Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology provides data connectivity and DC power to AI cameras and smart edge devices via a single cable, modernizing security facilities. However, a critical power gap is emerging that threatens system reliability and performance.
Traditional PoE standards, such as IEEE 802.3af and IEEE 802.3at, met the power requirements of earlier IP cameras of 8-30 W. However, advanced PTZ cameras with AI capabilities require much more power, up to 50 W or more.
The gap between the traditional PoE infrastructure and the growing demand for fully functional security cameras has led to underpower issues. At first, power mismatch may be a minor inconvenience, but it may fundamentally hinder reliable operation and function of the system. The actual power consumption of a device is never a static figure, but a function of its current activity.
The primary solution to this mismatch is a hardware upgrade, which upgrades the network infrastructure to a higher power standard that meets the dynamic requirements of the monitoring technology. To address power gaps and build highly reliable monitoring networks, engineers can employ a variety of hardware-based solutions, including upgrading network cabinets, deploying directional PoE++power supplies, or optimizing cabling solutions.
Engineering Solutions for Old PoE Infrastructure
Use PoE++power supply (Figure 1)
For example, if you plug the desired PoE++AI camera into the PoE/PoE+port, it may not power up at all or start up in a degraded mode. Some smart cameras negotiate power and enter Restricted mode if full power is not provided, such as disabling infrared illuminators, heaters, or edge treatments to maintain power below 30 W.
Figure 1: Phihong USA's POE60U-1BTE-R single-port multi-gigabit Ethernet powered IEEE802.3btpower supply, capable of providing 60 W of power (photo source: Phihong USA)
In many upgrades, the simplest way to address the undersupply port is to add a PoE++Powerer (mid-span) to provide the necessary 802.3power between the switch and the device. For small deployments, this may be a direct solution because the 802.3midspan provides up to 60 W or more per port, making it a viable option to add a high-power camera to a network where the switch only supports 802.3af/at.
Planned power budget
Integrators face total PoE budget constraints on switches. For example, all ports of a traditional PoE switch share a 150 W power budget, providing sufficient power when each connected camera consumes 5-10 W of power. However, if an AI camera consumes 25-50 watts, just a few AI cameras can easily drain the power designed for older equipment. If not scheduled, adding a high power consuming camera may exceed the power limit, causing some ports to close.
Engineers managing these budgets require PoE enabled network management to prioritize critical ports, implement load shedding, and allocate budget margins to prevent all ports from reaching maximum capacity at the same time.g.
Upgrade Cable Setup
The use of existing wiring arrangements can also expose weaknesses. The standard Cat5e/Cat6 cable (Figure 2) used in most CCTV installations is technically capable of transmitting PoE++power, but under high load conditions voltage drops and heating becomes more pronounced. A long cable that delivers high power to the camera loses several watts due to heat and is affected by the resistance.