For PoE and PoE++, cable gauge is not an academic detail. 23-AWG Cat6e has lower resistance than thin 24–26-AWG cable, which means less heat and less voltage drop in big PoE bundles. This guide explains why GRID / POE-Jack® standardizes on 23-AWG Cat6e cabling in Canadian buildings, and when lighter-gauge Cat6 is fine versus when 23-AWG is the safer engineering default.
23-AWG Cat6e vs Cat6 for PoE++ in Canada: Voltage Drop & Heat Rise (2026)
Recommended 23-AWG PoE cable (Canada)
If you’re designing PoE++ (802.3bt) or dense PoE bundles, start with a proper horizontal. This is the baseline cable referenced throughout GRID / POE-Jack® patterns.
Primary pick
POEJC6E-CMP — 23-AWG Cat6e Plenum (PoE-Ready)
- Lower DC resistance for less voltage drop on long runs
- More thermal headroom in bundled PoE++ cable trays
- Plenum rating for common Canadian ceiling spaces (verify per AHJ)
Common endpoint pattern
APOEJK2-WH — Active POE-Jack® In-Wall PoE Switch
Turns one PoE/PoE++ uplink into multiple powered ports at the wall — fewer home runs, cleaner installs.
Core “power plant”
PoE Switches for PoE++ builds
High-power PoE designs succeed or fail on budget + thermal discipline. Pair 23-AWG horizontals with a real PoE core.
Quick answer – 23-AWG vs 24-AWG for PoE in Canada
For PoE++ (802.3bt), long runs, and dense bundles, 23-AWG Cat6e is typically the safer default because it reduces voltage drop and heat rise. For short runs with low-power PoE (802.3af/at), standard Cat6 that meets spec is often fine.
Once you move into PoE++ (802.3bt Type 3/4), long horizontals, high-density trays, and warm mechanical spaces, conductor size starts to matter.
23-AWG Cat6e has thicker copper conductors than many 24–26-AWG cables, which typically gives you:
- Lower resistance per meter, so less I²R loss.
- Less heat rise in sustained PoE++ bundles.
- More delivered voltage at the far end of long runs.
- More margin for real buildings (tight plenums, risers, variable ambient).
In GRID / POE-Jack® patterns, 23-AWG Cat6e horizontals such as POEJC6E-CMP are treated as the “power feeder” to a zone, especially when feeding an in-wall PoE switch like APOEJK2-WH. That’s why cable gauge becomes a reliability decision, not a line-item debate.
Who this guide is for
This article is written for people who care about how PoE behaves on copper under load, not just the marketing line on a box.
- Engineers and advanced integrators designing PoE++ camera, AP and AV plants.
- Consultants and specifiers writing cable requirements and Division 27 notes.
- IT teams worried about PoE heat, voltage drop and long-term reliability.
- Canadian electrical/low-voltage contractors working in plenums, shafts and risers.
- Owners and facility managers who want PoE upgrades to survive the next refresh cycle.
Why does cable gauge matter for PoE?
PoE is DC power over copper. More current on higher-power PoE means more voltage drop and more heat. Lower resistance (thicker copper) reduces both.
PoE sends DC power and Ethernet data over the same twisted pairs. As current rises, two practical effects show up:
- Voltage drop – some voltage is lost as heat along the cable.
- Heat rise – copper warms up, especially in large bundles.
Thicker copper (lower AWG number) has lower resistance. Lower resistance means:
- Less power lost as heat for the same current (P = I²R).
- More voltage available at the Powered Device (PD).
- Less temperature rise in large bundles in ceilings and risers.
As PoE moved from ~15 W (802.3af) to ~30 W (802.3at) to higher-power PoE++ (802.3bt), allowed current per pair rose into the hundreds of milliamps. In real buildings, that current often runs in bundles, not free air.
Is 23-AWG Cat6e really better than 24-AWG Cat6 for PoE?
For higher-power PoE and long/bundled runs, yes: lower DC resistance means less I²R heating and less voltage drop. For low-power, short, lightly bundled runs, the difference may not matter.
