PoE not powering

[brettonw]

I have 2 ESP32-POE-IS-16MB boards. One works, the other doesn't.

I am programming them for ESPHome as Bluetooth Proxies, as follows:

1) Connect via USB-micro
2) Load firmware/program via ESPHome Website (https://esphome.io/projects/?type=bluetooth)
3) Unplug USB
4) Plug Ethernet with PoE

One of the boards works fine. The other appears to work while programming, but after unplugging from the USB it never gets power from the PoE (no lights, no link).

It's the same ethernet cable for both, connected to a Unifi managed PoE++ switch with plenty of power capacity, and normally used to run another PoE accessory.

Do I have a bad board, or is there something I need to do to turn on PoE functionality?

[LubOlimex]

Each ESP32-POE-ISO-16MB board is tested here with PoE powering. Chances of dead on delivery board are slim.

It could be anything poor code, QoS or firewall filtering of the ESP32 board, poor network settings.

Let's first rule out software problems - test with another software. Test with the LAN8720 demo from Arduino IDE.

First install the  Espressif package for ESP32 for Arduino IDE (refer to this: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/arduino-esp32/en/latest/installing.html). Then select ESP32-POE-ISO from the list and select 16MB PSRAM (refer to the picture below), then load the LAN demo, it is available from Examples -> Ethernet -> ETH_LAN8720. After compilation and download are done, open serial monitor on the port to see if it successfully connects (you can also ping the address it gets).

It is imperative to enable the 16MB PSRAM!



Does the issue persist with the Arduino IDE demo?

[brettonw]

I built the ETH-LAN demo in the Arduino IDE, and uploaded it to the board via the USB interface. After reset, I disconnected the USB and plugged in the PoE ethernet - and the board does not power up.

I've tried multiple ethernet cords, and this is plugged into a high-end, new Unifi PoE++ switch that works with every other PoE device I have on my desk. I'm certain it's not the switch or the cord.

I tried powering the board with USB while connected via ethernet cable, and it works in that case - but disconnecting the USB kills the power. The board is not picking up PoE power. The switch reports no power draw on the port.

[LubOlimex]

Feels like the PoE part failed somehow. Contact us over the e-mail - support@olimex.com - provide a link to this thread and purchase number to save some time.