PSEUDO LOAD SHARING FOR POWER OVER ETHERNET APPLICATIONS

A network device providing pseudo load sharing capabilities using low-cost power supplies that do not have active load sharing. Each of the power supplies is connected to a corresponding power rail that delivers power to a corresponding subgroup of the PoE ports of the network device. A switchable link is connected between the power rails and is controlled based on the power outputs of the power supplies. If both power supplies are providing output power at acceptable voltages, a switch component of the switchable link remains open, so that each power supply delivers power to its own separate subgroup of the PoE ports. If the output voltage of one of the power supplies falls below a threshold voltage, a switch component of the switchable link is closed to electrically connect the two power rails, allowing PoE ports of both subgroups to draw power from the remaining power supply.