The difference between 23-AWG and 24-AWG looks small on paper, but it shows up quickly when you run sustained power.
Conductor resistance – the core issue
24-AWG conductors typically have higher DC resistance than 23-AWG over the same distance. Because PoE heating is proportional to I²R, higher resistance means more heat rise and more voltage drop at the same load.
What that means for PoE++
Consider a simplified design condition:
- Higher-power PoE (PoE++) pushing sustained current.
- Horizontal runs approaching typical channel limits.
- Multiple cables grouped in trays/risers and constrained ceilings.
Lower-resistance horizontals keep loss and heat more manageable and leave more voltage for devices that are already close to minimum operating voltage. That’s why PoE++ design discipline often starts at the cable spec, not the endpoint.
Why “slim” 28-AWG is not a horizontal cable
Slim patch cords have their place in racks where space is tight and runs are short. They are not suitable as high-power horizontals:
- Higher resistance increases voltage drop over distance.
- Higher heat rise in bundles increases thermal risk.
- Real derating happens fast when cords are long and bundled.
Safe pattern: 23-AWG Cat6e/Cat6A for horizontals; short patch cords only where length and heat are controlled.
Do PoE cable bundles overheat in plenums?
They can. Heat rise increases with current, bundle size, and warm ambient spaces. That’s why PoE guidance focuses on bundle conditions and temperature rise—not just category rating.
Real PoE plants don’t run a single cable in free air—they run large bundles through variable conditions. That’s where cabling guidance (bundle size, power level, ambient temperature, construction) becomes relevant.
What PoE bundle guidance is trying to prevent
- Large tightly bound bundles running sustained high-power PoE.
- Warm plenums/risers/mechanical spaces adding ambient temperature to the rise.
- Cable temperatures exceeding jacket rating or eroding performance margin.
In Canadian buildings, many PoE bundles run through warm mechanical rooms, ceiling plenums, shared risers, and exterior transitions. If you’re feeding multiple high-power endpoints from a high-wattage core, 23-AWG horizontals help preserve margin against both voltage drop and thermal rise.
When is 24-AWG fine and when is 23-AWG the safer default?
Use lighter gauge for short, low-power patching. Use 23-AWG for PoE++ loads, long horizontals, dense bundles, and warm/unknown pathway conditions.
When 24-AWG (and short slim patch) is usually fine
- Short patch cords in open-air racks or desks.
- Low-power PoE devices near the switch (phones, light APs).
- Small bundles with few cables, not tightly constrained.
- Cool, conditioned telecom rooms with modest PoE density.
When you should insist on 23-AWG Cat6e horizontals
- PoE++ (Type 3/4) loads such as high-power cameras, multi-radio APs, AV endpoints, lighting and controls.
- Long horizontal runs (50–100 m) from core/IDF to edge zones.
- Dense bundles of 24+ cables in trays, plenums or risers.
- High-wattage PoE cores where many ports run near sustained load.
- Warm or poorly ventilated spaces – mechanical rooms, roof penthouses, crowded ceilings.
Rules of thumb for Canadian projects
- Treat 23-AWG Cat6e/Cat6A as the default for new high-power PoE builds.
- Limit 24–28-AWG to short patching where temperature and length are controllable.
- If you’re unsure, assume ambient is warmer and bundles are tighter than drawings show.
- Write “23-AWG solid copper, Cat6e or better, PoE-suitable” directly into the Division 27 spec.
Why POE-Jack® designs standardize on 23-AWG Cat6e
In zone cabling, the horizontal isn’t “just data”—it becomes a power feeder for multiple endpoints. That makes voltage drop and bundle heat a first-order design constraint.
GRID Networking / POE-Jack® is built around a DC microgrid over Ethernet: higher-wattage PoE switching at the core, Active POE-Jack® in-wall switching at the edge, and PoE-powered endpoints (APs, cameras, AV, controls) on those local ports.
