System and method for providing electrical power over communication cabling

The invention discloses a power supply subsystem for providing electrical power to at least node over communication cabling, the power supply subsystem comprising: at least one of a power supply interface and a combiner for distributing power into the communication cabling substantially without interfering with data communication; and current limiting circuitry (408) controlling current of said power distributed into said communication cabling via said power supply interface, wherein said current limiting circuitry is operative to provide a first current limit level which is never exceeded, and a second current limit level which is not exceeded for more than a predetermined period of time.