Microchip Technology adds 90W industrial PoE midspan to networking range
Microchip Technology has added an industrial-grade Power over Ethernet midspan to its networking portfolio, targeting factory automation and outdoor connected-infrastructure deployments where existing network switches lack native PoE support. The PD-9601GCI, announced on 16 July 2026, conforms to the IEEE 802.3bt standard and delivers up to 90W alongside 10/100/1000 Mbps data rates over a single Ethernet cable.
The device is positioned as a retrofit option: midspans sit downstream of an existing network switch and inject power onto the Ethernet line without requiring switch replacement or additional electrical work. Microchip says the approach reduces installation complexity for manufacturers that want to bundle a plug-and-play power solution with connected industrial equipment.
Product specifications
The PD-9601GCI is enclosed in a sealed, vibration-resistant metal housing rated to IP30. Its operating temperature range spans -40°C to 75°C, covering the thermal extremes common in outdoor enclosures and unheated factory environments. Power input accepts dual DC feeds in the 20V-60V range, providing redundancy flexibility for industrial power architectures. The unit includes surge protection against voltage spikes and supports DIN rail, wall, and panel mounting.
Microchip also confirmed the product has undergone compatibility testing with industrial automation devices, a step the company says reduces integration risk for equipment manufacturers. A private-label option is available, allowing original equipment manufacturers to offer the midspan as a branded, integrated power accessory within their own product lines.
Charlie Forni, corporate vice president of Microchip's networking and connectivity business unit, said the midspan addresses a specific gap in the installed base: "In a market where many existing networks don't fully support PoE's convenient single-cable deployment models, our industrial-grade PD-9601GCI midspan makes it easier for our customers to power their smart equipment in factories and industrial settings."
Market context
Industrial IoT connectivity is a growing sub-segment of the broader PoE market, driven by the proliferation of smart sensors, IP cameras, industrial wireless access points, and edge computing nodes that require both power and data at the device level. IEEE 802.3bt, ratified in 2018, raised the maximum power delivery ceiling to 90W, enabling a wider class of high-draw devices to run on a single cable infrastructure.
Microchip competes in this space against dedicated networking component vendors including Maxim Integrated (now part of Analog Devices), Texas Instruments, and Silvertel, as well as systems-level competitors offering managed PoE switches with integrated power sourcing. The midspan category serves a distinct niche: brownfield deployments where switch replacement is impractical or cost-prohibitive.
The company cites over 25 years of PoE development experience and a role in the original IEEE 802.3af/at/bt standardisation process, credentials that matter to industrial buyers conducting supplier qualification under frameworks such as IEC 62443 for industrial automation security or ISO 26262 for functional safety in adjacent automotive contexts. Neither framework is mentioned in the release, but procurement teams in regulated industrial sectors routinely apply them to network infrastructure components.
The PD-9601GCI is available now in production quantities through Microchip's direct sales channel and authorised distributors. No pricing was disclosed in the release.