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3 Methods to Add More IP Cameras Without Wiring New Cables

Are you struggling to connect multiple devices through Ethernet but are restricted by a limited amount of network cables? Have you ever been caught in a situation where you want to add more IP cameras to the network but only to find out all the LAN ports are occupied? Well, you’re not alone. It’s a phase of frustration that a majority of people will go through when expanding their networks. Limited Ethernet connections force people to install new network modems and infrastructure to satisfy the growing needs of today’s emerging Internet of Things (IoT). 

Despite the increasing popularity of wireless technologies, a hardwired network is still the first choice for every household and enterprise since nothing could compare to its high speed and premium reliability. But installing new cables in an existing building is more expensive and the entire process is more complex. The new wires have to be run through existing walls and hidden in blind areas, and cuts and holes may also be made and patched into the walls. Approximately estimated, wiring new cables in new construction only costs $1,500-$4,500, while the price will double (nearly $3,000-$8,000) in a building that has already been built. And network management will also become more difficult because the volume of Ethernet cables drastically increases. In this article, we’ll introduce 3 methods to expand your network in a simpler and more budget-friendly way. 

Solution One: Split the Cable with Ethernet Splitters


There are lots of techniques with which we can connect multiple devices via a single Ethernet cable, but the quickest and easiest way is to use an Ethernet splitter. It offers a cost-effective solution to split the existing Ethernet cable into two separate feeds to let you install 2 devices at once while reducing cable clutter. But it’s only useful when you have a router or network switch with multiple Ethernet ports available and by far the worst solution.

What is the Ethernet Splitter?

The Ethernet splitter is a plug-and-play network device that splits the Ethernet signal into two, so other devices can share the same Internet connection. If you have an Ethernet cable going from point A to point B, you can use the Ethernet splitter to amplify the signal and send it to all clients without installing any active equipment in between. This tiny device is pretty straightforward: it doesn’t require any power supply or configuration. And there are mainly two types of Ethernet splitters: the hard-wired splitter and the split-pair splitter. The hard-wired Ethernet splitter has three Ethernet ports with one on the one side and two on the other, while the split-pair Ethernet splitter has a short Ethernet cable with an RJ45 or USB connector on the one side and two Ethernet ports on the other. 


How it works?

Ethernet splitters normally work in pairs to re-expand one Ethernet cable to two connections, but the single ethernet cable running between two splitters must be a Cat5e or higher and must operate over all 4 pairs of wires for both power and data transmission. The Ethernet cable normally contains four twisted pairs of copper wires. In passive PoE, four out of eight available wires are utilized for data transfer and the spare pairs for power delivery. So when you split the cable, power will only be available in one data stream. But with new PoE standards, power and data can be sent through the same twisted pairs to allow electricity to flow through both data streams.

The Ethernet splitters are the simplest way for network splitting. The Ethernet splitter works very similarly to a coupler, but only that it can split all four twisted pairs of wires into two feeds rather than simply amplifying the signal and sending it down to another Ethernet cable. For example, if you have one router in Point A and need to connect two IP cameras in Point B but there is only one wall jacket on each endpoint (wall jackets are normally connected by a network cable embedded in the wall), you can use a pair of Ethernet splitters to install the devices without running new cables through walls, floors or ceilings. 

Do Ethernet Splitters Reduce Network Speed?

Well, it depends on what type of network you’re currently using. If you connect the Ethernet splitters to a Fast Ethernet network that specifies a standard data rate of 100Mbps, then they will not slow down the connection. There will only be insignificant attenuation over the cable runs which could happen in any data cabling. But when you connect the splitters to a Gigabit speed network, the network speed will automatically be downgraded to 100Mbps max. since all four twisted pairs need to be employed to forward Gigabit Ethernet to the PDs. 

Other Problems?

Ethernet splitters come in handy in certain scenarios, but apart from the reduced network speed, the Ethernet splitters also have other undesired aspects that make them by far the worst solution for network expansion. Since the data streams can only be forwarded in two separate directions, the Ethernet splitter doesn’t allow more than two devices to communicate on a single Ethernet cable. Crosstalk will also increase between different twisted pairs. And since it’s only a plug-and-play device that doesn’t come with any remote monitoring features or status indicators, the difficulties of troubleshooting and network management are bound to be increased dramatically. To sum up, Ethernet splitters are not a reasonable solution in most cases. Rather than struggling with many undesired features of Ethernet splitters, using a dual-port PoE extender would be a better option to split your Ethernet cable.

Dual-Port PoE Extenders: Alternative to Ethernet Splitters

The dual-port PoE extender is a PoE extender that has 2 PoE outputs. It’s designed to deliver power and data to two PoE devices through one Cat5 or higher-category cable. With this PoE extender, the cabling cost can be dramatically reduced. It repeats the PoE signals received from the PSE and re-transmits them to the PDs before signal degradation exhibits, forming a seamless connection. Moreover, users can easily add extra PoE devices, such as IP cameras and wireless APs, to existing cabling without running a new cable. Moreover, this dual-port PoE extender also allows you to extend the connection between your PSE and PoE devices to another 100 meters. Like other PoE equipment, it’s hot-swappable with no configuration involved and no power adapter is required (the extender can be powered by a PoE switch or injector), which greatly simplifies the installation on the job site. Even though this 2-port PoE extender is more expensive than the Ethernet splitter, only one device is demanded for the setup. 

Dual-Port PoE Extenders V.S. Ethernet Splitters

1)Network Speed: As previously discussed, Ethernet splitters only support a maximum data rate of 100Mbps even when they’re connected to Gigabit Ethernet. However, the 2-port PoE extender can deliver Gigabit Ethernet data on each PoE port, ideal for installing IP cameras that request a higher bandwidth and to ensure smooth video streaming over long distances. 

2)Power Management: Although these two devices can only connect two PoE devices on one cable, the PoE extender provides better power management than the splitter. Equipped with the auto-sensing PoE ports, the dual-port PoE extender can deliver just enough power that is requested to the PD and might be able to allocate the surplus power to the other PoE port, while the Ethernet splitter divides data and power equally for both connections. Fastcabling has launched a 95W 2-Port Waterproof PoE Extender that could deliver a maximum power of 60W and 30W on each PoE port to help you prioritize the power flow to each PD. 

3)Deployment Distance: The Ethernet splitter just physically connects two PoE devices to the same network cable, so the distance between the PSE and PDs is still restricted to 100 meters, while the 2-port PoE extender offers a cost-effective solution to extend the distance up to 200 meters max., which gives you more freedom on where to install the IP cameras. 

4)Reliability: The Ethernet splitter could easily deteriorate over years, especially in outdoor deployments. And most of the splitters are not waterproof, and any chances of water ingress will damage the circuits of the device and shut down the connection. But the PoE extender normally lasts longer. The 95W 2-Port Waterproof PoE Extender is direct-burial, IP67-rated waterproof, featuring carrier-grade surge protection (6kV), and can operate under a vast temperature from -40°C~75°C.  

Plug and Play Installation

No configuration and software are required to add the device to your LAN. The 95W 2-Port Waterproof PoE Extender contains three RJ45 ports: one ‘PoE In’ port for PoE power and data input and 2 ‘PoE Out’ ports to connect the PDs. You only need to connect the 2-port PoE extender to your PoE switch or injector with the existing cable, and wire another two Ethernet cables to connect the output ports to the remote IP cameras. 


Solution Two: Connect More Devices with an Outdoor PoE Switch


If you’re looking to connect more devices to one cable, then you will need to purchase a PoE switch that has more Ethernet ports. And since most IP cameras are installed outdoors, but not all PoE switches are equally developed with surge and water protection, an outdoor PoE switch is recommended to ensure safe connectivity in harsh environments. It provides an all-in-one outdoor solution to transmit both power and data to the PDs while taking advantage of the existing network cable. 

What is the Outdoor PoE Switch?

The outdoor PoE switch is a PoE switch protected in a waterproof casing. It’s manufactured and tested to meet the industrial standards for operation even in applications that require the highest level of reliability like surveillance camera systems. The most obvious advantage of using a PoE switch is that it has more Ethernet ports so you can connect more devices on the same switch. Most PoE switches are only designed for indoor applications like within an office building or between two workstations. And they can only work under a quite limited operating temperature range from 0°C~40°C. But the outdoor PoE switches can be installed in any imaginable environment and operate safely over a vast temperature range. Each port is equipped with carrier-grade surge protection, which makes it ultra user-friendly for average families and small and medium-sized businesses. 

Outdoor PoE Switch IP67 Waterproof

Housed in an IP67-rated metal enclosure, this outdoor PoE switch has 7*10/100/1000 Mbps PoE ports and a 1Gbps RJ45 Ethernet uplink port to support a maximum power output of 30W on a per-port basis (120W in total). It features 6kv surge protection and a wide operating temperature of -25°C~60°C. This outdoor PoE switch is also built with an internal power bank to work with various kinds of external power supplies like AC 100-240V, solar power, etc., to guarantee the continued operation of the outdoor PoE switch and connected devices at greater distances. And it is equipped with auto-sensing PoE ports that automatically detect the compatibility of the connected devices to lower the chances of power outages, operation failures, etc., and prevent irreversible electrical damages caused to the PDs.  

Benefits of Deploying the Outdoor PoE Switch

• All-in-one PoE solution for both power and data delivery

• High-speed data transmission of up to 1 Gbps for long-distance applications

• Immunity to EMI, network congestion, severe weather conditions, etc.

• A cost-effective solution that eliminates additional power cabling

• Rugged, vandal-proof enclosure ideal for outdoor applications

Tips on Installing Outdoor PoE Switches

1) Prevent Power Surges with the Surge Protectors

When deploying network devices outdoors, you should always take some precautions to protect your devices and appliances from power surges, especially in long-range applications. If large enough, a power surge can cause permanent damage to the PDs. So to prolong the service life of your network devices and prevent the need for costly repairs, you’ll need to install the surge protectors at both ends to regulate the flow of electricity. The surge protector makes sure your events function more reliably and protects the connected devices from damage during sudden power surges. 

2) Choose the Right Cables for Outdoor Environments

When choosing an appropriate network cable for your outdoor project, you need to remember that it has to withstand the adverse conditions of the outdoor environment. For safe operation, you should choose one that is waterproof, and covered with a UV-resistant jacket designed to withstand UV exposure, snow and ice. And it’s highly recommended to use direct burial cables that can be buried under the ground with conduits. For outdoor applications, you should always go for the CMX cables that have a great tolerance for extreme temperatures, water ingress, etc., and they also block the UV light to prevent degradation in long-term use. 

3) Check the Compatibility of the Connected Devices

Most PSEs can’t deliver the full power that the PDs request. And in this case, the PSE will still power the PDs but with less power than is requested because it will demote the devices to a lower type. To ensure full compatibility, you should check the power class of the PSE and PDs to make sure they belong to the same power class, or the PSE will shut down the device for drawing too much power. Moreover, you have to make sure that the connected devices are PoE-compatible. If it’s a non-PoE device, you will need a PoE splitter to mix PoE and non-PoE devices on the same network. Unlike the Ethernet splitter, the PoE splitter can power a non-PoE device by splitting PoE power from data and delivering them through separate outputs to the PD.


Solution Three: Expand Ethernet with a PoE Passthrough Switch


The PoE passthrough switch is a preferred choice for situations where no power source is present. It can work as both a powered device (PD) and a power sourcing equipment (PSE), which means that the switch itself can be powered by a PSE (a PoE switch or PoE injector) while simultaneously providing power to the connected PDs. 

What is the PoE Passthrough Switch?

PoE passthrough may sound complicated, but in reality, it’s a simple technology that allows switches and other network devices to receive PoE power over the existing Ethernet cable from an upstream PoE switch. PoE allows the network devices such as WAPs, IP cameras and VoIP phones to receive power from PoE-enabled switch ports, while PoE passthrough allows a switch to receive power from an upstream switch and pass it through to PoE devices. The network switch built with such features is normally called the PoE passthrough switch or the PoE powered switch, which allows various devices to be connected to the network and the power source without needing direct connections to your central unit. 

