Using a Powerful POE Extender to Expand Your CCTV Distance
Power over Ethernet is a technology that passes electric power over a twisted-pair UTP cable to powered devices, such as Wi-Fi access points, POE IP cameras, and other network devices, in addition to the data that’s usually carried through the network cable.
If you want to connect network cameras to your security camera system, any cable that runs within distance limitations of UTP cables can safely power your bullet cameras and transfer data without any signal loss. However, as with all UTP cables, there are data packet drops if the cable’s length exceeds 328 feet. To avoid this issue, you need to add a POE extender to your network.
What Is a POE Extender for CCTV?
Power over Ethernet technology (POE) is based on the rules and standards of Ethernet technology, and is subject to the same limitations. This includes the maximum UTP cable length limitation of 328 feet or 100 meters.
This poses a significant issue for networking and CCTV devices that are further away. A fiber optic cable can be used for connecting such devices. In combination with fiber optic transceivers and media converters, fiber optics can help you establish long-range connections of up to 10 miles or 16 kilometers. However, fiber optic cables have their downsides.
Besides exorbitant prices, fiber Ethernet can’t be used for POE protocols; the only way to connect POE devices to a network that’s 328 feet away is to use a POE repeater or POE extender.
PoE Extenders or POE repeaters can help you extend the connection distance between the POE switch (PSE) and the POE device (PD). These extenders are installed between the PSE and PD, with each side of the extender supporting connection distances of 328 feet (100 meters).
A single PoE Extender helps double the distance connection of your POE network. It’s also worth noting that some POE extenders allow you to daisy-chain several units and extend the total connection distance past 500 meters, which is exceptional for video surveillance of a large property.
How Do POE Extenders Work?
By employing the POE technology, you can extend the range of your cable and still deliver the POE power needed to operate your end devices, such as cameras. A POE repeater receives both power and data from the POE Switch. The POE repeater then uses a fraction of that power to operate while passing the remaining power to the next POE devices it’s connected to.
Gigabit POE extenders usually consume up to 4 to 5 watts of power. If they’re connected to an IEEE 802.3af POE Switch that delivers 25 watts, you’ll have 20 to 21 watts of power available for the next POE device. Cascading POE extenders means losing 4 to 5 watts with each added extender, so keep the maximum power consumption of your end device in mind.
Additional Considerations
- High-power POE+ extenders usually output 30 watts per POE, but Ultra POE Extenders, POE++, and POH can deliver up to 60 or 90 watts, respectively. Higher input wattage means you can extend the signal further by cascading more POE repeaters.
- Not all POE repeaters can be daisy-chained. POE extenders are passive POE devices themselves, and the amount of power they draw varies by device and brand. Pay special attention to the technical specifications of the POE repeater.
- You can plug a non-POE device into a POE port. POE switches will only send power if requested by the end device or another POE Ethernet extender.
- You can pair POE devices with non-POE network switches. However, you’ll need to add a power source that would add power to the data connection, such as a POE injector (MIDSPAN). These devices are placed between the non-POE switches and a POE device.
Advantages of Using POE for Your CCTV Security Cameras
POE technology has several advantages when it comes to network range extension. Data and power delivery over the standard, non-expensive Ethernet twisted-pair cable eliminates the need for any kind of AC/DC adapters needed to power PD devices.
This severely reduces the costs of adding or installing new equipment, since you won’t need an electrician to install new power outlets to power your devices. Additionally, UTP cables are fairly inexpensive and easy to install.
POE technology also has fewer failure points, which is exceptionally important for security CCTV systems. You can connect your POE switch to an uninterruptible power supply, and your devices will remain powered, even in the event of a blackout.
What to Know When Extending Your CCTV Cable Distance
The length of your cable run largely depends on the type of cables you’re using for data and power transfer in your CCTV system. This implies that other types of cables are used, besides the standard Ethernet cable.
