Can a PoE switch be powered by another PoE switch

A standard PoE switch generally cannot be powered by another PoE switch, but PoE pass-through or PoE-powered switches are designed to allow this setup.Standard PoE SwitchesMost PoE switches are designed to provide power to connected devices but are not capable of being powered via PoE themselves. Connecting a standard PoE switch to another PoE switch will allow data communication, but the downstream switch will still require its own AC power supply because the power draw is too high for typical PoE input to handle effectively .PoE-Powered or Pass-Through SwitchesSome switches are specifically designed to be PoE-powered (PD), meaning they can receive power from an upstream PoE source while simultaneously acting as a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) to power other devices. These are often called PoE pass-through switches. In this configuration:Certain ports are designated as PD ports to receive power.Other ports are PSE ports to provide power to connected devices.The total power budget must be considered to ensure the upstream switch can supply enough power for both the switch itself and any connected devices . Examples include the Netgear GS516TP and the Unifi Switch Flex Mini, which can operate without a direct AC connection and still provide PoE to downstream devices .Practical ConsiderationsPower Budget: Ensure the upstream PoE switch can supply sufficient wattage for the downstream switch and any connected devices.Port Designation: Only switches with PD-capable ports can be powered via PoE.Compatibility: Standard PoE switches without pass-through capability cannot be powered by another PoE switch.Connection Type: Use standard Ethernet cables; auto-MDI/MDI-X ports simplify connections between switches .SummaryWhile you cannot power a typical PoE switch from another PoE switch, you can do so if the downstream switch is specifically designed as a PoE-powered or pass-through switch. Always check the switch specifications and power requirements before attempting this setup to avoid overloading the upstream switch or causing network instability.