PoE Technology in Security Cameras

Vũ Khôi

Author at Wotech Electronics Blog

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PoE (Power over Ethernet), simply put, is a technology that allows electrical power to be carried over Ethernet network cable (RJ45 cable) to power electronic devices.

A PoE camera is an ordinary IP camera with PoE technology built in. PoE technology appears only on IP cameras, because only IP cameras use network cable to carry signals.

Surveillance cameras run on 12V power, so when buying a camera, you also need to buy a 12V power supply for it. On top of that, you have to spend extra on electrical wire and run wiring to power the camera — a multi-step process. The arrival of the PoE camera has made installing IP cameras much simpler.

Advantages of PoE Cameras

When you use a PoE camera, there's no power supply to buy and no electrical wiring to install — the camera draws its power directly over the network cable, which is very convenient and tidy.

– Saves time and installation effort: the technician only needs to run a single network cable from the central device to the camera for it to work normally.

– PoE cameras save money, since there's no need to invest in items such as power cable, outlets, plugs, or power adapters for the camera…

– Cameras can be installed in any position without depending on the location of a power outlet, bringing flexibility and convenience.

– More stable: compared with using an ordinary power adapter, powering over PoE is always more stable — PoE power sources can protect the camera against voltage fluctuations.

Disadvantages of PoE Technology Cameras

Using PoE IP cameras is both simple to install and cost-saving, but there are some drawbacks.

First, PoE cameras are limited in how far the network cable can run; beyond a certain distance, the camera won't receive enough power to operate.

To use a PoE camera, it must be paired with a PoE switch — a network switch with PoE technology built in — or a PoE recorder. Without a PoE switch or recorder, the PoE camera becomes an ordinary IP camera and needs its own separate power supply.

As we can see, a surveillance camera system using POE technology significantly cuts the costs of consumables such as power cables and adapters for cameras, as well as labor costs, system warranty costs, and operating costs.

At KBVISION, we offer PoE KIT sets comprising cameras and a recorder, packed with smart features — just plug in and go, no complicated multi-step configuration needed.