for motorized shades.
That’s why IntelliFlex I/O DC isn’t a PoE system. It’s a shading-first power architecture that delivers the benefits of low-voltage distribution without turning every motor into an IT asset.
To learn more about IntelliFlex I/O DC, click here.