RG59 Coax Cable
The RG59 coaxial cable is the most popular cable used in analog CCTV camera systems. It has a maximum distance of 100 feet, or 30 meters, which is reasonable for most home uses. However, if you’d like to extend that range, you can add an HD video amp and extend the range up to 2,600 feet or 729 meters. Adding several video amps can extend that range over 5,000 feet, or 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles).
UTP Cable
UTP cables, such as a Cat5e cable, have a greater maximum length of 328 feet (100m) compared to RG59 Coax when used without any type of signal amplification or extension. However, adding a POE extender extends its maximum length to 200m, adding up to 100m, or 328ft, with each subsequently daisy-chained POE extender.
If your end device uses 5 watts of power, you can add up to four POE extenders, increasing the cable length up to 500m, or 1,640ft. You can extend these further by converting your signal to analog and sending it over RG59 Coax cable to the video recorder unit.
HD CCTV
HD-TVI cameras use RG59 coax cables by default, though their higher native resolution impacts the maximum cable length you can use. By adding an HD amp, you can increase the maximum distance of the RG59 to 1,640ft, or up to 2,000ft if you use an HD-TVI video amp instead. Multiple amps can extend their reach up to 4,000 feet, or 1220 meters.
Key Benefits
POE technology is a fantastic way to power and transfer data from your bullet and PTZ cameras. It can achieve lengths of up to 1312 feet or 100 meters, provided that the camera consumes 10 watts of power.
POE extenders are cheaper and more straightforward to operate and maintain than fiber optics. They also have a better price and reliability ratio than any other power or data management type in CCTV systems.
Speak to our Experts
Businesses operating in the security field cannot leave anything to chance. You need to be there for your clients whenever they need you. This is why it is important to get an expert view before you begin your Ethernet setup project.
Here at Enable-IT, we offer industry-leading support and guidance to our customers. Reach out and find more about the solutions we offer and how to utilize them to their full potential.
Final Thoughts
Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology has revolutionized the surveillance industry, providing a streamlined approach to power and data transmission. With the introduction of powerful PoE extenders, the reach and flexibility of surveillance systems have expanded significantly. These devices serve as crucial bridges, allowing the extension of PoE-enabled devices beyond traditional limitations.
By leveraging internet and Ethernet technologies, PoE extenders enhance surveillance capabilities by enabling the deployment of cameras in remote locations without the need for additional power infrastructure. This not only reduces installation costs but also simplifies maintenance and troubleshooting processes. The extended reach of PoE extenders makes it possible to cover large outdoor areas or expansive buildings, providing comprehensive surveillance coverage.
Moreover, PoE extenders seamlessly integrate with existing network infrastructures, ensuring compatibility and ease of use. They offer scalability, allowing surveillance systems to expand and adapt to evolving needs without major infrastructure modifications. Additionally, some advanced PoE extenders come with remote power cycling capabilities, enabling network administrators to reset devices without physical access, saving time and effort.
As we continue to rely on surveillance systems for security and monitoring purposes, the advancements in PoE extenders contribute significantly to their efficiency and effectiveness. The combination of power and data transmission over a single Ethernet cable simplifies installations, reduces costs, and enhances the overall performance of surveillance systems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the new powerful PoE extenders have transformed the way surveillance cameras are deployed, making it easier to extend their reach and ensuring reliable power distribution. With the seamless integration of internet and Ethernet technologies, these devices offer a cost-effective, flexible, and scalable solution for all types of surveillance needs. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect further advancements in PoE extenders, providing even greater capabilities for surveillance systems in the future.
Find the Solutions You Need on Our Product Pages
POE technology is a fantastic way to power and transfer data from your bullet and PTZ cameras. It can achieve lengths of up to 1312 feet or 100 meters, provided that the camera consumes 10 watts of power.
POE extenders are cheaper and more straightforward to operate and maintain than fiber optics. They also have a better price and reliability ratio than any other power or data management type in CCTV systems. Find all of your Ethernet solutions in our shop!
