If the status of the powered communications ports 158(1), 158(2) has changed (block 224), the current power settings of the powered communications ports 158(1), 158(2) is also re-evaluated. In this regard, if the first powered communications port 158(1) is connected (block 238), the controller 176 obtains the class of the PD 156(1) connected to the powered communications port 158(1) from the PSE 170 (block 240). The controller 176 determines if the available power budget is sufficient to power the PD 156(1) at its class rating (block 242). If so, the controller 176 directs the PSE 170 to enable the powered communications port 158(1) to provide power to the PD 156(1) connected to the powered communications port 158(1) (block 244). For example, if the available power budget is 16 Watts, a PoE Class 3 PD 156(1) rated at 15.4 Watts connected to a powered communications port 158(1) can be powered, and thus the powered communications port 158(1) is enabled. However, if a PoE Class 4 PD 156(1) rated at 30 Watts or less is connected to a powered communications port 158(1), the powered communications port 158(1) is disabled since the available power budget is less than 30 Watts.