So what is POE? Well POE means Power Over Ethernet and this is a method of sending power to a network device, e.g. an IP camera along the same data cable that connects it to the network switch or router.
Nearly all Camsecure IP webcams are dual power so they can be powered from a separate DC power unit and the network carries the signal back to the router or switch, or they can be used via POE which makes installation simpler as there is only one cable to take to the camera - the network cable. POE and POE+ devices are great for cable runs up to 100 metres of full grade copper cable. If you need longer runs then you must either use repeater switches or you can use our new EPOE equipment which will run power and data up to 800 metres on a single cable. Find out about our new EPOE system here.
Using POE for your IP cameras has many advantages, there is a time and cost saving as there is no need for extral electrical sockets to be installed for the cameras, and as only a single network cable is required its easier to install and move your IP webcam to a new location.
There is a higher degree of safety for the equipment too as POE delivery is intelligent, and designed to protect network equipment from overload, underpowering, or incorrect installation.
POE power comes from a central and universally compatible source, rather than a collection of separate power supplies so its also easier to back up the power to the cameras using a central UPS battery back up unit.
Different Types Of POE
There are a few types of POE depending on the power that is required and the distance you need to send it. Normal POE standards are good for up to 100 metres but for very long runs you really need EPOE. Although its important to get the correct amount of power for your camera or other POE device in order for it to work correctly, you wont damage anything by using the wrong POE unit. That is if you need 20 Watts for the device and plug a 30 Watt POE unit on to it, the camera will still only draw its 20 watts and will work fine with 10 Watts to spare. If you only put a 10 Watt POE unit on to a camera needing 20 Watts then the camera would simply not work as there would not be enough power for - but again no damage will be done to either component.
So here are the different POE standards:-
POE - The 802.3af POE standard is fine for network devices that require up to around 13 Watts of electrical power.
POE Plus - Often marked as POE+ is the 802.3at standard and nearly doubles the amount of electrical power available to powered devices up to to 25.5 Watts.
Hi-POE - Is obviously much higher power and is used for cameras such as our IP Speed Domes which also have motors in them to move the camera and zoom in and out etc. These operations mean that the camera draws much more power so for this type of camera a Hi-POE supply is required. Hi-POE can provide in excess of 60 Watts of power and one Camsecure model injector can supply 95 Watts if necessary.
POE Plus switches and injectors will recognise 802.3af powered devices and enable POE to use them as normal. POE Plus powered devices can also be connected to 802.3af POE switches or injectors, and are supposed to restrict how much power they use accordingly. All camsecure IP webcams that use POE have the required standard in their specification e.g. POE / POE+ / Hi-POE so its easy to know which type of POE injector or switch you need.
Now we also have the EPOE system for up to 800 metres cable run and these devices are marked so you know which camera and switch to choose for EPOE
Using POE With Cameras
First off, POE power units need between 40 to 60 Volt power supplies which are supplied with the units. These power supplies should only be plugged in to the POE device they come with e.g. only plug into the Injector or Switch that they are meant for. If you plug this POE PSU into a camera or other device directly you will destroy that device. The POE unit then sends the appropriate voltage and current for the power required to the camera or other POE device on the end of the cable and auto detects what is required.
POE will work on 10/100 and Gigabit networks too. Gigabit Ethernet is a uses various technologies for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of a gigabit per second, as defined by the IEEE 802.3-2008 standard.
If you are using full copper network cable e.g. CAT5, CAT5e or CAT6 then you will be able to run your POE cameras on up to 100 metres of cable before needing a POE Extender. BUT if you use the cheaper CCA network cable (Copper Covered Aluminium) you will struggle to reach anywhere near this distance for POE. So use the best cable and your POE cameras will work fine. You can find out more about Netowk Cables here.
