Power over Fiber residential application

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using Power over Fiber technology for residential applications, particularly the challenges associated with power transmission via optical fibers. Participants explore the limitations of current technology, efficiency concerns, and potential applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that Power over Fiber is currently "impossible" for broad residential applications due to poor conversion efficiency, particularly at higher power levels.
  • Another participant notes that powering home electronics requires more power than can be delivered optically and highlights the difference in wiring topologies between power and fiber optics.
  • Concerns are raised about the inefficiency of laser power generation and the use of solar panels for power reception.
  • A participant speculates on the dangers of high-power laser light if the fiber were to break, suggesting safety issues.
  • There is mention of using existing power lines for data transmission, although the noise levels in the required frequency bands are questioned.
  • One participant expresses a desire to eliminate "dirty electricity" and suggests that shielded cables might be a larger solution if fiber optics are not viable.
  • Another participant humorously misinterprets the thread title, indicating a light-hearted tone amidst the technical discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the significant challenges and inefficiencies associated with Power over Fiber technology for residential use. However, there are multiple competing views regarding potential solutions and alternative methods for power and data transmission, leaving the discussion unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on current technology for power transmission efficiency, unresolved concerns about safety with high-power lasers, and the effectiveness of alternative solutions like shielded cables versus fiber optics.

Jimcanada
I have a problem that can't be solved.

So then, I put it to this Physics Forum to see if anyone comes up with a brain storm ( or directs me to a solution which my expert may have been unaware of ).

Doing Power over Fiber is "impossible" today for a broad-based residential application because the conversion is so poor ... once you get up to 20 watts you only get 15-20 % maximum.
As such, it has very limited application in small electronics. The cost also is prohibitive.

My objective is fiber optically wired homes doing not just data but power as well.
Evidently, the power part is not possible. Does that apply as well if the power is DC?

Any ideas? Thanks
( and pardon me if my questions and statements lack clarity or rigor ).
 
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Jimcanada said:
I have a problem that can't be solved.

So then, I put it to this Physics Forum to see if anyone comes up with a brain storm ( or directs me to a solution which my expert may have been unaware of ).

Doing Power over Fiber is "impossible" today for a broad-based residential application because the conversion is so poor ... once you get up to 20 watts you only get 15-20 % maximum.
As such, it has very limited application in small electronics. The cost also is prohibitive.

My objective is fiber optically wired homes doing not just data but power as well.
Evidently, the power part is not possible. Does that apply as well if the power is DC?

Any ideas? Thanks
( and pardon me if my questions and statements lack clarity or rigor ).

Welcome to the PF. To power home electronics devices, you need much more power than can be delivered optically. Also, power wiring can be multi-drop, but FO connections are point-to-point. The difference in topologies means you will probably be running separate cables for each.
 
Thanks berkeman.

So then, nothing, anywhere that enables power over fiber in this type of an environment then eh? Don't mean to start my post so negative... rather than stating flatly " I have a problem that can't be solved."... might rather have added ... By Me!
 
Jimcanada said:
Thanks berkeman.

So then, nothing, anywhere that enables power over fiber in this type of an environment then eh? Don't mean to start my post so negative... rather than stating flatly " I have a problem that can't be solved."... might rather have added ... By Me!

Well, what kind of devices were you hoping to power? Can you list some explicit examples, and the power required by each?
 
The generation of the laser power source is inefficient, and receiving the power using some sort of solar panels is even more inefficient.
 
Think what would happen if you broke the fiber and had a mere 1200 watts of light out in your room. Sun glasses anyone?
 
dlgoff said:
Think what would happen if you broke the fiber and had a mere 1200 watts of light out in your room. Sun glasses anyone?

a couple of watts of laser beam is enough punch a hole in metal
 
You can, however, use the existing power lines to transmit data. I don't know how noisy they are in the frequency bands needed, however. (I do know friends who successfully communicated between one wall socket and another for their senior project, and there are commercial products that do so, also).
 
what said:
a couple of watts of laser beam is enough punch a hole in metal

Not emitted from the bare end of an optical fiber, it isn't.
 
  • #10
To berkeman, all product in a typical home - the works really.

In terms of "breaking the fiber", someone described a feedback loop-sensor to eliminate the possibility.

Regards to "solar panels is even more inefficient" ... yup and we would definitely want solar...
this is why I present the challenge to such an august group as this!

As far as using "existing power lines to transmit data" well, that is back to the problem we want to eliminate actually... dirty electricity.

The larger solution - if not fiber - becomes shielded cable. Thanks all.
 
  • #11
Hmmm...
When I read the title of this thread, I thought that it had something to do with bran buds as an enemy of plumbing. You can't even imagine my disappointment upon having read the post.
 
  • #12
Danger said:
Hmmm...
When I read the title of this thread, I thought that it had something to do with bran buds as an enemy of plumbing. You can't even imagine my disappointment upon having read the post.

LOL. Cherios give you power! :smile:
 
  • #13
berkeman said:
LOL. Cherios give you power! :smile:

But nothing like natchos and beer. If you plumbed my *** to a turbine, I could probably power half of North America. :biggrin:
 

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