In that world, horizontals are power feeders for PoE zones, not just data links. Standardizing on 23-AWG Cat6e makes the feeder more efficient and more tolerant of real pathway conditions.
Typical POE-Jack® zone
- One 23-AWG Cat6e home run from a PoE core (example SKUs: POEJK-S48-750E or POEJK-S48-3600).
- That cable lands on an APOEJK2-WH in-wall PoE switch plate.
- The plate powers/connects a Wi-Fi AP, a camera or AV endpoint, plus optional local control/touch endpoints.
POEJC6E-CMP as the baseline horizontal
Cables like POEJC6E-CMP are used as the default 23-AWG Cat6e horizontal:
- 23-AWG solid copper for lower DC resistance and better PoE performance.
- Space rating appropriate to common ceilings (confirm plenum/riser needs per jurisdiction and AHJ).
- Category performance for gigabit/multigigabit and future upgrades.
In practice, 23-AWG is the quiet reliability layer that reduces PoE heat issues and avoids the “mystery reboot” blame game.
Design patterns & recommended GRID combos
Use 23-AWG horizontals for high-power PoE and bundles. Use slim patch for short rack/desk dressing only. If your topology turns one feeder into multiple endpoints (zone cabling), treat 23-AWG as the baseline.
The table below shows how 23-AWG vs 24-AWG plays out in real scenarios. Adjust counts and wattage to your project.
| Scenario | Cable & hardware pattern | Why 23-AWG Cat6e wins | Canadian gotcha ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-density Wi-Fi on a floor |
1× 48-port PoE core (e.g. POEJK-S48-750E) + 23-AWG Cat6e (POEJC6E-CMP) horizontals + APs at jacks or via POE-Jack® plates. |
Dozens of AP drops in warm ceiling plenums benefit from lower resistance and better thermal margin. 23-AWG keeps voltage drop and heat rise more manageable under sustained load. | Avoid bundling all AP cables into one tight bundle; spread across ladder racking or multiple smaller bundles. |
| Camera rings around a building |
24–48 PoE cameras fed from PoE cores + 23-AWG Cat6e to exterior walls and soffits + POE-Jack® plates or junction points where needed. |
PTZ and IR cameras can draw higher power (especially at night). 23-AWG helps mitigate voltage sag and heat in longer runs and bundles. | Check cable and device temperature ratings for Canadian winter/summer extremes at exterior transitions and parkade levels. |
| AV & HDMI-over-IP over PoE |
PoE switch (e.g. POEJK-S8-240) in AV rack + 23-AWG Cat6e to APOEJK2-WH plates + PoE AV endpoints at displays. |
AV endpoints often live in warm cabinetry or tight spaces. 23-AWG reduces heating and stabilizes delivered voltage. | In tight AV furniture, avoid packing many PoE-loaded cables together with no airflow. |
| Mixed IoT / lighting / controls zone |
High-wattage PoE core feeding POE-Jack® plates + 23-AWG Cat6e horizontals into each zone + sensors, controllers and panels on local ports. |
Many devices create continuous load. Thicker conductors improve efficiency and reduce long-term thermal stress on cabling. | Coordinate trays/pathways early; drawings rarely reflect how tight bundles become after other trades fill the space. |
| Low-density office with light PoE |
24-AWG Cat6 horizontals + a few low-power phones/APs + short slim patch in racks. |
With low PoE density and short runs, Cat6 can be acceptable if properly rated and installed. 23-AWG remains the safer default if higher PoE loads are expected later. | If you expect future PoE upgrades, note that 24-AWG may limit expansion without recabling. |
Want to model copper length and cost for a full floor plate? Use the PoE-Jack® cost and cabling savings calculator.
Installer’s take – real-world cable gauge stories
The failure mode is usually the same: long runs + tight bundles + high load + thin copper. 23-AWG doesn’t fix bad design, but it adds margin where drawings are optimistic.
