POE security camera systems are the technology that allows you to simultaneously power a remote device and exchange data with it via a twisted pair cable. Scopes of application of this technology: IP surveillance cameras, IP telephony, wireless access points, network hubs and other devices.
You must have noticed more than once that some video surveillance IP cameras have the acronym POE in their specifications. Let’s take a look at what these letters mean.
The biggest advantage is that you don’t to pull a separate power cable to the device. One twisted pair cable will solve everything.
How does POE work?
POE (Power over Ethernet – literally Power over Ethernet) enables the supply of current of up to 400 mA with a voltage rating of 48 V, through 4 cores (2 pairs) of twisted pair cable, the remaining 2 pairs of cable are used for signal transmission. The maximum POE power is 15.4 W.
A power supply device (POE switch or switch) supplies a signal and power to the camera up to 150 metres away, while continuously testing its power consumption in order to further control the necessary power for the device to be connected and to prevent the supply of voltage above or below its operating limit.
Connecting an IP camera with and without POE technology
A POE IP camera requires a POE switch or video recorder with integrated POE ports. A 4-pair twisted-pair cable connects the network port of the POE switch or the video recorder with the camera port, so that power can be supplied. The POE switch is connected to any router or video-recording device without POE, via the UPlink port.
Passive POE
Now it has become fashionable to talk about passive POE, calling it a technology, in fact it’s a trivial homework just a bit more comfortable. One passive adapter with the “Daddy” block is connected from the camera side, and one with the “Mom” block from the 12 volt power supply toron.
No 150 metres of transmission can be spoken of, at best over a cable with a good cross-section of 60 metres and it is essential to check what voltage comes out on the camera power plug, if below 11 volts, the device will break down in a short period of time. Such a scheme can be organised directly without an adapter, simply by installing the power supply plug on two free pairs of cables.
When it comes to POE in CCTV cameras in general, the technology itself works without malfunctions or problems. The drawbacks include additional financial costs. After all, the work will require a POE switch or injector. Also, a video camera IP must have a POE module on board that increases the cost of the device by 5-10% or more.