4/8-Port PoE Powered Switch

Fastcabling has specially designed two types of PoE passthrough switches to provide an easy, time and cost-saving solution for installers to power PoE-enabled devices at the edge of the network. The 4-port PoE powered switch has 4*10/100/1000 Mbps PoE ports and 1*1Gbps PoE passthrough port. It is compliant with the IEEE802.3at standards, featuring a maximum power output of 30W per port (65W in total) and can power multiple network devices like WAPs and VoIP, etc. This PoE powered switch comes in a compact size and requires no additional power cabling, ideal for space-constrained applications. Each port is equipped with 6kV surge protection to ensure the ongoing functionality of the switch and connected devices. It’s built with a fanless cooling design, suitable for installation in dusty spaces like ceilings and basements. And we’ve also launched an 8-port PoE powered switch that comes with more PoE interfaces to allow you to set up 7 IP cameras at a time. It features a larger power budget of 71W and can operate at a wider operating temperature of -20°C~70°C. 

Benefits of Using a PoE Passthrough Switch

Since the PoE passthrough switch has the passthrough features built in it, it can be installed in any place without the constraints of an AC outlet. The PoE passthrough switch can be applied in hard-to-access spaces, such as attics, closets, above drop ceilings, basements and tunnels, or some places where the existing power outlets are already occupied for other uses. And like the regular PoE switch, the PoE passthrough switch will only supply power to PoE-compatible devices, so if you accidentally connect a non-PoE device to it, only data will flow through. 

How to Power the PoE Passthrough Switch

Here are basically two methods to install the PoE passthrough switch: using a PoE injector or a PoE switch. PoE switches don’t actually consume much power, and they still need around 15-30W to operate. To ensure the optimal functionality of the PoE passthrough switch and the connected PDs, you’ll need to use a high-power PSE.  

1) Use a 90/95W 802.3bt PoE injector

As the demand for higher power increases, choosing a high-power PoE injector can be a much better option to supply enough power to the PoE passthrough switch. Fastcabling’s 90/95W 802.3bt PoE Injector is compatible with PoH protocol and IEEE802.3bt standards to deliver 72W max. to the powered device while supporting a data rate of 10/100/1000Mbps. It is highly reliable, featuring carrier-grade surge protection to protect the device against ESD events. This PoE injector can be used together with the 4-port PoE powered switch to install multiple network devices without handling a mess of Ethernet cables. 

2) Use a the 802.3bt PoE switch

As previously mentioned, few switches can deliver more than 60W per port, but Fastcabling has launched a high-power PoE switch that can offer a maximum power of 90W to install power-hungry devices like LED lighting, information kiosks, etc. It has 6 PoE ports and two of these can support a power output of up to 90W (30W max. for the 4 remaining PoE ports). Since it features a larger power budget (120W), it can be used together with the 8-port PoE powered switch to connect more IP devices to the LAN with the existing cabling. 

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How to Use PoE++ to Supply High-Power Infrared PTZ Speed Dome Camera?

Until a few years ago, the power source of security cameras was still limited to AC power, but with the advent of technologies, installers are now using Power over Ethernet (PoE) as a standard method to power IP cameras of all sizes and shapes from a single access point, provided that PoE provides a budget-friendly way to deliver power and data to the powered devices (PDs) in locations where AC power is expensive, inconvenient and infeasible to install. Depending on the models and specifications, the rated power consumption of most IP cameras could vary from 4 to 15 watts, but with the influx of new designs, there presents a new challenge with the introduction of the PTZ camera, a digital video camera that requires more power than that is capable of the legacy PoE standards (i.e. PoE or PoE+).

The PTZ cameras built with special features like IR night vision and pan-tilt-zoom normally consume more energy to operate at their full throughput. 40W is average for running a PTZ camera that comes with built-in motors, stabilizers, IR illuminators, etc., but considering the power loss over the long cable run, at least 50 watts of power needs to be available at the PSE. And in some old-fashioned models that specify a required power of 30W for camera operation only, a separate power source (low-voltage 12/24V AC) is usually required to power the external heater or blower of the PTZ camera to make it function properly in extreme environments. And this brings the value of PoE power into question: is it restricted to powering the camera only? And even for models that rely on PoE for both camera and heater functions, they could fail at the most inopportune time due to power insufficiency. Thus, to give the full play of PTZ cameras in the video surveillance system, a higher power supply is needed, and here’s where the latest PoE standard IEEE802.3bt (PoE++) comes in.

PoE Before IEEE802.3bt


The IEEE802.3 standards were first initiated in 2003 to govern the delivery of power over Ethernet cables and regulate the cooperation between different network devices. Before the introduction of IEEE802.3bt in 2018, there were only two PoE standards: IEEE802.3af (Type 1) and IEEE802.3at (Type 2). The Ethernet cable consists of 4 twisted pairs and these pairs often correspond to 8 pins. Different PoE devices often use different pinout pairs for power transmission. Type 1 and Type 2 use two sets of twisted pairs for data transmission and save the other two for power delivery. The former supports Cat3 cables or better, while the latter will need at least Cat5 cables for proper operation.

IEEE802.3af (PoE) was the first PoE standard used for IP cameras, specifying a total power supply of 15.4W over 100 meters of cabling, ideal for installing low-voltage appliances like VoIP phones and fixed cameras. For devices that require higher levels of PoE, IEEE802.3at (PoE+) was released in 2009 which can source 30 watts of power to the PD, capable of supplying power to both PoE and PoE+ PDs like WAPs, LCD displays, security alarms, etc. Every PoE/PoE+ device will be assigned to a PoE Class depending on how much power it consumes so as to improve the management of the PSE’s power budget. The PoE classes range from 0 to 8: PoE defines Classes 0-3, covering the input power at the PD from 3.84W to 12.95W, while PoE+ encompasses Class 0 through Class 4, in which a larger amount of power can be sourced from the PSE, almost twice as much as that of PoE – 25.5W.

New PoE Standard Paves the Way for High-Power PTZ Cameras


For almost two decades, PoE and PoE+ have been widely used to power low-voltage security cameras over twisted pair cabling. But as the application of PoE continues to grow with the advancement of new camera technology, these two PoE standards gradually started to fall short when dealing with high-power appliances. To satisfy the growing power requirements of today’s high-power PTZ cameras, a new-generation PoE standard called IEEE802.3bt was finally ratified in 2018. It’s the first-generation PoE standard that implements power over four twisted pairs of the Ethernet cable and offers the highest power capabilities of all PoE types currently in existence. As previously mentioned, in IEEE 802.3af/at, only two twisted pairs are used for power transmission, but IEEE802.3bt uses all 8 wires to transport power so as to minimize power loss over the cable length, so it is also known as 4 Pair PoE.

Uses for IEEE802.3bt

The newest PoE standard is fully backward compatible with the prior PoE standards and can be used to support more power-hungry applications including:

• Smart building and infrastructure like LED lighting

• High-power network devices such as POS terminals, RFID readers and digital signage

• High-performance network devices like WiFi6 access points

• Security camera system (PTZ cameras) and video conference system


What’s New in IEEE802.3bt Standard?


When designing a CCTV system, it’s easy to underestimate the power consumption of the security cameras, but the latest IEEE802.3bt standard can provide adequate power to the PTZ cameras without added infrastructure or costs. It not only guarantees a higher power output but also brings lots of new features to the PoE standards.

New Types and Classes

The new-generation PoE IEEE802.3bt is updated with 2 new types (Type 3 and Type 4) and 4 new classes (Class 5-8). Type 3 (PoE++) is specified to deliver a maximum power of 60W at each PoE port over Cat5 cabling- twice the capacity of PoE+. Examples of devices that these higher levels of power support include 802.11ac WAPs, PTZ cameras with heaters, digital signage, Touch-Screen PCs, etc. Type 3 covers and extends the classes in Type 1 and Type 2 and also introduces two new classes of Class 5 and 6 to the power system with a minimum of 51W available at the PD in Class 6. PoE++ can support at least Class 4 in 2 or 4 twisted pairs and Class 5-6 in all 4 pairs.

Conforming to the newest IEEE802.3bt standard, Type 4, commonly known as Hi-PoE, can generate a much higher power output of 90-100W at the PSE with a minimum power assured on each port being 71.3W over Cat6/6e cables to support extremely power-hungry devices like flat screens, video conferencing equipment, desktop computers, etc. With the exception of legacy Classes 0-6, Type 4 is also able to support Classes 7-8 with the minimum power at the PD being 71-90W. But even though Type 3 and Type 4 could deliver a much higher amount of power to the network devices, they’re still restricted to the 100-meter distance limitation of standard PoE.


Single and Dual Signature

Apart from the new PoE types and classes, the 802.3bt standard also introduces 2 new PD typologies, i.e. single signature and dual signature, to the world of PoE. The main difference between these two typologies is that the PD that supports the single signature shares the same detection, classification and maintain-power signatures between both pair sets, while the dual signature PD employs different signatures on each pair set, so it has independently different signatures between two pairs with distinct supported loads and power classes. The previous PoE standards IEEE 802.3af/at cannot distinguish single-signature PDs from dual-signature ones, whereas the new IEEE standard enables the differentiation between these two types of devices via connection check. In a PTZ camera that supports dual-signature, one pair can be connected to the camera, while the other pair can be connected to the heater, PTZ motor or infrared illuminators to realize optimal power distribution.


Lower Standby Power

The new PoE standard shows great improvements in the standby power consumption. In the IEEE 802.3af/at standards, the PDs must draw approximately 10mA for at least 75ms every 250ms in a duty cycle to keep the PoE port alive, which is extremely crucial for LED lighting and security systems to remain “ON” to ensure fast turn-on. Unlike traditional lighting, the intelligent LED ballasts need to be constantly powered even when the light is off, but it also results in significant power wastage when a large number of PDs are deployed. IEEE 802.3bt offers a practical solution to reduce the minimum standby power to 20mW which is 10 times lower than the older IEEE standards (nearly 200mW at 54V).


Auto-class and Extended Power

Auto-class helps optimize the power output of the PSE to ensure system efficiency. It allows the PSE to determine the actual maximum power drawn by the connected PD and the actual cable length used and set the power budget to precisely match that level. There’s always some power budgeted for heat dissipation or DC resistance over longer cable runs, but the extended power feature of the high-power PoE makes sure each connected PD can use the maximum available power based on the cable’s actual resistance and evens allows the input power to reach up to 90W when the cable length is known.

High-Power PoE Opens Up Various Power Options for PTZ Cameras


With the advent of high-power PoE emerges various types of PoE solutions. It also opens up a new world of power options to simplify camera installations in remote places. In this section, we’ll introduce four ways to install the PTZ cameras.

1. Power One PTZ Camera with a PoE++ Injector

The most direct and simple way to power the PTZ camera is using a high-power PoE injector. It’s a perfect choice when only a few devices are installed since the PoE injector can only power one device at a time. The PoE++ injector can supply more energy to power-hungry devices at a higher output since only one device is connected. It is very easy to manage and troubleshoot, making it ultra user-friendly for both residential and commercial applications. It also works well with legacy network devices: by connecting the PoE++ injector to a regular network switch, you can mix the PoE and non-PoE devices on the same network, eliminating the need and cost of installing new infrastructures.

Normally, 40W is enough for a PTZ camera equipped with heaters and considering the device is normally installed outdoors, a waterproof PoE++ injector is highly recommended for the setup. FASTCABLING has launched a 60W outdoor industrial waterproof PoE injector (IP67 waterproof) to help you set up the high-power PTZ cameras in extreme weather conditions. Compliant with the IEEE802.3bt (Type 3), it supports a maximum power supply of 51W at the PD with a wide input voltage range of DC24~56V. It has a built-in regulator that will boost up the power to regulated DC54V to reduce voltage drops in long-distance applications.

