[USG Flex H] - Max wattage PoE budget

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Hello,

As per datasheet, all the USG Flex H PoE models have max 30W as PoE budget.

I think is clear, but just to confirm, the max wattage (30W) is shared between ports (so between port P3 and P4, the PoE budget must be less than 30W) or is per port (so max 30W on port P2 and max 30W on port P3)?

Thank you

Best Answers

  • Zyxel_Luna
    Zyxel_Luna image  Zyxel Employee
    5 Answers First Comment Friend Collector
    Answer ✓
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    Hi @Maverick87 ,

    Currently, for the USG FLEX H series, if the total PoE power consumption exceeds 30W, the system operates as follows:

    • Scenario 1: When Port 3 and Port 4 are both supplying power (e.g., 13W + 13W), if a power spike during operation causes the total power to exceed 30W, the system will stop power delivery to Port 4 first to keep Port 3 running.
    • Scenario 2: When one port is actively supplying power (e.g., 20W) and a newly plugged-in device on another port requests 15W, the system will maintain power to the active port and deny power to the new device to ensure the stability of the currently running equipment.

    Regarding the feature to configure PoE port priority:

    Unfortunately, this feature is currently not supported. Thank you for sharing your feature request with us. We have forwarded your feedback to our product team for future consideration. You can view and contribute to this idea at the following link:

    Thank you for using Zyxel products and services.

  • Zyxel_Luna
    Zyxel_Luna image  Zyxel Employee
    5 Answers First Comment Friend Collector
    edited September 3 Answer ✓
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    Hi @Maverick87  ,

    Just to clarify, if two PoE ports are actively supplying power and total consumption exceeds 30W, the system will prioritize keeping Port 3 powered rather than whichever device was plugged in first. Therefore, we recommend connecting your highest-priority device to Port 3.

    The "first-plugged device takes priority" behavior in Scenario 2 only occurs when a newly connected device immediately requests power that would cause total consumption to exceed the power budget.

    The reboot behavior of the USG FLEX H series is similar to "Scenario 1" (where both PoE ports are in use simultaneously): if the total power demand exceeds 30W after powering on, the system will suspend power delivery to Port 4 and prioritize power to Port 3.

    However, exceptions may still occur depending on the characteristics of the powered devices (PDs). For example, after the USG FLEX H reboots, subtle timing differences in hardware detection and PD response between Port 3 and Port 4 can create a sequence variation. If the PD connected to Port 4 completes negotiation first and has the characteristic of immediately requesting high power upon connection (e.g., 25W), the USG FLEX H will allocate the power budget on a first-come, first-served basis.

    We understand your requirements and have submitted the feature request regarding 'PoE port priority management' to our product team for future consideration.

    Thank you for your feedback.

    Please refer to the following FAQs:

    [USG FLEX H] PoE Budget Specifications and Over-Budget Behavior

All Replies

  • Zyxel_Luna
    Zyxel_Luna image  Zyxel Employee
    5 Answers First Comment Friend Collector
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    Hi @Maverick87 ,

    Yes, that is correct. The maximum wattage (30W) stated in the datasheet is shared between the two ports (meaning the device will not deliver more than 30W of total power).

    Thank you for choosing Zyxel products and services. Please feel free to let us know if you have any further questions. Have a wonderful day!

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  • Maverick87
    Maverick87 image  Master Member
    Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - WLAN Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Nebula Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Security Zyxel Certified Sales Associate
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    Hi @Zyxel_Luna,

    Ok thank you, and there is a possibility to manage the port priority? For example, if I exceeded the 30W, what is the port that powering off? Can I specify what is the port that would like to power off?

    Thank you

  • Zyxel_Luna
    Zyxel_Luna image  Zyxel Employee
    5 Answers First Comment Friend Collector
    Answer ✓
    Options

    Hi @Maverick87 ,

    Currently, for the USG FLEX H series, if the total PoE power consumption exceeds 30W, the system operates as follows:

    • Scenario 1: When Port 3 and Port 4 are both supplying power (e.g., 13W + 13W), if a power spike during operation causes the total power to exceed 30W, the system will stop power delivery to Port 4 first to keep Port 3 running.
    • Scenario 2: When one port is actively supplying power (e.g., 20W) and a newly plugged-in device on another port requests 15W, the system will maintain power to the active port and deny power to the new device to ensure the stability of the currently running equipment.

    Regarding the feature to configure PoE port priority:

    Unfortunately, this feature is currently not supported. Thank you for sharing your feature request with us. We have forwarded your feedback to our product team for future consideration. You can view and contribute to this idea at the following link:

    Thank you for using Zyxel products and services.

  • Maverick87
    Maverick87 image  Master Member
    Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - WLAN Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Nebula Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Security Zyxel Certified Sales Associate
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    Hi @Zyxel_Luna,

    thank you.

    One another question:
    This behaviour (Scenario n. 2) forces to plug the "priority" device as first device, and then plug the other "expendable" device, but not explain how the priority works if both devices are already plugged in and the Flex H is rebooted or powered off then on.

    How the PoE priority works in this case?

    Thank you

  • Zyxel_Luna
    Zyxel_Luna image  Zyxel Employee
    5 Answers First Comment Friend Collector
    edited September 3 Answer ✓
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    Hi @Maverick87  ,

    Just to clarify, if two PoE ports are actively supplying power and total consumption exceeds 30W, the system will prioritize keeping Port 3 powered rather than whichever device was plugged in first. Therefore, we recommend connecting your highest-priority device to Port 3.

    The "first-plugged device takes priority" behavior in Scenario 2 only occurs when a newly connected device immediately requests power that would cause total consumption to exceed the power budget.

    The reboot behavior of the USG FLEX H series is similar to "Scenario 1" (where both PoE ports are in use simultaneously): if the total power demand exceeds 30W after powering on, the system will suspend power delivery to Port 4 and prioritize power to Port 3.

    However, exceptions may still occur depending on the characteristics of the powered devices (PDs). For example, after the USG FLEX H reboots, subtle timing differences in hardware detection and PD response between Port 3 and Port 4 can create a sequence variation. If the PD connected to Port 4 completes negotiation first and has the characteristic of immediately requesting high power upon connection (e.g., 25W), the USG FLEX H will allocate the power budget on a first-come, first-served basis.

    We understand your requirements and have submitted the feature request regarding 'PoE port priority management' to our product team for future consideration.

    Thank you for your feedback.

    Please refer to the following FAQs:

    [USG FLEX H] PoE Budget Specifications and Over-Budget Behavior

  • Maverick87
    Maverick87 image  Master Member
    Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - WLAN Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Nebula Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Security Zyxel Certified Sales Associate
    Options

    Hi @Zyxel_Luna,

    thank you very much for the details.

    It's good to ear, thank you.