Generally that is the case. The specs for the switch should provide definitive guidance. It may be obscure, like saying 802.3af -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_over_Ethernet#Standards_developmentIf my 8-port PoE switch has a total power budget of 60W, and I only use it to provide power to 4 ports, can I assume that I've got 15W per port available?
When you talk power budget with poe it is not so much a money thing or saving thing. It is how is power being divided between the devices on the switch and how many devices you can connect. Not sure why they use the word "budget" rather than say "capacity" but it has always been called that since I heard it years ago.And I am compelled to ask about the reason(s) that power management is a concern.
Certainly, saving energy and any corresponding costs is important.
However, a few watts here and there, could be offset by simply turning off something else - a light switch perhaps.
We don't know, because you haven't identified the make and model of your switch.@Ralston18 - fleshing out my situation a little more could be instructive. I have 4 access points. Each of these has a max power consumption of 12.4 watts.
Does my 8 port PoE switch divide its total power budget of 60w by 8 ports leaving me with only 7.5w per port? If this was the correct interpretation, I would short my devices on power - they might not even work.
On the other hand, if I only use 4 ports, will my power situation give me 60/4, or 15w per port? This would give all 4 devices all the power they needed.