2. Manage Multiple Devices with an 802.3bt PoE Switch

When you need to install more than three cameras at the installation site, the PoE switch is definitely your best pick. It offers great flexibility for installation in places where there is no power source present, which greatly improves the scalability of your network and reduces the installation costs. The PoE switch provides more PoE ports to allow you to install more than one PTZ camera at the edge. It also provides centralized power management to guarantee the normal function of each camera. And it’s highly scalable: by connecting to another PoE switch, the Ethernet ports can be easily expanded within minutes. In addition, an active PoE switch is also equipped with auto-sensing ports that automatically detect the compatibility of the connected devices to reduce the chances of power outages, operation failures, etc. So if a PTZ camera accidentally goes offline, you will get immediately notified and automatically adjust to compensate from the control room.

We’ve launched an 8-port visual PoE managed switch that can supply a maximum power of 60W on ports#1-4 (30W max. on ports#5-8). It comes with two Gigabit SFP slots to deliver a fast-speed, low-latency network connection in long-distance applications. The built-in LCD screen exhibits the real-time condition of the PoE switch and allows you to easily manage each individual port. By supporting Layer 3 IPv4 or IPv6 dual-stack and various management functions, this visual PoE++ managed switch helps small businesses to step into the IPv6 networks with the lowest investment. It is loaded with QoS features to prioritize and monitor the traffic coming out of each PoE port and enhance the bandwidth management to improve user experience and ensure better response time, particularly useful for enterprise networks.

3. Long-Distance Setup with PoE Extenders

Theoretically, PoE can power any compatible device at any reasonable distance if sufficient voltage reaches the PDs, but it’s only designed to work over a maximum distance of 100m. Signal degradation and power loss will gradually intensify as the distance increases and eventually shut down the system. And the newest IEEE802.3bt standard is no exception. To overcome the geographical limit of standard PoE in high-power applications, one option is to use a PoE++ extender. Unlike the RJ45 coupler, it can repeat and re-transmit the signals along the long cable runs and pass the remaining power to the next PoE device (normally, a Gigabit PoE extender will only consume 4-5W) so as to eliminate the deployment of any active devices down the line. In general, it is a plug-and-go technology, and it works so seamlessly that the installer won’t even know its existence. To learn more about PoE extension, continue to read The Myths and Truths about PoE Extension-Long Range Ethernet.

To facilitate long-distance network deployments in outdoor environments, we’ve launched an outdoor waterproof 802.3bt Gigabit PoE extender to help you install the PTZ cameras more than 100 meters away from the control room. It supports a power budget of 60W max., and the power available at the PD will still remain at 51W in approximate. By daisy-chaining 2 units at a time, you can extend the distance up to 300 meters. Most importantly, this PoE extender is equipped with 2 PoE interfaces to allow you to set up two security cameras at once (a PTZ camera: 20~40W and a fixed IP camera:4~5W). But in outdoor applications, precautionary actions should always be taken to protect the devices from lightning strikes, especially crucial for mission-critical applications like security camera systems. Even though electrical surges are largely environmentally impacted, it’s possible that lightning strikes will induce on data lines and fry the circuits of the connected devices. So when running long copper cables, remember to install a set of surge protectors to safeguard your network.

4. Mix PoE and Non-PoE Devices with a PoE Splitter

Considering not all PTZ cameras are PoE-enabled, the PoE splitter provides a cost-effective solution to power a non-PoE device by splitting PoE from a unified network cable and delivering power and data through separate connections. It often works with a PoE switch or a PoE injector to power non-PoE devices in hard-to-reach areas where is hard to find a power outlet, eliminating the need for additional AC wiring. It is often used in two scenarios: 1) in situations where you need to connect a PSE, endspan or midspan, with a non-PoE-capable device; 2) or to install non-PoE devices with a regular switch in remote locations where no power source is present. The PoE splitter can also be used to bring a 48V DC down to a low voltage electrical current (regulated 5, 12 or 24V), enabling the safe connection to devices with a low input voltage range.

Fastcabling’s high power 802.3bt outdoor waterproof PoE++ splitter is an industrial-grade device suitable to power non-PoE devices that in harsh environments. It often works with a PoE injector or PoE switch enabling a maximum of 60W output power on each port. This PoE++ splitter is backward compatible with IEEE802.3af/at to work with legacy Type 1 and Type 2 network devices. It features 6KV surge protection to prevent electrical damage caused by lightning strikes, able to work under a vast temperature range from -40℃ to 75℃.

Last Thoughts

Power Demotion: Most PSEs don’t have the ability to deliver the full power that the PDs request. And in this case, the PSE will still power the PDs but with less power than is requested because it will demote the devices to a lower type. For example, a PD requests Class 8 power but the PSE only supports Class 6, and then the PD will be automatically demoted to Class 6. To ensure full compatibility, you should check the power class of the PTZ cameras and the PSE and make sure they belong to the same power level, or the PSE will shut down the device for drawing too much power.

Avoid Overheating: Heat rise is a severe concern in high-power PoE. Simply put, more power means more heat, and overheating will increase the DC resistance in copper wires, thereby jeopardizing the signal transmission. It will also accelerate the deterioration of the cables and increases the insertion loss. To minimize heat rise in high-power PoE, you should choose a network cable of a higher category: the higher the cable category, the lower the heat rise. Normally, a Cat6 or 6e Ethernet cable would suffice the job. And you can choose a cable terminated with a larger conductor since conductor resistance is one of the main culprits of overheating. A larger conductor will let electrical currents easily flow through and thereby reduce the conductor resistance. And it’s advised to choose a shielded cable rather than an unshielded one for better heat dissipation.

Backward Compatibility: The IEEE802.3bt standard is fully backward compatible with the prior PoE standards, which means the 802.3bt equipment will be able to send power to the 802.3at devices with no issues. And it helps higher-standard devices blend into the legacy network systems. But problems come when you mix PoE, PoE+ and PoE++ devices on the same network. For example, if you connect a PoE++ (60W, Class 6) injector to a PoE+ extender (30W, Class 4), the power class will also be demoted to Class 4 accordingly since the PoE+ device can only accept 30 watts of power max., so the power received at the PD will be less than 30W considering the power loss over long cable runs. So you should choose the PSE and PDs that share the same PoE standard.

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Install IP Cameras Miles Away with Wireless Network Bridge

IP camera increases overall safety in this highly connected world of today. It safeguards your properties and provides real-time surveillance on your premises. In the meantime, the significance of IP cameras in business cannot be overestimated: real-time video surveillance helps cut down security-related costs for monitoring strategic locations, boost productivity within the workplace and prevent any kinds of reprehensible activities. Briefly, IP cameras are crucial in both residential and commercial applications, but the main problem is they’re normally installed far away from the control center and from each other, which increases the difficulty of deployment on the job site.



The most basic way to set up the IP camera is using PoE technology to transmit power and data simultaneously to the PDs via the same Ethernet cable so as to eliminate extra power cabling, but technically, regular IP cameras only support a maximum distance of 100 meters. Beyond this limit, they’ll experience severe attenuation as the distance increases. But many applications that require IP camera installation are normally more than 100 meters. Deploying fiber optic cables seems like a feasible option for long-distance setups but installation can be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming. So the question is: Is there any way to extend your network without using any cable in between? Obviously, a wired connection can deliver a higher level of stability and performance in data networking, but there’s always a time when you can’t pull any cable at all and here’s where a wireless network bridge comes in.

What is the Wireless Network Bridge?


Wireless bridging is a technology developed to extend the network connectivity via infrared or microwave transmission between physically isolated locations where cable connection is not viable. The wireless network bridge joins different segments of networks together over a wireless channel by enabling two access points to connect to each other over long distances using their radios. By deploying the wireless network bridge, you can cover a larger physical area with higher throughput to build a point-to-point (P2P) or point-to-multipoint (P2MP) connection between cross-building offices, neighboring districts, and nearby towns, etc.

Wireless bridges are very similar to access points but they are designed to serve different purposes. The central difference between the two devices is their functionality. The wireless bridge is designed to integrate two divided networks through a radio link to facilitate data sharing, while the access point connects multiple wireless devices with a router to provide Internet access to devices that are out of the transmission range of the router. Simply put, the access point acts as the extender of a WiFi network, and some wireless APs can even provide the functionality of the wireless bridges to connect two network clusters.


How It Works?


The wireless bridge is completed by a pair of access points and the communication between two devices is very bidirectional. They don’t simply work like an ‘emitter+receiver’ unit in which one access point unilaterally broadcasts the radio signals to another. When the bridging is working, the master AP located in Building A will pick up the packets from the wired port (the one connected to the main network) and transfer them to the other AP, so that the client AP in Building B can connect to the network on Building A to create a dual-radio network portal over the wireless bridge. In the network bridging, the traffic is forwarded at Layer 2 to prevent any direct tempering on the devices and fend off cyberattacks. Moreover, the network bridge will read both source and destination MAC addresses and only forward packets to this exclusive link to avoid unnecessary data flows and reduce bandwidth waste.

Using Wireless Bridging for IP Camera Installation


Wireless bridging is a state-of-the-art technology to bridge the gap between two segmented networks and make them work as one. It provides a budget-friendly way to extend the physical network without running any cable along the way, giving administrators more freedom on where to install the cameras. As previously said, deploying and maintaining a wired link over long distances can be very expensive, and sometimes even impossible (e.g. running cables across the sea could be geographically challenging and undersea cables generally cost more), while the wireless bridge opens up a new world of possibilities to allow you to install the IP cameras wherever you want as long as within its transmission range.

“Wireless Bridging Leverages the Benefits of PoE in the Surveillance System”

• Increase WiFi Coverage by Congregating Network Segments

Wireless network bridges help a lot in the extension of a physical network. It helps increase the network length without installing any hardware equipment. To provide full coverage of the monitoring site, the security cameras are often installed in different locations to cover every weak spot, so it would naturally cost a lot to install new network infrastructures and wire new cables to the installation site every time. But by deploying the network bridge, you can take advantage of the existing network and broadcast the radio signals further to the job site by congregating the network segments together, so you will never bother to create a new IP subnet. The function of the network bridge is not only limited to network expansion, it also helps intensify the signal strength in long-range applications, so you can assign tasks from one part of the network to the other effortlessly.



• Reduce Network Traffic and Collisions with Network Subdivision

Wireless bridges can reduce network traffic by subdividing network communication. In network bridging, the communication between two APs is mostly point-to-point, so you can create an exclusive wireless channel between two endpoints that only authorized devices can access to reduce the traffic passing through the bridges. In the meantime, the wireless network bridges won’t be easily interfered with by other wavelengths so crosstalk will be highly reduced. Additionally, network collisions can be greatly minimized by segmentation. When we bridge a connection and divide our network into two segments, bandwidth waste can be efficiently reduced and more bandwidth will be forwarded to the edge devices as fewer nodes are connected on the same LAN. So you can ensure the optimal performance of your security cameras and access real-time video streaming from basically anywhere.

How to Install a Wireless Bridge for IP Cameras?


The wireless network bridge provides a budget-friendly way to install your IP cameras in a remote location with limited network access. It allows more flexibility on where to place the cameras without the constraints of wired cabling. In technical terms, the wireless bridges can cover distances ranging from a few dozen meters to kilometers, so you can send camera data back to the NVR or PoE/network switch effortlessly. There are mainly two stages to set up the wireless bridge: preparation and installation.

Preparation Lights the Way for a Successful Setup

“For preparations, you have to make sure you have a clear line of sight between two access points, choose the right frequencies for your wireless bridge, etc.”

Signal Strength is Crucial for WLAN: Line-Of-Sight Requirement

A clear line of sight (the path between two access points) is important for a wireless bridge to work at its full throughput, which is especially true for less urban areas. And LoS can be mainly subdivided into three categories: Full LoS (no obstacles between two transceivers), Near LoS (partial obstruction present, such as treetops) and Non-LoS (full of obstructions in between). WiFi signals will radically deteriorate when penetrating through any type of obstruction. Light waves and radio signals will get reflected off solid objects in their path, which will result in poor signal strength and even cut off the bridge link. For example, things like trees, buildings, or other landscape features or obstructions that may partially or fully block the line of sight between the access points will jeopardize the efficiency of network bridging. So first thing first, to set up the bridging, you have to measure the signal strength in the required coverage area, and make sure you have a good line of sight.


