Method and apparatus for distribution of power in a media converter system

A method for distributing power in a media converter system, comprising:

• receiving an input voltage into a first converter;
• converting the input voltage to an intermediate DC voltage;
• transferring the intermediate DC voltage and ground to a remotely located second converter by applying the intermediate DC voltage and ground to an RJ-45 patch cord that has eight pins, wherein pins 1 and 2 carry a same potential, pins 3 and 6 carry a same potential, pins 4 and 5 carry a same potential, and pins 7 and 8 carry a same potential;
• and
• converting the intermediate DC voltage to an output voltage.

An apparatus for distributing power in a media converter system, comprising:

• at least one first converter that converts an input voltage to an intermediate DC voltage, the at least one first converter having a connector of a first type;
• a power connection module having a connector of the first type;
• a bus having at least two connectors of a second type that are mates to the connectors of the first type;
• at least one power cable with RJ-45 jacks;
• wherein the at least one first converter and the power connection module are connectable to any of the bus connectors not occupied, wherein the at least one power cable is connectable to the power connection module to carry the intermediate DC voltage and ground, and wherein the RJ-45 jacks of the at least one power cable have eight pins, wherein pins 1 and 2 carry a same potential, pins 3 and 6 carry a same potential, pins 4 and 5 carry a same potential, and pins 7 and 8 carry a same potential.

A method for distributing power in a media converter system, comprising:

• providing at least one first converter that converts an input voltage to an intermediate DC voltage, the at least one first converter having a connector of a first type;
• providing a power connection module having a connector of the first type;
• providing a bus having connectors of a second type that are mates to the connector of the first type;
• providing at least one power cable with RJ-45 jacks that have eight pins that carry the intermediate DC voltage and ground, wherein pins 1 and 2 carry a same potential, pins 3 and 6 carry a same potential, pins 4 and 5 carry a same potential, and pins 7 and 8 carry a same potential;
• selecting any of the bus connectors not occupied for insertion of the at least one first converter;
• selecting any of the bus connections not occupied for insertion of the power connection module;
• and
• electrically connecting the at least one power cable to the power connection module.