What is Fault-Managed Power and Why is it Gaining Momentum?

As buildings become more digital, electrified and device-dense, traditional power distribution models are showing their limits. Facilities teams are under pressure to reduce installation complexity and improve safety. IT teams are being asked to support and monitor thousands of edge devices. Technology leaders must scale infrastructure while managing demanding schedules and controlling costs and risks.

A Fault-Managed Power System (FMPS) addresses all three of these challenges. By combining high power delivery, long reach, and continuous electronic fault protection, an FMPS bridges the gap between low-power Power over Ethernet (PoE) and traditional branch circuits. It enables power to be planned, deployed, and managed with the same discipline as modern data networks without sacrificing safety or code compliance.

For facilities managers, this means easier installation, fewer conduits, fewer shutdowns, and centralized backup. For IT managers, it means power becomes a managed, visible service. For CTOs, it creates a scalable, future-ready electrification strategy that reduces stranded infrastructure.

The basics of fault-managed power

Introduced as Class 4 power in the 2023 National Electric Code, an FMPS behaves less like a traditional electrical circuit and more like a managed network service. Power delivery, fault protection, and monitoring are handled by intelligent electronics rather than by passive devices such as fuses and breakers.

A typical FMPS consists of three primary elements: a transmitter, a Class 4 multi-conductor cable, and a receiver. The transmitter accepts building power and converts it to high voltage DC that is transmitted via a pulsed waveform to a receiver via a Class 4 cable. The receiver then converts the power back to AC or lower voltage DC. For many FMPS systems, one transmitter can support multiple receivers.

The key difference between an FMPS and traditional power distribution is active fault management at the transmitter rather than continuous current flow. Traditional circuits allow fault energy to build until a breaker or fuse trips. In an FMPS, the transmitter continuously monitors the electrical characteristics of the cable and delivers energy in short pulses. If a cable is cut, touched, or damaged, the electrical characteristics of the cable change and the transmitter immediately stops sending pulse,s preventing fault energy from accumulating (Figure 1). The resulting fault energy is effectively equivalent to static electricity. 

This approach enables safe delivery of higher voltage, higher power, and longer reach using structured cabling practices without conduit while mitigating the risk of electric shock and fire. Because these risks are actively mitigated, Class 4 FMPS can be installed by low-voltage technicians (no licensed electrician required) and handled like Class 2 data or PoE cabling. FMPS cables can also be routed alongside data cables, reducing the need for additional pathways and separate cable runs.

FMPS use cases

Class 4 fault-managed power is well suited for environments where devices are widely distributed, power requirements exceed PoE, and traditional branch circuits would add cost or complexity. These characteristics make FMPS a strong fit for a range of commercial, industrial, and outdoor applications. Some example use cases include:

• Power Edge Devices: FMPS enables centralized power delivery to edge switches, compute nodes, cameras, digital signage, and other devices that require more power than a PoE system can provide. Some systems can provide substantial power up to 2 km (6,500 feet).
• Power Outdoor Venues: FMPS supports temporary and permanent outdoor deployments such as stadiums, event spaces, and transportation corridors by powering Wi-Fi, lighting, displays, and security cameras. In permanent installations, locating the FMPS transmitter and UPS indoors improves reliability, extends battery life, and reduces service visits by keeping critical power equipment out of harsh environmental conditions.
• Remote Power Control: FMPS allows maintenance teams to remotely de-energize the entire system or individual receivers when connected devices require servicing, thereby eliminating the need for physical access to power sources.
• Device Recovery: FMPS enables operations teams to remotely power-cycle edge devices without physically accessing them. This is particularly useful for devices installed in hard-to-access locations.
• Distributed UPS (Figure 2): Instead of maintaining multiple small UPS units throughout a facility, FMPS can centralize backup power at the transmitter. Devices connected to the system ride through outages using a single, centrally managed UPS, reducing maintenance burden and improving battery life.

Key takeaways

Class 4 fault-managed power offers a modern alternative to both PoE and traditional branch circuits for environments with distributed devices and growing power demands. By actively controlling fault energy at the source, FMPS enables higher-voltage, longer-distance power delivery using structured cabling methods while maintaining a strong safety profile and code compliance.

This model simplifies installation, reduces reliance on conduit and local power supplies, and allows power infrastructure to be deployed and managed with the same rigor as network systems. Centralized power, remote control, and unified backup improve operational resilience while lowering maintenance overhead. The result is a power architecture that better aligns facilities, IT, and technology planning.

Learn more about FMPS

For new builds, expansions and infrastructure upgrades, FMPS is worth considering wherever PoE falls short or traditional electrical distribution adds unnecessary cost and complexity. At WWT, our FMPS approach enables power and connectivity to be engineered as a single system, supporting faster deployment today and greater flexibility as device density and edge requirements continue to evolve. 

To learn more about how your enterprise can benefit from our FMPS offerings, please contact one of our facilities and infrastructure team experts or your WWT account team.