If I wanted to power ESP32-CAM with POE, would I need to step it down?

Third party integrations
1

So I would think that I would have a problem if I simply connected the hot lead coming from the POE Switch to the 5V pin on any microcontroller.

Rather than blow something up, what is the right way to take a single Cat5 cable and A) power a single microcontroller, or B) split that power at the end of the Cat5 cable and deliver power to multiple microcontrollers?

2

Use one of these (assuming your esp32 module can accept 5V):

UCTRONICS IEEE 802.3af Micro USB Active PoE Splitter Power Over Ethernet 48V to 5V 2.4A for Tablets, Dropcam or Raspberry Pi (48V to 5V 2.4A) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MDLUSE7

3

Or get an esp with POE built in.

4

Also, unless you force PoE on the port at the switch or with a power injector, it typically has to be negotiated between the switch and the connected device. Some devices ask for the older non-standard 24V passive, others negotiate the 48V 802.3af (12W per device) or 802.3at (25W per device).

Edit: 24V passive PoE is forced PoE at the switch. 802.3af/802.3at is negotiated between the devices. There is 48V passive 802.3af, but it’s typically negotiated.