2.4GHz or 5GHz? How Much Bandwidth Is Enough?

Wireless network bridges operate in a wide range of frequencies: 900MHz, 2.4GHz, 3.6GHz, 4.9GHz, 5GHz, etc. Lower frequencies are less susceptible to interference and can penetrate through walls and other obstacles more easily. 2.4GHz can offer a faster network speed and a larger coverage in greater distances but it doesn’t mix well with water and is more susceptible to interference. But one of the advantages of using 2.4GHz WiFi is that most networking devices are using this frequency so there’ll be no interoperability issue. 5GHz is technically capable of delivering higher throughput at a higher data rate than 2.4GHz. And it’s less prone to cross-channel interference, ideal for fast-speed transmission at a shorter range. Thus you should go for lower frequencies for rural places, but in urban areas, 5GHz is more favorable.

Bandwidth is a highly important aspect to consider when picking a wireless bridge to ensure a high-performance network. The device should offer at least a speed of 300Mps for 2.4GHz. And for all times a wireless network bridge with a speed of 900Mpbs will be appreciated. Most 2.4GHz bands support speeds from 450-600Mbps, while the 5GHz WiFi could support speeds up to 1Gbps or more. The average bandwidth consumption of a static IP camera is 4Mpbs (2MP streaming with H.264), while a 4K quality camera requires at least 15Mbps of throughput when streaming with H.265, but the bandwidth will increase to 32Mbps when running H.264. Like any other network device, the signal strength of the wireless bridge will gradually start to degrade as the distance increases. If you’re planning to install multiple IP cameras at the edge, make sure the network bridges you pick have enough bandwidth.

Note: A Fast Ethernet wired interface is also a ‘must-have’ feature for wireless bridging since most network devices are hardwired.

PoE Switch or PoE Injector: Which is Better?


It all depends on how many cameras you want to install at the edge. You can connect one camera directly to the client AP or install multiple cameras at once by using a network switch. Once connected, the client AP will convert the wireless signals into the wired ones that the edge device can understand. Provided that most IP cameras are hardwired and mainly PoE-supported, you can directly use a PoE switch or PoE injector to deliver power and data to the PD(s) without additional power cabling and trenching. The PoE switch provides centralized management to prioritize the traffic forwarded to each PD, which greatly helps improve the scalability of your network. Moreover, by deploying a managed switch, you can configure the low-bandwidth devices to low priority so other high-bandwidth devices like PTZ cameras can get spare bandwidth to work at their full capacity. A reliable power source is also guaranteed from a centralized source rather than multiple randomly distributed wall outlets. On the other hand, the PoE injector is often used when only a few devices are to be installed. If you only plan to install one IP camera, then the PoE injector is absolutely a perfect choice since it’s relatively cheaper. And the point-to-point connection also makes it easier for troubleshooting. And more power can be allocated to the edge device, ideal for installing high-power devices.

Three Steps to Set Up a Point-to-Point Wireless Bridge


Wireless networking provides a solid way for extending the network range and creating long-distance bridges and helps installers to deliver cost-effective and low-latency security solutions. The wireless network bridges normally work under two topologies: point to point (P2P) and point to multi-point (P2MP). In the first scenario, the bridge simply connects the networks in two separate locations and is normally used in cross-building applications. While the P2MP aims to connect multiple networks together and mix them into the same network. But in network bridging, the connection is largely point-to-point.


Where to Install the Wireless Bridge?

Since the point-to-point connection requires a perfect line of sight if possible install the APs in a wide-open area with few obstructions in between to reduce any possible interferences and reflection along the way. If your line of sight is partially or completely obscured, move your access points high up and place them with as much of a clear line of sight between them as possible. Make sure the APs are installed as high as possible, normally placed on the rooftop or mounted on a tower and pole, to keep them far away from the interferences of other radio frequencies and solid obstacles. Besides, since the wireless bridges are often installed outdoors, extra protection is required in extreme weather like thunderstorms, while installing a surge protector will be of great help to protect your devices from damages induced by the lightning waves.

How to Install the Wireless Network Bridge?

Once you’ve got all the preparation done, the connection is pretty straightforward. To set up the wireless network bridge, you will need a router, a pair of wireless APs, a PoE injector, two power adapters and some Ethernet cables. In this case, we’ll take the 450Mbps Outdoor Wireless CPE as an example. The wireless bridge is equipped with a Gigabit PoE port and a Fast Ethernet wired interface, so you can set up at least 2 IP cameras at once. It comes with the next-generation WiFi standard of 802.11ac and runs flawlessly at 450Mbps at an extended range of 1km. Now, follow the instructions below to complete the setup.

1) First, use an Ethernet cable to connect one of the LAN ports on the router to the Gigabit PoE/LAN port of the wireless network bridge. Plug the power adapter into the wall outlet and plug it into the network bridge to activate the device. When the device is online, the digital channel (1-8) will display at the rear. Power another network bridge and make sure the two wireless bridges are aligned on the same level and face-to-face.

2) Then, set up the master AP and slave AP. Switch ‘master’ to ‘slave’ on the slave AP and synchronize the channel on both devices to make sure the ‘master’ and ‘slave’ APs stay on the same channel. And you can alter the configuration by pressing the reset button. Then check the signal indicators on the wireless bridge to ensure the devices are successfully matched.

3) Take another Ethernet cable to connect the LAN port of the ‘slave’ AP to the LAN port of the PoE injector. Power the injector with the DC12V power adapter, and connect it with the IP camera with a third Ethernet cable. If you want to install another IP camera, you can connect it directly to the ‘slave’ AP and power it with an external power supply.

How to Power the Client AP in a Remote Location?

Powering network devices in remote places is challenging, especially when your device is installed outdoors. But we’ve concluded three ways to help you power the wireless network bridge in hard-to-reach areas: using a power adapter; deploying a PoE injector; or installing a solar power system.

1) DC12V Power Adapter

If there is an electrical infrastructure available at the edge, you just need to use power adapters to power up the wireless network bridge and the IP cameras. The power adapter can convert the alternating currents to the low voltage DC power that low power consumption devices can receive. But you need to pay close attention to the maximum power your media converter can consume and choose the compatible power adapter accordingly since the voltage tolerance of every network device varies. And considering most IP cameras require a standard 12V DC power supply, it’s recommended to deploy compatible network devices and power adapters that share the same voltage.

2) PoE Injector

And for some wireless APs that are naturally built with a PoE interface, you might as well use a PoE injector to power the client AP. By using the PoE injector, constant power delivery is guaranteed with an uninterruptible power supply and the conversion from AC to DC power also lowers the risks of power outages/overloads and power failures. Once connected to a power source, the PoE injector will simultaneously convert the received energy to DC power and send it to the wireless bridge. And it will initiate a power handshake procedure to identify if the connected device is PoE-compatible and decide how much power is required. And if the power handshake fails for any reason, then the power will be immediately cut off to ensure the safe operation in outdoor applications.

3) Solar Power System

Since power outlets are often unavailable in hard-to-reach areas, it would be too impractical and expensive to run a traditional wired power source to the edge devices, but the solar power system allows you to install the wireless bridge and IP camera in remote locations, extremely helpful for applications such as oil and gas, construction sites, parking lots, remote gates and ranches. These are the basic components you will need to solar power your network device: a solar panel, a solar charge controller, a rechargeable battery and proper cables for the power load. First of all, you have to calculate your power load. You need to figure out how much energy your solar panel can produce, and you need to know the amount of peak sunlight hours your location gets. Place the solar panel in a location where it will not be in shade for shading of even a small part of the panel can result in low power generation. And you’ll need a solar charge controller to control the amount of charge coming in and out of the battery and the battery will receive the power from the controller and supply it to the connected electrical loads. The setup is very straightforward when you’re using our 10A Solar Charge Controller. First, mount the solar panel on the roof and use a power cord to connect the solar panel to the controller. Use another power cord to connect the battery to the controller. Finally, connect the edge device to the controller, and then the whole system is completed.

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Install Security IP Cameras beyond 100 Meters-Not Just Extending Cable

Installing security IP cameras to get enhanced surveillance and protection for home or business has become popular, but the installation for the cameras or system may be overwhelmed to the majority, especially when if the IP cameras need to be placed over long distance from the closest monitoring point. Here we are going to tell you how to set up IP cameras over long range to meet various applications.

How Far away Can a Security IP Camera to be Placed?

The deployment range of IP cameras vary from camera types, but basically all IP cameras comes with its installation distance limitation. For example, WiFi cameras are affected by WiFi technology and physical barriers, and wired IP cameras are simply influenced by the Ethernet cable and power supplying methods. And today we only focus on the wired IP cameras.

From the starter, it should be known that power and data network are two key things for IP cameras startup, so the installation for IP security camera can be regarded as to solve power and network transmission issue.

Most wired IP cameras employ Ethernet cable to transmit network, but Ethernet cable can only reach a maximum of 100 meters transmission inherently. Generally, IP cameras are powered by using a power adaptor, but there is one special type being used widely now, that is called PoE IP camera, which is common wired IP camera with built-in PoE compatibility. PoE is a new technology to make IP camera cabling to be easier as it enables Ethernet cable to carry power, and we will introduce PoE with more information below.

Then the critical question comes out: how can we place wired IP cameras beyond 100 meters? Typically, if a longer range is required in IP camera setup, people tend to find methods to make the Ethernet cable to be extended, but actually it is not correct or not just that simple. Only extending cable length won’t help data network or PoE to be extended, to get long reach data network or PoE for IP cameras properly in fact should rely on some specially-designed extension tools.

How to Install Security IP Cameras beyond 100 Meters?

To achieve data network or PoE extension for IP cameras, PoE extenders and fiber media converters are applied commonly in practical applications, and there are still some other solutions. I know only listing the name won’t bring actual assistance at some content. In the following, we give solution or advice according to different applications.

Take Advantage of PoE

To finish the long distance IP camera setup, you suppose to know whether AC power source is available or easy to get or not, this depends the cabling. If AC power outlet is absent, we suggest installers to employ PoE connection from the main network. As mentioned above, PoE(Power over Ethernet) enables Ethernet cable to carry power, that said, when run Ethernet cable for camera data streams, power issue is solved simultaneously. Not only eliminates a separate power cabling, and offers high flexibility on placement. Moreover, PoE technology is relatively safer as you don’t bother to deal with dangerous AC power source.

As a result, for PoE IP camera need to be installed over 100 meters(328ft.), we can use PoE extenders to get PoE extension easily and handily.

PoE extender, or caller PoE repeater, is an advanced version of Ethernet extender. It is a PoE-powered device that saves extras present AC power. Place a PoE extender between the PoE NVR and the PoE camera, power and data can be repeated to reach another 100 meters with each unit. In a word, you can think of it as a connector that required no extra power for the whole connection. Some PoE extenders support daisy chain setup, you are able to finish a long-distance deployment at a maximum of 500 meters by daisy chaining the extenders.

But one thing to be noticed, for applications just equip with router and NVR without PoE capability as the main network, the complete connection doesn’t make sense, as the PoE received by a PoE extender is obtained from the back-end(main network), in this situation, you should use PoE NVR or PoE switch instead, or turn to PoE injector for help.

Data Network Extension

Whereas if only the data network is required to be extended to the long range point because an AC power source is present in the scene, or a high power PTZ camera is planned to install.

The straightforward solution is adding a network switch (or Ethernet extender) to repeat the data network. As mentioned at the beginning, the TCP/IP network is limited to 100 meters which means you still need to extend the data network beyond 100 meters. You can place a network switch(or Ethernet extender) at the end of the first 100 meters to have two hundred meters link. However, the switch needs a power source. You should have a power source available at the extension point.

Or from the aspect to save the separate power cabling for the extension tools, you still can take advantage of the PoE extender. The PoE extender can draw the power inline from the back-end PoE switch or injector, and this eliminates the power source, as which we mentioned above. But such applications may bring some requirements in choosing PoE extenders.