“The 24-AWG camera bundle that ran too hot”
One integrator inherited a large camera system in a Canadian parkade. 24-AWG Cat6 had been bundled tightly in warm ceiling spaces and run close to higher-power limits. Cameras rebooted in summer, especially on longer runs. After spot-checking voltage and temperature, they recabled the worst runs with 23-AWG Cat6e and saw:
- Lower bundle temperatures under load.
- More voltage at the cameras and fewer dropouts.
- Cleaner IR performance at night when power draw peaked.
“Specifying 23-AWG avoided the blame game”
On another job, the consultant wrote “23-AWG Cat6e suitable for PoE++” into the spec and called out POEJC6E-CMP by name on the drawings. When a value engineer tried to swap in thin generic Cat6, everyone had a clear reference. Years later the PoE plant is still stable without the “it’s probably the cables” finger-pointing.
Canada-ready checklist – 23-AWG Cat6e vs Cat6 for PoE
If you’re unsure, spec 23-AWG for PoE++ horizontals and keep slim patch short. Most future-proofing failures start with an underspecified horizontal.
- ✓ Decide if your project uses PoE++ (802.3bt) or mainly PoE/PoE+.
- ✓ For high-density / high-power PoE, specify 23-AWG Cat6e or Cat6A horizontals.
- ✓ Use 24–28-AWG only for short patch cords in open air, not long bundled horizontals.
- ✓ Check ambient temperatures and bundle sizes in plenums, risers and mechanical rooms.
- ✓ Call out a specific cable family (e.g., POEJC6E-CMP) to prevent weak substitutions.
- ✓ Align switch power budget with cable choice; don’t design a high-power plant on marginal horizontals.
- ✓ Document cable types and pathways for future upgrades; note where 23-AWG vs 24-AWG is installed.
FAQ – 23-AWG Cat6e vs Cat6 for PoE
Is 23-AWG really better than 24-AWG for PoE in practice?
Yes, especially beyond a handful of low-power devices. 23-AWG conductors typically have lower DC resistance than 24-AWG, which reduces heat rise and voltage drop on PoE cable runs and bundles. For PoE++ and dense plants, the extra margin is worth protecting.
How does cable gauge affect PoE++ voltage drop and device stability?
Higher-power PoE sends more current over the same pairs. Higher current through higher-resistance wire means more voltage lost as heat, leaving less voltage at the device. Thicker copper reduces resistance and helps endpoints boot reliably and stay online under load.
Do PoE cable bundles overheat in Canadian plenums?
They can if many high-power PoE cables are tightly bundled in warm plenums or risers. Using 23-AWG horizontals, controlling bundle sizes, and respecting ambient temperature helps keep cables within their rated temperature envelope.
When can I spec Cat6, and when should I insist on 23-AWG Cat6e?
Cat6 can be fine for short runs, low-power PoE, small bundles, and cool pathways. For long horizontals, high-density AP/camera plants, PoE++ loads, or warm ceiling spaces, treat 23-AWG Cat6e/Cat6A as the safer default—especially if you expect future PoE upgrades.
Does slim 28-AWG patch cord cause PoE issues?
Slim patch cord is useful for neat racks, but keep it short and avoid tight bundles under high load. Do not use slim patch as a horizontal cable for PoE++. Use 23-AWG for the permanent link, and keep patching short where heat and length are controllable.
Why do POE-Jack® designs standardize on 23-AWG Cat6e in Canada?
Because zone cabling often turns one horizontal into a power feeder for multiple endpoints via an in-wall PoE switch plate. That makes voltage drop and bundle heat more critical. 23-AWG Cat6e provides consistent margin for reliability in real Canadian pathways.
Code & specification reminder
Always design and install PoE cabling in accordance with local electrical and building codes and applicable standards. Verify cable ratings (CMP/CMR) for plenum and riser spaces, confirm operating temperature ranges for both cable and connected devices, and coordinate with IT, mechanical, electrical, and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) before locking in a high-power PoE topology.
Specifications and design recommendations are subject to change. Always confirm final details against the latest GRID Networking and POE-Jack® documentation and your specific project requirements before tender or construction.