Power over Ethernet (PoE) For IP Cameras Explained
Technology is consistently improving and with it the technology of security cameras. One type of surveillance that is very popular is PoE IP Cameras.
To know if this type of camera system is right for you, it is important to understand how PoE cameras works.
What Is a PoE Security Camera?
PoE cameras are basically Power over Ethernet cameras. These cameras get power and transmit videos through one Ethernet cable. PoE cameras does not require an extra power cable. As long as there is a Ethernet cable connected to the camera you can simply plug the other end into a router and the camera is ready to go. This is the main reason PoE CCTV cameras are referred to as plug and play cameras.
Setting up Power over Ethernet cameras is fairly easy but one common problem that people tend to find a little bit confusing is what and how to use POE switches or injectors.
What is a PoE switch and what does it do?
Before you can truly understand the PoE switch and what it’s used for there are some additional terms that you should become familiar with.
The PoE switch and injector help you connect your PoE camera with the non-PoE router. This provides power and a network connection. The main difference between the injector and the switch is that the PoE injector has one port and will only support one PoE camera.
Using the switch and injector makes the system wiring much easier. If you want to install several cameras outside your home and place your NVR inside, you could then connect all cameras with the switch. These typically come with up to 8 ports and allows you to run a switch cable back to your NVR.
Installing Your PoE IP Cameras
There are three methods of setting up your cameras that will ensure that they work in a variety of situations.
Have an installation plan before you start – If you want your set up to run smoothly, have a plan for your security system. First, it is important to know installation locations and how you will wire your cameras back to the monitoring location. Once you have this information you can then purchase the right PoE switch for your needs.
Router with PoE Function – Basically, if your router have PoE ports you can just connect your camera directly to the router. This turns the camera into a plug and play system that is simple, even for those unfamiliar with security camera installation. This set up works best if you just have one camera, if you have a system with many cameras a switch and a NVR is the best solution.
PoE injector or switch Install with Router lacking PoE – Installation does get a little problematic when your router does not have PoE or the monitoring room is out of reach of existing camera wires. In a situation such as this, a injector or a switch will come in handy. Using a injector requires you to plug the Ethernet cable of the PoE camera into the injector and connect the injector with your router. Once this is done, you will then need to power the injector.
Another method would be to use a switch. All that is required to do this is to plug the Ethernet cable of the cameras into the switch and then connect the PoE switch to the router. This will provide power to all your cameras.
Set up via IP Camera with PoE, NVR, and router – The most efficient solution for storage of surveillance video is to add an NVR to your PoE IP cameras. If you have a complete system set up with both PoE security cameras and NVR you can basically connect all your cameras with the NVR directly via PoE ports.
Buying a PoE IP Camera & System
There are a number of top-selling PoE IP security camera systems out there. Deciding which system to buy will depend on your budget and security needs. When shopping for a camera system, take into consideration the features that are most important to meet your security needs, such as video resolution, night vision, audio, and weatherproof cameras. These are just a few of the features you will have to consider when shopping for your PoE IP camera system.
The advantage of IP cameras is that they offer flexibility with the ability to be powered by one source so this saves you money. A disadvantage to this type of camera is that if your power source goes down, you will lose all the cameras and be without video surveillance for however long it takes to repair your system. You are also limited in how far you can have your cameras from your monitor location.
If you are out to purchase a security system for your home or business, you will definitely want to consider both the advantages and disadvantages to the PoE IP security camera systems.