I understand you may have a concern about whether it is safe to connect non-PoE devices such as routers, to PoE extender or not. The answer is positive. There is power handshaking within the standard POE system. If the PoE extender can’t verify your edge device needs the PoE, it will only supply the data without the power.

Consequently, it is important to choose PoE extenders support power handshaking mechanism, and this makes extension to be safe enough, especially for business uses. Reliability is crucial to a networking system, especially for security camera systems, any unexpected fail downs of the system may result in severe loss or hassle. Some PoE extenders can provide power handshaking, you should be fine to use it without any issue. Some PoE extender doesn’t provide power handshaking, in this case, you will need to add a PoE Splitter before your IP camera.

More You can Do When Longer Range is Needed

If a longer PoE transmission distance is required, which is about 300-500 meters, what to do can reach? Although we talked previously that PoE extenders can be daisy chained to get longer range, but there is some methods to be more reliable and convenient. Below we are going to introduce two methods that may be so practical and effective and out of the expectation. One is the 300 meters direct-buried PoE extension kit, and the other is the ultra long range PoE switch. Let’s look into these two relatively new concepts.

As to the first new method, work similarly as the way by daisy chaining two PoE extenders, but it has its unique feature, the PoE connection between two PoE extenders can reach up to 300 meters, while commonly daisy chaining two PoE extenders, the distance between the two extenders can only be 100 meters max., which is simply restricted by the Ethernet inherent transmission limitation. Therefore, it is a perfect choice for applications that install at places where are 200 meters to 300 meters away from the main network.

Imagine, only 200-300 meters long Ethernet cable used between the two PoE extenders can solve the long-distance implementation easily and clearly. Especially when immediate burial is required. It just needs to bury the long cable underneath and the two PoE extenders can be placed indoors or in a safe place. Cables are naturally more resistant to water, dust or anything that can cause damage. In addition, it is known that all electronics have a lifespan and are doomed to fail after a few years or decades. It’s a hassle to dig up the broken PoE extender for maintenance or replacement if it’s buried underneath. What a convenient, flexible and reliable system the kit can provide.

If the distance from the main network to the first PoE extender, and from the second PoE extender to the edge IP camera are utilized optimally, it can provide a maximum of 500 meters.

Next, if you already have plan to get a new PoE switch, adopt an ultra long range PoE switch is highly recommended. Unlike those common PoE switches that just can transmit a maximum distance of 100m or 250m(under extended CCTV or VLAN mode), there is special type, namely, ultra long range PoE switches, which feature long-range PoE transmission over a single long Ethernet cable, you are able to obtain a maximum of 500m transmission for IP camera handily as it features a special mechanism plus taking advantage of using a specific adaptor at the edge side.

No extra electrician active devices are present in the long run, reducing the potential for the risk of equipment falls down caused by the harsh installation environment. Apparently, long cable run in the system intends to serve a better resistance to bad weather, power surges, or other risks alike. The data speed won’t be a concern if you desire to adopt such a switch for IP devices that think network speed is the premise factor. Because the ultra long range PoE switch can remain 100Mbps network speed even in a 500m deployment. The multiple PoE ports meet the requirements of installation of a system with multiple IP cameras or other IP devices around the same location.

Is High Bandwidth & Low Latency Required?

PoE extenders or ultra long range PoE switches utilize PoE technology and Ethernet cable, the network speed will be interfered and lost in line, especially in a large length setup. For applications need to build a connection with high bandwidth and low latency capacity over long distance, the final solution should be fiber optic network. Because fiber optic technology has overcome the geographical and operational challenges of long-distance deployments with a maximum distance of up to 80 km without signal boosters, which makes use of glass or plastic fiber optic cable to achieve it.

To build a fiber optic network for IP camera installation, we can classify into three parts, including main network, signal conversion and connection. Below diagram we show you how to use optical fiber network in IP camera setup.

Main network may be existing or is easy to build one. Ethernet or PoE network generally consists of routers, Ethernet switch, or PoE switch, moreover, and when referring to IP surveillance network, NVR or PoE NVR will include for most situations.

Regarding to signal conversion, we should learn some basics. The main network part employs Ethernet cable to transmit electric signal, whereas fiber optic network use fiber optic cable to transmit light signal. As a result, signal conversion tool are needed, and they are fiber media converters and SFP transceivers(aka SFP modules). These two gadgets have to work together to finish the signal conversion job, and for most applications, they are both used in a pair. Some people wonder why these two things don’t produce as one product directly, and this is largely determined by the SFP modules. In order to meet different needs, SFP modules are varied network speeds and transmission distances, and some of them only work with specific brands due to different protocols being used.

Last but not the least, connection is the key for a successful installation. As illustrated above, we need to use fiber optic cable as connection or transmitting media for signal. Fiber optic cables are divided into single-mode and multi-mode fiber optic cables. Single-mode serves a long distance transmission with higher bandwidth due to its cable structure, a cleaner channel is used to transmit signal with less attenuation. Multi-mode fiber cables are more widely for applications with a shorter transmission distance(within 300-400 meters). Fiber optic cable are not always pre-made like Ethernet cable, it is a quite complicate work to get connector attached properly, but for home or regular business use, pre-terminated fiber optic cable is a fair option. The connectors have been pre-terminated and 100% tested in the factory, so the performance effect can be guaranteed and it features plug-and-play to make connector termination easier and faster.

What if Installing Multiple IP Cameras?

For applications to install not just one or two cameras in the long distance, using PoE extenders for each link is not cost-efficient and increase installation hassle as you need to run long cable from the main network to each PoE extender and to each IP camera separately. Here you should consider to use PoE switch or PoE powered switch to reduce long range deployment challenge, to place a PoE switch at a suitable point, only one main cabling is needed instead.

These two methods are differ from how they get power. PoE switches need to be powered by AC power source by plugging an adaptor into an power outlet, which PoE powered switches accept PoE power option. Let’s see how this works.

If AC power source is available for extension tool, to choose PoE switches is feasible. PoE switches integrate multiple Ethernet or PoE ports in one unit, you can daisy chain one after the main network device like router or NVR, and power and network can be delivered over single cable then supply for IP cameras at different points. Similarly, a maximum of 100 meters PoE transmission is extended. But if you ask for greater distance, it is not reasonable to daisy chain more PoE switches to avoid heavy data latency problem, and ensure the stability for the whole system.

While if AC power is not easy to get, I believe PoE powered switch is the best assistance. By using the PoE passthrough switch, you can easily extend PoE for another 100 meters by transmitting power and data simultaneously via one network cable. 

PoE powered switches, also called PoE passthrough switches, work as both a powered device (PD) and a power sourcing equipment (PSE), which means that the switch itself can be powered by a PSE (PoE switch or PoE injector) while simultaneously providing power to the connected PDs(IP camera). Since the PoE passthrough switch has built-in passthrough feature, it can be installed in any place without the constraints of an AC outlet.

What’s more, in order to provide multiple PoE ports, the PoE powered switch should have high PoE power budget, so some PoE powered switches utilize IEEE802.3bt standard, which means they can receive PoE++ and supplying PoE to multiple ports. Certainly, it also can connect to non-PoE devices, in these cases, only data will be released.

More Information Need to Know in Long distance IP Camera Setup

Consider Power Loss is Necessary

Make clear how much power is needed for the extension device is not only need to figure out the power consumption of the IP cameras, but also require to think about power loss issue.

There is always a loss of performance during transmission, especially in long-distance implementations. The electricity is dissipated as heat and released into the air, eventually leading to great voltage drops over the long cable runs. In theory, the longer the distance, the more power loss. Hence considering power loss plays an important role in the selection of extension equipment.

PoE Extension Emphasis Compatibility

PoE complies with different PoE standards, including IEEE802.3at, IEEE802.3af, and IEEE802.3bt as well. These standards depend how much power the PoE extension devices can be received and supplied. Find out the actual power budget is needed, and then choose the compatible one to decrease installation failures. And there are passive PoE extension devices available, this kinds of devices may not work compatibly or safely with your ready-to-install PoE cameras.

Choose Pure Copper Cable if Possible

Remember to utilize pure copper Ethernet cable, Cat5e, or Cat6 or higher categories to avoid voltage drop and decrease power loss problems. Especially when the distance of cabling is a little bit long, pure copper cables experience a weak power and data loss inline. The cable quality determines how much power and bandwidth can be remained and be received by the camera over a long run inline. Pure copper cable is able to provide a better performance and safety to connection compared to the cheaper copper clad aluminum(CCA) cables. If the cable are sold at a too low price, it may need to confirm the quality repeatedly.

Implement Surge Protection is Useful

For IP surveillance camera installation, especially for the outdoor applications, it is quite important to implement protection measures to ensure the stability and durability.And you should concern the harm of surges, especially under lightning days. Lightning strike is considered one of the most dangerous and deadly events that can occur in outdoor network installations, damaging sensitive data center equipment and even causing personal injury. Try to secure the whole PoE system with enhanced surge protection by adding PoE surge protectors at both sides.

Look into Waterproof Rated in Outdoor Deployment

Additionally, water ingress issue is a main reason to cause device damage or system failure. If the extension tool may be placed at  wash-down areas or high-humidity places, it is bether to pick up the outdoor-rated type, which are well designed with at least IP67 waterproof rated houses, and this gives a better guarantee to enhance system stability and extend the usage life.

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Comprehensive Guide-How to Install IP Camera Using PoE?

PoE Cameras are commonly applied in IP surveillance system for home or business nowadays. Unlike traditional IP cameras powered with a direct direct source via a power cord, PoE cameras can take advantages of PoE. This post we are going to go through PoE basic knowledge and provide you with comprehensive guide to use PoE in practical IP camera installation.



Cameras with PoE

First of all, you suppose know that PoE cameras comes with different types, they may vary from image quality, monitoring area, or function as well. Bullet cameras, PTZ camera, dome cameras are typical types, they can be found on the market easily now. And the budget for installing IP cameras is not out of control, most of people or business can afford it. Moreover, camera with zoom functions, like PTZ cameras, vari-focal cameras, can meet applications with a request on flexibility.

Then we get back to the point, grasp the basic of PoE helps reduce doubts in learning the following PoE camera installation guide.

What is PoE?

PoE is the abbreviation for Power over Ethernet, which has been a novel wiring solution for network devices for decades. It allows Ethernet cable to carry power, that being said, power and data are transmitted simultaneously for the connected IP device over a single twisted pair Ethernet cable. This enhanced technology is widely used to power various low voltage IP devices, such as IP cameras, wireless access points, VoIP phones, etc.

Why Use PoE?

Reduce Installation Hassle and Cost

Set up IP cameras, it is known that power and network are two things required to deal with. PoE enables Ethernet cable to transmit power, you are able to get rid of the hassle to solve network and power separately. And this eliminates the need for a dedicated AC power outlet present around the camera’s mounting point. In this way, the owners or installers can get great flexibility on the placement of their cameras.

And it helps save investment, image if you choose to build commercial network without PoE support, a professional electrician is required to take care of the power line. The installation cost could be higher.

Stable PoE Wired Connection

Some prefer to employ WiFi cameras to build IP surveillance system because its handy wireless connectivity capability, but in some situations, it may brings issues to ensure the stability for the system. The main reason is the inherent limitation of WiFi transmission, including vulnerability to interference, limited coverage within a short distance, restricted to bandwidth, or something alike. Furthermore, WiFi camera only save network cabling, it still ask for power to work. Therefore, cabling seems inevitable, then why not just choose PoE cameras using PoE power solution, solve power and network issues at a time, and achieve a IP camera system with great stability or reliability.

Centralized Power System

Additionally, as mentioned previous, power can transmitted from the main network device over Ethernet cable, it is able to build a centralized power system with easier management and better protection on power source, realizing a safer video surveillance.

Safe PoE Cabling

PoE features low voltage cabling, you don’t need to deal with dangerous AC power, there is lower risk if you want to build the IP camera system by yourself. What’s more, when choose devices complied standard PoE as the main PSE(power sourcing equipment), it would be an addition to system safety thanks to its PoE detection mechanism.

How to Power PoE Cameras Using PoE?

