Using a PoE switch for security cameras

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Using a PoE switch for security cameras

pwapwap

103 posts

Master Geek

#311525 24-Jan-2024 14:53

Hi all,

About to embark on setting up a home camera system. Keen to see if anyone here has some skills that might be able to help out.

Thinking I will put my DVR near my TV (so I can replay easily on the TV), which also happens to be where my OONT and Modem are. I currently have 1 x CAT6 Running into the ceiling running a PoE AP in another part of the house.

I was wondering if I could save on running extra cables into the ceiling space by making use of the 1 cable into the roof. Is it possible to run a small switch off a PoE supply and have that switch also supply onwards PoE to cameras.

Questions

does such a thing exist?
I assume that I will need to budget the power - injector will need to power the switch, as well as the cameras and line losses. Is it as simple as adding them up and making sure there is some overhead.
What about throughput?

Other notes

Ceiling space has good access
I currently don't have power outlets in the ceiling space
I have some dusty skills / tools and have terminated network cables myself in the past - but I just a nerdy Accountant so network architecture is not my A game.

TIA

nztim

3814 posts

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TEAMnetwork

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#3185899 24-Jan-2024 15:05

I would avoid this...

Such products exist but, in my experience, cameras draw a lot of current so I would be looking at a switch/injector that can supply a full 802.3at 25.5W per port for each camera.

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#3185913 24-Jan-2024 15:49

Yes, they exist, and work well provided you spec them appropriately. It's quite common, especially in cheaper consumer-grade switches, to not be able to supply full wattage to all ports. For example, I have one here that has 4 PoE ports, can do up to 25W per port, but only 52W max total. That's fine if I'm running, say, 4 cameras that use <12W each, but not if they're wanting 15W.

You can get DVRs that have PoE ports on them, and generally are designed with sufficient power capability in mind for their packaged cameras, so it depends what you're going for in terms of capability.

Jase2985

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#3185918 24-Jan-2024 16:25

pwapwap:

Is it possible to run a small switch off a PoE supply and have that switch also supply onwards PoE to cameras.

The amount your cameras draw will quickly eat up any power provided to the switch from a POE Injector.

For instance this one https://www.dlink.com.au/business-solutions/DGS-1100-05PDV2-PoE-Powered-Smart-Managed-Switch

only has a PoE Budget of 18 Watts (when powered with 802.3at). thats about 1 camera you can run off it.

Ideally, you need to put in a proper PoE Switch powered from a wall socket. As an aside, you only need a 100mbps PoE switch for cameras, as the network streams are not that taxing until you get 7-8 cameras on them.

richms

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#3185978 24-Jan-2024 16:52

POE splitters are a thing - up to 4 out from one in is common but IME they negotiate max power and then have no real way to meter or control what the devices off it take so its all too common to trip out the upstream ports over power when the night vision on the cameras all kick on but you thought it was all fine because you installed it in day time.

I have one for some el cheapo 720p xmeye cams that take almost nothing because their IR illuminator is beat by a battery powered IR flashlight, and it works ok on them.

Others will come with a splitter for the switch end and take power from 2 ports, and send the second lot of power up the second "spare" pair to double what is available for it.

Richard rich.ms

richms

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#3185981 24-Jan-2024 17:02

This one I use to power 3 PoE to USB and ethernet splitters running some tuya bluetooth and zigbee gateways to hit the garden.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005818672057.html?

(these are the USB output converters - also got the C one to run a pi 4 straight off the switch https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005146912180.html)

I bought this one for my cameras out the back of the house - got it ages ago - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32584871993.html - now I would get this instead at 1/4 the price and see how it goes - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006318492919.html - they say 90w input which I have never heard of PoE going that high.

Richard rich.ms

coffeebaron

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#3185995 24-Jan-2024 17:30

One of these will give you up to 46W out.

https://www.gowifi.co.nz/ubiquiti-networks/usw-flex.html

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RunningMan

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#3186014 24-Jan-2024 18:39

Regardless of what you go with, roof space is not generally good for electronics lifespan. Peak temps can get very hot.

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timbosan

2159 posts

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#3186706 26-Jan-2024 09:44

coffeebaron:

One of these will give you up to 46W out.

https://www.gowifi.co.nz/ubiquiti-networks/usw-flex.html

I have these on my shortlist for future work when I increase cameras. They are outdoor units, so may remove the need of the OP to use the ceiling space?

MarkM536

309 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3186925 26-Jan-2024 15:43

Most NVRs (Network video recorders, for IP cameras) can support an external POE switch.

Although plug & play may have issues assigning the cameras to channels.

RunningMan:

Regardless of what you go with, roof space is not generally good for electronics lifespan. Peak temps can get very hot.

^ This right here. Roof temperatures can easily 55c during summer.

pwapwap

103 posts

Master Geek

#3186942 26-Jan-2024 16:42

Thanks for the advice.

I will do some research on pulling cables through walls and give that a go by the sounds of things.

timbosan

2159 posts

Uber Geek

#3186999 26-Jan-2024 17:20

Just to give some specifics, since I was looking into a similar problem. FYI I already have a Unifi setup.

I have 150w which can do PoE+ Switch 8 PoE (150W) - Ubiquiti Store United States This can supply 34w over PoE+.

This can then power the USW-Flex UniFi Flex - Tech Specs (ui.com) (note - this is NOT the Flex mini :-) ) The Flex can be installed outdoors. This requires 5 watts max
From there, you can power cameras with PoE outs

If you had a G5 Bullet UniFi G5 Bullet - Tech Specs (ui.com), this runs on PoE, and draws 4 watts max.
Stepping up to the G5 Pro, which is 4k UniFi G5 Pro - Tech Specs (ui.com), pulls 10w max

So in summary:

34 watts in, minus 5w for the Flex, gives 29 watts, which could power 4 G5 bullets and still have headroom

(Note all watts are max - someone may point out something I have missed. I just checked my 150w switch and my G5 bullet is pulling 2.9w and my G3 Flex is pulling 2.2 watts)