UVC-LED gradually entering the PoE, suitable for installation in three different scenarios
※ What is POE？
POE, or Power Over Ethernet, is a technology that enables the transmission of data signals to IP-based terminals such as IP phones, wireless LAN access points (APs), network cameras, while also providing direct current power to these devices without any modifications to the existing Ethernet Cat.5 cabling infrastructure. POE is also known as Power over LAN (POL) or Active Ethernet, and sometimes simply referred to as Ethernet power. This technology leverages the existing Ethernet cabling standards to transmit both data and electrical power, ensuring compatibility with existing Ethernet systems and users.
The UVC-LED system is gradually making its way into Power over Ethernet (POE) applications. It is understood that there are currently three scenarios suitable for installing POE systems.
1. Residential POE Units
Currently, the UVC-LED system has firmly crossed the threshold of POE. The most striking "highlight" of this technology is its ability to handle water treatment for the entire household – not only drinking water, but also water used for showering, bathroom faucets, and other purposes.
This also signifies that the UVC-LED system now offers a completely feasible alternative to replace traditional mercury lamp systems. Traditional mercury lamps require preheating time and usually need to operate at full power to achieve sterilization effects, leading to the common occurrence of "hot water eruptions" after prolonged periods of inactivity.
Furthermore, in terms of intermittent household water usage, the advantages of a five-year LED replacement interval, energy savings, and the elimination of the need to handle waste mercury lamps make the LED solution more appealing.
2. Commercial Units
Due to the similarity in water flow rates between light commercial settings and residential environments, the characteristics of LEDs in the aforementioned POE applications make them equally applicable in "light commercial" settings. For example, in small community centers and arenas, small schools, small offices, fire halls, retail stores, and similar establishments.
Larger facilities can also install multiple POE modules in parallel. With advancements in research and market demand, the cost and space requirements of LED systems will continue to decrease in the near future, leading to the introduction of systems more suitable for various commercial applications.
3. Municipal Units
By nature, urban water treatment systems have the highest flow rates. Another consideration here is the typical "multiple barrier approach," which usually combines ultraviolet disinfection with residual chlorine provision. When employing this method, significant ultraviolet power is required for all systems, often dominated by traditional mercury lamp technology for a period of time.
However, LED technology for UVC applications is advancing rapidly, with costs, power consumption, and efficiency continually improving. Therefore, the future trend is expected to gradually reverse, a trend that is already evident from the LED disinfection and Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) municipal system trials launched in the United Kingdom.
Regarding the total market size for POE UV:
if we only consider residential and light commercial applications with flow rates typically ranging from 5 to 15 gallons per minute (20 to 60 liters per minute), the estimated market size for this segment is approximately $300 million annually, equivalent to around 300,000 systems worldwide.