Actually, there are various ways to deal with power for security IP cameras. If the AC power is presented closed to cameras, you just need to plug the enclosed power adaptor. While if the power is difficult to acquire, or you need to send the power from the monitoring center or somewhere far from the cameras. PoE power solution can get the job done easily and safely. Here we will list 5 power options using PoE for your reference.

Option#1：Power PoE Camera with PoE Injector

PoE injector is a hand tool make PoE camera work greatly with existing home or business networking system. Routers are used widely to build an IP network, but most of them are not compatible with PoE cameras, if just add the camera to it won’t work. And a PoE injector is the key for solving such problem for the reason that it allows you to add PoE to a non-PoE network. Here is the diagram to show how to use PoE injector with router and PoE camera.

PoE injectors do the job of power injection to router, and they are powered by plugging into wall power outlets, then AC power is converted to DC, which can be acceptable for PoE cameras. Adding a PoE injector to the existing network won’t cause data damage thanks to its seamless connection. And this is an easy plug-and-play job, which can be accomplished by the end-users themselves safely.

All in all, Using PoE injectors to power is highly recommended when there are only one or two new PoE cameras under the circumstance that there are adequate spare RJ45 Ethernet ports. If the PoE injector have to be installed in a harsh environment, indoor or outdoor, it is better to choose those specially designed to adapt harsh environment with high resistance to water, dust, extreme temperature, etc. It can reduce the investment in maintenance and replacement dramatically.

Option#2：Power PoE Camera with PoE Hub

If not just one or two units of PoE cameras need to install, using PoE injector as the power source is a bit inconvenience, as one PoE injector generally supports one PoE out, so installing each PoE camera requires one PoE injector to be added to the link. In this case, PoE hub is a choice. Look through the following diagram showed how to use PoE hub with PoE cameras.

All the IP cameras will be attached to the PoE ports on the hub. The corresponding data ports need to be linked to the backend network switch with a short patch cord. The PoE hub can be considered as multiple PoE injectors squeezing into a box and sharing the same power source. The PoE hub doesn’t provide any data exchange. Technically it just injects the power to the Ethernet cable. We don’t see the PoE hub these days. The next option PoE switch is more convenient to power multiple cameras especially when the PoE switch becomes affordable now.

Option#3：Power PoE Camera with PoE Switch

If quite a certain of PoE cameras are required to be installed under the same network, or the IP camera system is built for larger scale applications like offices, factories, warehouse or others alike, then PoE switch is a better power option. Because PoE switches permit installers to get a customized IP surveillance system definite meet their installation requirement. Let’s go for the diagram directly tell you how to use PoE switches with network switches and PoE cameras.

The PoE switch is a network switch with a built-in PoE injector, and it can serve multiple ports to connect a certain of PoE cameras with less cabling hassle. PoE switches can integrate multiple PoE cameras with network switches without built-in PoE capability(which are universally applied in business fields before) over one main cabling. And based on the port numbers, the PoE switches can be classified into 4/8/16/32/64-port PoE switches.

To choose PoE switches as the power option for PoE cameras setup, there is apparent advantages. Firstly, you can choose managed or unmanaged PoE switches according to the needs for manageability and configurability. Managed switches give flexibility and efficiency on system setup and management. Unmanaged PoE switches offer simplicity. In addition, nearly every PoE switch will have at least 2 uplink ports for network connection and data uploading (router/network switch and NVR). To satisfy outdoor or industrial uses asking high reliability, there are outdoor PoE switches or industrial PoE switches available on the market.

Option#4：Power PoE Camera with PoE NVR

Majority of IP surveillance camera system needs a central network video recorder (NVR) to handle the recording, video and alarm management. Thus, if your IP surveillance system includes a NVR, taking PoE NVR to supply power for PoE cameras is a fair selection. See the diagram below to know how to connect PoE NVR and PoE cameras.

PoE NVR can be considered as a video recorder integrated with PoE switch, the PoE NVR can deliver power and data to the IP cameras at the same time, eliminating the need for installing an external PoE switch. But PoE NVRs available in the market may not possess advanced features like SNMP, PoE control and monitoring, etc. as the PoE switches do. Therefore, the PoE NVR is suitable for installing only three or four IP cameras, ideal for users with minimal network administration experience and small networks such as start-up businesses and homes. It’s an option to ease the pressure of the current NVR, offer additional security and avoid broadcast storms.

Option#5：Using Passive PoE to Power

There is a primitive method to send the power to the IP camera, but we don’t recommend you implement it unless you know what you are doing well. Any mistaking wiring could melt your IP camera directly.

There are 4 twisted pairs in standard cat5e or cat6 Ethernet cable. Actually, only two twisted pairs (12-36) are being employed to send the data in the fast network (10/100Mbps), which leaves two spare twisted pairs (45-78) to send the power. You can wire the DC12V low voltage power source to spare twisted pairs. The first important thing is polarity. Do not mix the positive and negative polarity otherwise you smoke your camera. There is no overload or overvoltage protection here. It is all on your own. Moreover, you only can send the power in a short distance, the voltage drop will become an issue when the distance becomes longer.

Step by Step Installation Guide and Tips for PoE Cameras Setup

Prepare Main Tools Needed

Figuring out what tools and material are required to finish the setup should be the first step. Here we cover you with the checklist.

  • PoE cameras
  • PoE injector/PoE hub/PoE switch/PoE NVR
  • Ethernet cable(Cat5/Cat6)
  • Drill
  • Fish tape

Test Equipment and Cable Before Cabling

Test all the equipment and cable is of great importance before the implement of cabling. As you know, it would be quite frustrated when confront situation like everything is ready and you are happy to verify the performance of the system but it fail to work normally, it will take quite some time to find out which part go wrong, especially if the cable were run or buried. So take some time to test all the needed things can save lots of trouble and time or money.

Confirm the Feasibility of Your Planned Route

It is suggested to walk along with the routes of cabling at least one time to check whether they are feasible and rational or not. It is known that due to its heavy weight and long length, wiring is definitely a tough job which is not so easy for installers to handle. The one-time success of the wiring is therefore the basic condition. And by going along with the planned cabling routes, obstructions and problems can be spotted, giving you plenty of time to seek for solutions to tackle in advance, saving the frustrations of unnecessary work and delayed deployment period.

Placement Matters a Lot

The placement issue of the camera is not only needs to know where to place, and actually should consider whether the placement can realize the maximum performance or not. In other words, adequate consideration of camera placement may lead to ineffective surveillance. Below listed some points that call for extra notice.

  • A qualified or ideal security camera system should get all the entrances or other relatively vulnerable parts of your homes or businesses.
  • Cameras are recommended to mount at high points for better monitoring and security.
  • Don’t make the light shine directly to the cameras avoiding overexposure.
  • Try to avoid placing cameras close to windows.
  • Make the camera to be covered getting better protection.
  • Cameras should be placed at locations where comply with the individual privacy and local laws and regulations.

Drill Required Holes

After make the decision on the placement, drilling holes required in the setup is the step with manually operation. You can divide this job into two parts. One the drill holes for the cable from the main control room to the respective placement locations of the PoE cameras. And the other is the holes for the mounting the cameras. Ensure your drill makes holes suitable for the cable size. Try to avoid drilling on an exterior wall to keep it resistance to water, cold or heat.

Pull the Wires

The next step is to pull wires to accomplish the connection. If install camera outside, two persons to cooperate can ease the difficulty. One person stands at one side to keep the cable to be even, and the other runs the cable slowly, and reduce cable tangled issue. To make use of fish tape is able to enhance cable pulling process with more simplicity and effectiveness.


Choose Proper Mounting Methods

PoE cameras have different types, and they also vary from mounting methods, ceiling mounting, wall mounting, and pole mounting are opted to meet different installation requirements or applications. Choose the proper one according to your needs, and to confirm if the cameras support it or not.

Implement Essential Protection

For IP surveillance camera system, especially for the outdoor type, it is quite important to implement protection measures to ensure the stability and durability. Usually the cable can be hanged in the air or buried under the ground, it is better to add plastic tube, like PVC conduit to protect the cable. And you should concern the harm of surges, especially under lightning days. Try to secure the whole PoE system with enhanced surge protection by adding PoE surge protectors at both sides.

Turn to Experts to Solve Specialized Work

If encounter specialized works like bury cable underground or hang cable in the air, this not a simple work can be done by users or installers lacking professional knowledge or skills. Ask for assistance from experts in the responding fields.

Don’t Forget Adjustment and Settings

To fit different applications and requirements, and the mounting environment as well, the field of view or viewing angle of the cameras should be adjusted to get optimal performance and monitoring area. It is a useful way to get the unwanted or useless parts eliminated from the monitoring area, and the recording space provided by NVR is able to be made the best use.

Additional Considerations

How much power do security cameras use?

Make clear how much power the ready-to-set security camera is consumed is of crucial significance, otherwise, the camera won’t start working because of deficient input power. And the way to know the how much power needed depends on power consumption and installation distance.

Power consumption of the cameras are generally revealed in the product brochure or specification tag attached on the cameras. As PoE is centralized power solution, then you need to calculate the total power budget required.

Installation distance is another factor to be considered due to power loss in line. Power indeed is lost partially in the cable during the transmission, and generally, the farther the distance is, the more power is lost. Once the distance is reached the limited amount, then PoE cameras can’t be powered because receiving sufficient power.

Installing IP camera beyond 100 meters is not that simple.

Above we talked that installation distance will affect the received power for PoE cameras, and if install IP camera in the distance beyond 100 meters, it needs additional consideration as PoE comes with its limitation on transmission distance. PoE technology utilizes Ethernet cable for connection, while Ethernet cable actually only can supply a maximum of 100 meters(328ft.) of data transmission. Beyond this, the signal begins to degrade, reducing the speed and reliability of the connection. Fortunately, we still can find solutions to make a successful connection beyond 100 meters using Ethernet cable. For a long distance IP security camera system setup, you are able to use PoE extender or PoE extension solution to solve long distance IP camera setup easily.

Connection cable is a crucial factor to system reliability.

The use of qualified PoE devices and cables is the guarantee of the stability of the whole system. You are supposed to choose one with pure copper cable to avoid voltage drop problem. Cat5e and Cat6 cable are two types of Ethernet cable for common use. The pure copper can decrease the power loss on the cable, otherwise power loss will turn to new issues if low quality cable is used. It will be converted to heat inline and create voltage drop at the other end of the cable. If the cable are sold at a too low price, it may need to confirm the quality repeatedly.

Why not use PoE?

PoE compatible devices require a high investment as common network devices like routers or network switches with low price. And in fact, centralized power system has its pros and cons, safety is the pro, and high risk is the con. For instance, one PoE switch is able to connect multiple cameras, but if the PoE switch is broken, that means all the connected PoE cameras will stop working at the same time. Moreover, PoE only can meet low voltage IP cameras with low power consumption as the maximum power PoE can support only can reach 90W by now.

PoE is not all the same! 

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) defined PoE with standards, which combines with other vendors to attempt to solve power supply issue. And PoE technology has been through decades of development so far. PoE varies from different standards to supply different amounts of output power, including IEEE802.3af(12.9W), IEEE802.3at(25.5W), and IEEE802.3bt(71W) standard. For IP cameras, IEEE802.3af/at is enough, only if your camera is the special ones, like pan-tilt-zoom(PTZ) cameras equipped with heaters, in this case, IEEE802.3bt PoE injector or PoE splitter is suitable.

Conclusion

PoE technology is mature and safe to use now. Installing IP camera using PoE can be finished by yourself simply if you have grasp the key points should know in the setup. But if you are still interested in the needed things to build a IP camera system, this post may help.

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IP Cameras: Fixed Lens VS. Varifocal Lens

IP cameras are proven to be one of the most effective security devices to deter burglaries and intrusion. They play a crucial part in combating crimes and upholding justice. And in recent years, IP cameras are widely deployed in residential, commercial and industrial applications for asset protection and theft prevention. Choosing the right IP camera is especially important for your surveillance system. IP cameras are priced differently for many reasons, but one of the main factors is the lens, and generally, you’ll be faced with two options: fixed lens and varifocal lens.



