The Fault-Managed Power Alliance: Where Industry Leaders Unite

When the 2023 version of the National Electrical Code (NEC) was released, it brought with it the introduction of a new type of power circuit: fault-managed power (FMP), also known as Class 4.

These systems are so unique and specialized that they required their own code section. As a result, a new classification was created within the NEC to standardize Class 4 as an improved format of power delivery. Within the NEC, the technology is referred to as Class 4 and fault-managed power. Outside of the NEC, it is also known as packet energy transfer (PET), Digital Electricity™ (DE), pulsed power, and smart transfer systems.

Accelerating FMP Adoption

Fault-managed power systems are already being deployed in intelligent buildings and environments—from hotels and stadiums to schools, manufacturing plants, and public transportation agencies.

As we help our customers connect more devices to their networks and acquire, transmit, orchestrate, and manage critical data, Belden has already been involved in several successful fault-managed power projects in partnership with VoltServer, the creator of Digital Electricity.

As we work hard to bring projects like these to life, we know that other power technology leaders are moving in the same direction, too. We wondered: Instead of working individually to advance fault-managed power adoption and help the industry discover its benefits, what if we formed a group to collectively accelerate innovation?

To maximize impact, we put our heads together with other thought leaders to form the Fault-Managed Power (FMP) Alliance, which was officially announced in April 2024. The group is made up of five industry leaders, including Belden, that joined forces to advocate for, promote, and accelerate fault-managed power adoption across their respective industries.

Introducing the Fault-Managed Power Alliance

The Fault-Managed Power Alliance is dedicated to progressing the development and adoption of fault-managed power technology to enhance power-system safety, reliability, and efficiency. It also promotes collaboration among and partnerships between organizations, government entities, and stakeholders who share an interest in advancing fault-managed power technology.

As a founding member, Belden aims to accelerate widespread adoption and advancement of FMP among organizations that are moving toward digital transformation.

The consortium is shaped and directed by three goals:

• We want to lead the industry by coming together and acting as a unified voice that emphasizes the merits and applications of fault-managed power across many industries.
  
  
• We want to advocate for industry standards by contributing to and offering our expertise and insights on fault-managed power standards and regulations.
  
  
• We want to provide education and awareness by helping stakeholders understand the benefits of fault-managed power technology and fostering awareness about its transformative potential.

Defining Fault-Managed Power

Fault-managed power brings a new level of intelligence to power delivery, with the ability to manage and mitigate fault conditions safely. Instead of limiting power source output (how much power the power supply can deliver), which is how Class 2 and Class 3 systems operate, Class 4 systems limit energy available during a fault event.

What does this mean? To ensure safety, a transmitter and receiver control power delivery and continuously monitor for faults. When water splashes onto Class 4 circuits, or when someone touches exposed Class 4 wires in operation, the fault is detected right away (within milliseconds). Automatically, the system shuts down to prevent harm. This technology makes fault-managed power just as safe as—if not safer than—Class 2 and Class 3 systems.

Class 4 circuits provide the convenience and safety of low-voltage power, just like PoE (Power over Ethernet); however, Class 4 also offers close to 20 times the power or distance of PoE, offering a safe complement to AC power. Class 4 circuits can also be installed in the same pathways and spaces as Category cabling uses.

To verify compliance with NEC requirements, Class 4 circuits must be certified. With Belden’s support, UL published UL 1400-2 as an Outline of Investigation (the first step toward a standard) to define safety considerations and criteria for evaluating Class 4 circuit cabling. Class 4 cable circuits will be certified to the published document.

Get Involved in FMP

As a pioneer of fault-managed power and its incorporation into the 2023 NEC and UL certification, we’re proud to help enable real-world conversations among our peers about what fault-managed power makes possible.

Because we want to create a dynamic, collaborative association, the FMP Alliance is actively seeking new members from a range of industries.

To learn more about the FMP Alliance, visit www.fmpalliance.org or contact info@fmpalliance.org.

Related Links:

• Class 4 Systems
• Industry First UL Certified Class 4 Cabling System
• Class 4 Power and Differences Between Circuit Classes