To improve the performance of IP cameras and make a good choice of PoE switch, there are a few factors to consider. The most important aspects to keep in mind are the following: the PoE standard, the power consumption of the PoE IP camera, the high power supply of the PoE switch, the number of ports on the PoE switch, and the cable length.
What is a PoE Switch?
A PoE switch is a multi-port device that provides network connection and power, delivering data connection and energy to IP cameras through a network cable. Functioning similarly to a PoE injector, the PoE switch can be used to power multiple IP cameras. The reason it can do this is that it has multiple connection ports.
Power Consumption of PoE IP Cameras and PoE Switch
The PoE switch carries the network connection and, at the same time, supplies power to the PoE IP cameras. Power consumption varies depending on camera models; for example, PTZ IP camera models can reach up to 20 watts, while other models consume only 3 watts.
Ethernet standards allow the supply of up to 15 watts of DC power per port. The PoE+ standard, on the other hand, provides 30 watts of power per port, and in practice can deliver 25 watts to devices. Therefore, when choosing a PoE switch, you should check the power consumption values of the IP cameras.
Number of Ports on the PoE Switch
The number of ports on the PoE switch can be extended up to 48, depending on your needs. The number of ports depends on the power consumption requirements of the IP cameras as well as your needs.
For example, a PoE switch with a 370-watt power supply and 24 ports can power 12 cameras, providing 30W per port. If it provides 15.4W per port, it can power 24 IP cameras.
Maximum Power of the PoE Switch
Another important aspect to consider when choosing a PoE switch is the maximum amount of power it can provide. If the power requirement of the cameras exceeds the power limit of the switch, it will not be able to supply enough power. In such cases, the performance of the IP cameras will decrease.
Additionally, when choosing a PoE switch for IP cameras, you should consider the type of cameras. For example, for PTZ cameras, the chosen PoE switch must have high power.