What’s a Fixed-Lens Camera?

The fixed-lens camera, as its name implies, is equipped with a fixed-focal lens that doesn’t allow you to change the focal length and field of view of the camera, so the position of the fixed-lens camera is crucial provided it has a limited view and there is no zooming activity occurring. But a limited view also guarantees more details captured in the frame. Almost all of the fixed-lens cameras are wide-angle, which helps eliminate dead zones in smaller areas.

The fixed-lens camera is the most cost-effective and appropriate choice for domestic use to help housekeepers build a comprehensive surveillance camera in a more budget-friendly way. It’s relatively cheaper. Although the viewing angle of the fixed-lens camera cannot be easily adjusted once installed, if properly positioned, it can still make sure the most critical areas be covered. Moreover, the footage of such cameras can be ‘zoomed’ in on after. Additionally, the fixed-lens camera always comes in a compact size. With few moving parts, it’s also easier to set up. Compared with a varifocal lens, the fixed lens has a less complicated construction and can generate clearer images.



Mini 5MP IR IP Camera with 2.8mm Lens

This 5MP IR IP Camera comes in a dome shape, featuring a high resolution of up to 5MP at 25ps and a wider-angle lens of 2.8mm. It’s equipped with a removable IR cut filter: in the daytime, the filter covers the sensor to provide color footage, while at night the filter opens to generate B&W clear 1080p images in the dead of night, offering a maximum night vision range of 10 meters. Protected in an IP66 waterproof, vandal-proof housing, this PTZ camera can operate safely in any imaginable environment under a wider temperature range of -35°C to 55°C. Compliant with IEEE802.3af, this 5MP IR IP Camera can be directly powered by a PoE switch or PoE injector via the same network cable, eliminating additional power cabling.



What’s a Varifocal-Lens Camera?

The various-lens camera, however, is built with an adjustable focal length, which allows you to adjust the viewing angle for any particular application to deliver a larger field of view. If you plan on changing the angle of the camera every now and then, the varifocal camera is obviously a wiser investment over the longer run. In this way, you don’t have to reinstall the camera to a different location every time. With the various-lens camera, you can change the focus of the camera to adjust the view to the desired location. And you can easily zoom in or out on a target to capture faraway or small objects like license plates.

Unlike the fixed-lens camera, the varifocal camera gives you more flexibility and adaptability when selecting an installation site and it’s great for focusing on one area. It’s more suitable for business applications to monitor the main entrances of the buildings, gateways, parking lots, warehouses, etc. Since it’s very hard to envision the exact field of view you need on the installation site, using a varifocal camera allows you to get the desired view. Thanks to variable focal length, you can easily zoom in the lens to get a clearer image and zoom out to get a wider view without affecting the image quality.

How does the varifocal camera work? Is it necessary?

Unlike the PTZ camera which can change its focal length automatically via scheduling or controlled through a smart app, most varifocal cameras only support manually adjustable lenses, which means you need to adjust the lens to the desired angle during the installation. Once adjusted, it will stay at this angle forever unless you adjust it once again. With the varifocal security cameras, you can capture a wider area in enough detail. And here are the situations, you must employ a varifocal camera: 1) when you only have the budget to install one camera in the room; 2) when you cannot mount the camera close to a place of interest; 3) when you need to get a close look at the passing person and vehicles; 4) when you need to identify a subject or target 15 meters away.

H.265 5MP PoE Bullet IR IP Camera with Vari-focal Lens

Long and cylindrical in shape, this PoE Bullet IR IP Camera is designed to target one specific location with a substantial viewing angle. It’s capable of housing a larger lens, covering a larger area, which makes it ideal for surveillance in places like parking lots, airports, and traffic intersections to provide higher levels of detail. Additionally, its distinguishable appearance also serves as an effective visual deterrent to burglars and thieves. It can record videos at stunning 5MP with a 2.8-12mm varifocal lens and 4x optical zoom. The infrared illuminators will automatically switch on to light up the monitored area 30 meters away. This camera is also equipped with an intelligent person detection function, so when a person enters the detection zone, auto-tracking will be automatically triggered.

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PTZ Speed Dome Cameras for IP Surveillance

Security cameras are crucial to any type of surveillance system. Camera footage is extremely useful in criminal investigation and evidence taking to prevent activities like illegal poaching. It’s a helpful tool to safeguard your property and business, but the question is “which camera is the best for your surveillance system?”. The most commonly used security cameras are bullet cameras, dome cameras and PTZ cameras. The bullet camera comes with a bullet-shaped housing, a fixed lens, etc., and is ideal for monitoring larger areas. The dome camera is more low-profile and has a tinted casing that prevents intruders from recognizing in which direction the camera is pointing. But sometimes, we don’t want to be limited to a camera’s field of view, and here’s where the PTZ camera comes in. It provides more comprehensive coverage and gives us more freedom to customize our surveillance needs.



What is a PTZ Camera?

The PTZ camera is a kind of security camera that can pan side-to-side, tilt up and down and zoom in and zoom out. It is typically used to provide surveillance for wider areas that require a 180°-360° view and 24/7 continuous monitoring. It can be operated in remote locations via the internet from the control room. Compared with the traditional IP cameras, the PTZ camera has a highly movable lens while the camera stays completely stationary within its housing. It can capture footage at various angles and can zoom in and out to capture more details and cover a larger area. It’s commonly used in business and commercial surveillance systems like office buildings, factories, and some public areas such as schools and hospitals. And it can also be seen in railway stations and intersection traffic monitoring.



The Functions of PTZ Cameras in IP Surveillance

Here, we’ve summarized the basic functions of PTZ cameras in IP surveillance.

Optical Zooming: One of the biggest advantages of using PTZ cameras is their ability to zoom in and zoom out, which can be of great help to capture faraway or small objects like license plates. There are two basic ways of zooming: optical zooming and digital zoom. Optical zoom physically adjusts the focal length of the lens, while digital zoom uses magnification technology to make a subject appear close-up by enlarging pixels in the center of the image. In digital zooming, resolution and image quality will be greatly compromised, while optical zooming will keep image resolution the same no matter how far you zoom in.

Motion Tracking & Auto-focus: Although a great number of IP security cameras support motion tracking functions, the PTZ cameras offer a more powerful and reliable motion-based auto-tracking to target the moving subjects (even a high-speed moving vehicle) automatically and more freely with the Pan-Tilt-Zoom capacities to cover a larger area. Additionally, nearly all PTZ cameras can auto-focus: they can automatically adjust the focus while tilting, panning or zooming until you get a clear image and can make out all necessary details of the scene.


Automatic Tours: The PTZ camera can be configured or preset to patrol or scout pre-determined areas automatically and repeatedly at a certain speed and interval. For instance, the PTZ camera can be configured to pan, tilt, or zoom every one minute to capture different areas of interest within the camera’s overall surveillance area. But since it is programmed to change its facial view and camera angle now and then, scientifically speaking, a PTZ camera cannot guarantee a 360-degree perspective in actual applications——there’s and always will be a dead zone or blind spot, and it’s also the reason why you need to set up multiple security cameras at a time. What’s more, you can also manually control the camera to turn and rotate to provide a constant view of an area if you spot any suspicious activities at the scene.



How to Install the PTZ Camera?

A functioning surveillance system offers full property coverage around the clock, and it’s normally composed of different types of security cameras, a router, a power device like a PoE switch, an Network Video Recorder (NVR), and proper cabling.

Mounting the Camera

There are many ways to mount the PTZ cameras but choose one that works best for your situation. Avoid placing the camera in places where they will face direct sunlight, which will jeopardize the visibility. Fastcabling’s PTZ cameras are all designed for wall-mounting: 1) mark the areas where the wall-mount bracket will be placed and drill some holes accordingly; 2) Attach the bracket to the wall and tighten it with screws; 3) feed the pigtails of the PTZ camera up into the bracket and slide the camera up into place until you feel the camera lock into the bracket; 4) tighten the bolts on the bracket arm to secure the PTZ camera.

Wiring the Cables

After you’ve mounted the PTZ camera to the wall, you should consider how to get the power and network. Since our PTZ cameras are compliant with IEEE802.3 standards, you can send power and data to the cameras simultaneously via the same cables. Follow the procedures here to complete the connection: 1) plug the PoE switch into a power outlet; 2) take a short patch cord, connect one end to one of the uplink ports on the PoE switch and connect the other end to the router; 3) take another cable, connect one end to the other uplink port of the switch and connect the other end to the NVR; 4) take an Ethernet cable, connect one end to one of the PoE ports on the switch and the other end to the pigtail of the PTZ camera. When the PTZ camera starts to activate, then the connection is completed.

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Key Functions of NVRs in IP Surveillance

A network video recorder (NVR) is crucial to any type of IP surveillance system. Security cameras can be installed to deter potential burglaries and provide reliable cues for security investigations, but the NVR is where all important data and footage end up. It can record both video and audio and handle multiple IP cameras at once.

What is an NVR?

The NVR is an IP camera recording system that records video footage and stores it in a hard drive disk, cloud storage or other mass storage device. It provides a centralized video control to allow you to easily view, record and manage the footage. The NVR gives you more flexibility on the installation site since the cameras don’t need to be hardwired to the recorder (they only need to work on the same wireless network). However, it’s relatively more expensive since it’s greatly improved with various features like remote monitoring and dual-monitor displays (HDMI & VGA).



Key Functions of NVRs

Live Stream——The most basic function of the NVR is to provide remote access to real-time footage of your IP cameras via digital Internet Protocol so you will have cameras automatically displayed on the monitor once successfully connected. The camera will send out two video streams to the recorder: mainstream and substream. The mainstream is of high resolution and high bitrate, the exact quality the NVR records at. On the other hand, the substream is the secondary stream coming from the camera to the recorder that comes with a lower resolution and bitrate. And live viewing is normally going to be the substream of video feeds to reduce the load on decoding. But the NVR can still record on mainstream quality even when streaming the substream.

Video Storage——Another important feature of all video recorders (either DVR or NVR) is their ability to store the footage captured by the cameras. The recorder can manage and control the data flows of multiple IP cameras and upload it to the monitor screen or a computer where you can edit the footage whenever you want. As previously discussed, the NVR will record the footage at the higher-quality mainstream, and more detail will be expressed. It also enables its users to take backup of the recordings manually when needed.

Playback——Many times, it’s not always possible for a property owner or a security guard to monitor the premise in real time. But with the playback function, you can view the footage captured by the surveillance cameras at any time and search through footage by camera, date, time, and media type once you log in to your account. Assuming that a burglar breaks into your house when you’re away, these recorded videos could serve as strong evidence to help local police arrest the suspect. Furthermore, thanks to the playback feature, you will never bother to hire a security guard to scout your premises 24/7 to protect your home and business.



Classification of NVRs

NVRs can be classified into different types according to their specifications and features.

NVR vs. PoE NVR

According to the functions of PoE, NVRs can be divided into regular NVRs and PoE NVRs. The NVR only provides basic features like live viewing, video recording, playback, etc. It offers a centralized video control to allow you to store and process the captured footage. The PoE NVR is a video recorder that has a built-in PoE switch. It can deliver power and data to the IP cameras at the same time, eliminating the need for installing an external PoE switch. The PoE NVR can connect three or four IP cameras at a time (hardwired), ideal for users with minimal network administration experience and small networks like start-up businesses.


On-Premise NVR vs. Cloud-Based NVR

The on-premise NVR normally stores the footage on a hard drive disk, so when the device breaks, all the data will be gone. But you don’t have to pay for subscriptions every month as you will when using a cloud-based NVR. The cloud-based NVR is a recorder that stores data in the Cloud. It can be securely accessed anytime, anywhere and from any authorized device to ensure you can gain 24/7 access to the cameras. Cloud storage also allows you to easily expand to more cameras. The cloud-based NVR allows you to store the data for such a long time that even if the device fails the data will remain. And all the data will be stored in an encrypted form.

How to Pick the Right NVR for IP Surveillance System?

Here, we’ve included a buying guide to help you pick the best NVR for your system.

