What Is PoE? Power Over Ethernet for Cameras

What Is PoE?

PoE means Power over Ethernet. One Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable does two jobs: it powers the camera and it sends the video back to the recorder.

That is why these DIY systems are simpler than old analog cameras with a power brick at every camera. You run one cable. The recorder (or a PoE switch) puts power on that cable.

What you need

  • A PoE recorder, or a PoE switch if the recorder has no powered ports
  • Cat 6 cable, solid copper for longer runs
  • A PoE camera (every camera in this shop is that kind)

If a camera is too far for cable, use a wireless bridge and still use PoE on the far side.

How to build the system

TEK — Technology Experience Knowledge LLCDIY Pro Security is a TEK company. Technology Experience Knowledge LLC.