1. Channels and recording resolution

NVR can be classified by the number of channels (16/32/64) it supports so you have to make sure the NVR has more than the required number of channels. For example, if you plan to install 4 IP cameras at once, it’s suggested to choose an 8-channel NVR for future expansion. Moreover, recording resolution is also essential to set up a high-definition video surveillance system. Higher resolution means greater amounts of detail, but accordingly, larger file sizes will be generated. Some NVRs will support high-resolution recording in all channels, while others only have HD available in 1-2 channels.

2. Interoperability

Unlike the DVR system which shows high interoperability in mixing and matching cameras from different brands, some NVRs can only support IP cameras from the same brand. So it is essential that the NVR is onvif-compliant or supports PSIA protocols to allow the NVR to work with different-branded cameras. Most IP cameras are now onvif-compatible, but if you want to stick to your existing cameras, it’s recommended to choose an NVR that comes with high interoperability.


3. Storage capacity and video compression

Storage capacity also plays an important part in video surveillance. Apart from local storage with the built-in HDDs, the NVR should support Cloud/software storage for video archiving with external storage options (USB/eSATA interfaces). To attain high-quality compressed files, you should pick an NVR that supports the latest video compression standard of H.265 (HEVC) to deliver the highest-quality images at lower bit rates (50% reduced) with greater coding efficiency, which drastically reduces the storage and bandwidth requirements, making high-quality video compression more affordable.

4. Other Advanced functions

Apart from the basic storage and playback functions, the NVR should have audio and alarm interfaces to help you incorporate the video surveillance system with other security devices like detection sensors or security alarms. Some recorders are greatly improved with multiple smart features like remote control, real-time message alerts and dual-monitor display (HDMI & VGA). Furthermore, 64-Ch Network Video Recorder from FASTCABLING also supports local management with extra USB interfaces to operate with a USB mouse and keyboard.

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Long Range Wireless LAN

If you want to extend a network from one building to another, the best answer would always be running another Ethernet cable (direct-burial type) to build a wired connection between two separate networks, but if you’re trying to bridge a distance beyond 500 meters or more, you might experience severe signal degradation as the distance increases since Ethernet only supports a maximum transmission distance of 100 meters. And deploying fiber optic cables would be more expensive whether it be laid in a conduit or buried underground. To extend your network in a more budget-friendly way, you can use a pair of wireless network bridges to enable the communication between two separate networks and provide a way for them to work as a single network.

What is a Wireless Network Bridge?


Simply put, the wireless network bridge is a device designed to join different segments of a network together, and it’s created by using radio signals to connect two wireless access points over long distances. Wireless network bridging is gradually gaining popularity these days, especially in local networks, to set up a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint connection in cross-building offices, neighboring districts, nearby towns, etc. And since the communication between the two units is bidirectional. They don’t simply work in an ‘emitter+receiver’ mode in which one access point unilaterally broadcasts the radio signals to another AP. In wireless bridging, the client AP can not only receive but also transmit the signals back to the master AP. And in most cases, the connection between these two APs is a point-to-point link, so it cannot be easily affected by other microwaves and spectrums.



Why Do You Need the Wireless Network Bridge?


By deploying the wireless network bridge, you can cover a larger physical area at a greater distance and higher throughput. It helps further the extension of physical networks without running any wires, saving time and installation costs. And the wireless network also makes it easier to modify the network for future expansion. It ensures the optimal performance of the network segments and reduces bandwidth waste by preventing unnecessary data flows between the networks considering the radio signals can be broadcast in a 360-degree pattern. Moreover, the network reliability is higher in the wireless network bridge, and it’s relatively easier to maintain and troubleshoot. And network congestion and collision can be highly reduced by segmenting the networks to increase the bandwidth and efficiency of each network segment. In addition, some network bridges can also connect networks with different architectures and media types, like WiFi and Ethernet.


Buying Guide for the Best Wireless Network Bridges


By any chance, if you’ve ever failed to connect two separate networks together for physical restraints, you should consider investing in the wireless network bridges. Since there are various models out there with different specifications and features, we’ve concluded a brief buying guide to help you pick the right wireless bridge for your network:

1) Speed is a highly important aspect to consider when picking a wireless bridge to ensure a high-performance network. The device should offer at least a speed of 300Mps for 2.4Ghz. And for all times a wireless network bridge with a speed of 900Mpbs will be appreciated.

2) And it’s also important that your network bridges can offer a decent transmission range for long-distance transmission. And a sound wireless bridge should be able to bridge a distance of at least one kilometer so that you can connect networks that are separated far away.

3) Security is of utmost importance in your network since the wireless network is more easily to be tempered than the wired one. Make sure the wireless network bridge you choose comes with advanced security features so unauthorized access can be effectively blocked.

4) Indoor wireless bridges are less expensive and are normally installed in well-conditioned settings like offices and shopping malls but outdoor wireless bridges are highly recommended for outdoor deployments in places like parking lots.

450Mbps Outdoor Wireless CPE

450Mbps Outdoor Wireless CPE is a useful tool to extend your current network range for improving signal strength and coverage. It offers a better network performance in long range applications to power network devices like IP cameras, VoIP phones and remote printers, without additional network cabling. The wireless bridge is equipped with a Gigabit PoE port and 1*10/100Mbps LAN port, so you can set up 2 devices at once. It comes with the next-generation WiFi standard of 802.11ac and runs flawlessly at 450Mbps at an extended range of 1km. Covered in the IP65-rated enclosure, this wireless CPE can perform well in any harsh, outdoor environment. It features a plug-and-play design so you can match the wavelength of each bridge easily by only pressing the button.


5GHz 802.11ac Outdoor Wireless Bridge

This wireless bridge is an excellent solution to extend WiFi network coverage. It’s designed to work with 5Ghz networks and comes with a superb network speed of 900Mbps and excellent coverage of up to 3km to help set up multiple IP cameras over long distances. Similarly, this device is equipped with a Gigabit PoE port and 1*10/100Mbps LAN port. It offers a clean and smooth connection Since it’s made for outdoor applications, this entire unit is weather-sealed, covered in a casing of IP65 ratings, ideal for applications in outdoor and harsh environments like parking lots, highways, and oil pipelines, or other combustible places. This wireless network bridge supports encryption modes like WEP, WPA, TKIP/AES and IEEE802.1x.) and has an invisible SSID to avoid any direct tempering on the device.

How to Set Up a Point-to-Point Wireless Network Bridge?


A wireless bridge offers a cost-effective way to extend your network range without running any wires. The wireless bridges often work in pairs and are often installed outdoors on the top of buildings and mounted on a metal pole to make sure the light of sight is not obstructed. To set up the wireless bridging, you will need the main router, two PoE adapters, a pair of wireless network bridges and some Ethernet cables.

1. Use a short patch cord to connect the LAN port of the PoE adapter to one of the network ports on the router, and take another Ethernet cable to connect the PoE port of the adapter to the Gigabit PoE/LAN port of the wireless bridge.

2. Plug another PoE adapter into the power outlet and connect it to another wireless bridge.

3. Set up the master AP and slave AP. Switch ‘master’ to ‘slave’ on the slave AP and press the reset button to connect these two access points.

4. Once both wireless bridges are linked to the network, connect the wired device directly to the slave AP with an Ethernet cable.

Note: If you don’t have PoE adapters, you can also use an external power supply (DC12V, 1A) to power the network bridges.

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Quick PoE Network System Setup

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is an advanced technology to simplify data networking in hard-to-reach places by simultaneously sending data and power over the same Ethernet cable to the powered device, without additional power cabling. PoE technology helps you build a more organized and systematic network by drawing power and data from a centralized point rather than a collection of randomly distributed power outlets and modems. The introduction of PoE greatly cuts down the cable volumes and simplifies network management, especially in outdoor deployments. And the easiest way to incorporate PoE into your network is to deploy a PoE switch to allow edge devices to work in places without available network connections and electrical infrastructures.

PoE switches, according to their management, usually fall into two categories: unmanaged PoE switches and managed PoE switches. In today’s blog, we will introduce “what is an unmanaged PoE switch and how to use it to set up a PoE network system within minutes”.

What is the Unmanaged PoE Switch?

If you need to simplify your network, deploying an unmanaged PoE switch will be your best choice. The unmanaged PoE switch is a plug-and-play network switch that requires no further configuration except some default settings like QoS service. It doesn’t have any manageable features and it doesn’t support such complicated network protocols as SNMP to prioritize the network performance and regulate the traffic in and out of each PoE port. But the unmanaged PoE switch is easier to use and maintain since it comes with a fixed configuration. Once connected, it’ll immediately start forwarding traffic to connected PDs. It’s often used for small networks like homes, startup businesses with limited data streams, SOHO, etc.



The Benefits of Using Unmanaged PoE Switches

• The unmanaged PoE switch is relatively cheaper, and ideal for SMBs with limited budgets.

• It works on a plug-and-play basis and comes with easy deployment and maintenance.

• It provides basic security features like lockable ports to prevent direct tempering.

• The unmanaged switch makes network expansion easier when used to add temporary workstations to a larger network.

FASTCABLING has launched a series of unmanaged PoE switches with different network capacities and port numbers.

Compatible with the IEEE802.3af/at standards, this 4-port PoE+ switch features a maximum power output of 30W on a per-port basis, with a total power supply of 65W to power various network devices like IP cameras, wireless access points, VoIP phones, etc. It’s built with 4 auto-sensing PoE ports (10/100Mbps) to detect if the connected device is PoE-compatible to ensure safe operation on the field. This PoE switch also has two uplink ports (10/100Mbps): one for network connection; another for data uploading. The LED indicators on the switch showcase the real-time performance of each PoE port to help you speed up problem diagnosis and troubleshooting if one device goes offline. It features 6kV surge protection and can work reliably under a vast temperature range from 0°C to 40°C (for indoor use only). But if you want to install more devices at the edge, this 8-Port PoE+ Switch with 2 uplink ports is just what you need to install 8 IP cameras at a time.

This PoE+ switch is equipped with 16*10/100Mbps PoE ports, 2*Gigabit uplink ports and 2*Gigabit TP/SFP Combo ports. It supports both PoE and PoE+ devices with a power budget of 200W to deliver 32 watts of power max. at each port. This PoE switch is hot-swappable, which makes it ultra user-friendly for families and small and medium-sized businesses. As an active PoE switch, similarly, it is equipped with auto-sensing PoE ports that automatically detect the compatibility of the connected devices to lower the chances of power outages, operation failures, etc., and prevent irreversible electrical damages caused to the PDs. The 16-port PoE+ switch supports 6KV lightning protection on all ports to prevent power surges caused by lightning strikes. The fan-less heat dissipation design reduces energy consumption, operating noise and dust ingress. The LED indicators are available to monitor the network performance of each RJ45 port. And we also have designed a 24-Port PoE+ Switch for larger network deployments.

How to Use the Unmanaged PoE Switch to Install IP Cameras Remotely?

To set up a PoE network system for IP cameras, you will need a router, an unmanaged PoE switch, an NVR and some Ethernet cables. If you need to install the cameras far away, say 200 meters, prepare some PoE extenders as well because PoE could only support a maximum transmission distance of 100 meters, and beyond this limit, the network and power will be shut down. Here’s how to use an unmanaged PoE switch with IP security cameras:

1. Plug the unmanaged PoE switch into a power outlet (100-240V AC).

2. Take an Ethernet cable, connect one end to one of the uplink ports, and connect the other end to one of the RJ45 ports on the router.

3. Take another Ethernet cable, connect one end to another uplink port on the switch, and connect the other end to the NVR for video storage.

4. Use a third Ethernet cable to connect the PoE switch and the pigtail of the IP camera. Then check the LED indicator that corresponds to the port you’ve connected the camera to. If the light is on, it means the camera is successfully connected.

*Note: If you want to install the IP camera in remote places, adding a PoE extender between the switch and edge device will be of great help to extend PoE up to 200 meters away from the control room. And it’s also highly recommended to install a pair of surge protectors on both sides to protect the devices from lightning strikes in outdoor applications.