PoE+, PoE++, and High Power PoE: Choosing the Right Switch for a Surveillance Camera Network
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By Versa
Understanding the Benefits of Each Power Level
Ensuring a consistent flow of power and connectivity to IP cameras can be a challenge. When deploying a surveillance camera network, choosing the right PoE switch will not only supply sufficient power and data to components but will also streamline setup and enhance network performance. This guide will explain the differences between PoE+, PoE++, and High Power PoE switches to help you make the right choice for your security camera system.
What is Power over Ethernet (PoE)?
PoE is a technology that makes power and data transmission via a single Ethernet cable possible. It functions by sending both electrical power and data signals over the twisted wire pairs contained in standard Cat 5e (or better) Ethernet cables.
The advantages of PoE for surveillance networks include:
- Flexibility in camera placement.
- Simplified installation.
- Reduced installation costs.
- Improved scalability.
- Enhanced reliability.
- Centralized power management.
In addition to the original PoE standard, PoE technologies have evolved to include PoE+ (type 2) and PoE++ (types 3 and 4) standards. Having the right PoE switch can support future surveillance upgrades, such as improved camera technology.
How are PoE+, PoE++, and High Power PoE different?
Type 1 PoE is the original PoE standard. Providing up to 15.4 watts of power, it corresponds to the IEEE802.3af standard and uses two of the four twisted wire pairs in an Ethernet cable. PoE is suitable for powering basic IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points.
Newer versions of PoE offer higher power budgets to supply increasingly sophisticated devices over Cat5e or better Ethernet cables.
Type 2: PoE+
Also utilizing two twisted wire pairs, Type 2 PoE+ conforms to the IEEE 802.3at standard and delivers up to 30 watts of power. It can power more demanding devices such as video IP phones, pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) IP cameras, and more advanced wireless access points.
Type 3: PoE++
Type 3 PoE++ is also known as Universal PoE (UPoE). Meeting the requirements for IEEE 802.3bt, PoE++ takes advantage of all four twisted wire pairs in an Ethernet cable and delivers up to 60 watts of power per port.
Switches that are type 3 PoE++ are ideal for powering:
- Video conferencing equipment.
- PTZ cameras with advanced features.
- LED lighting systems.
- Multi-radio wireless access points.
- Smart building management devices.
Type 3 PoE++ provides the necessary power and flexibility to support a robust and scalable surveillance system indoors or outdoors.
Type 4: PoE++
Also known as High Power PoE and 4PPoE, Type 4 PoE++ conforms to the IEEE 802.3bt standard. Offering the highest power delivery defined by IEEE standards, it delivers up to 100 watts of power over all four twisted pairs of wires.
A high-power PoE switch supports devices that require more power to operate, such as:
- Laptops.
- Flat-screen TVs.
- Advanced surveillance networks.
- Building automation systems.
- High-power LED lighting systems.
- Wireless access points with multiple antennas.
- IPTV decoders.
- Thin client computers.
- Facility monitoring controls.
- Point-of-sale(POS) kiosks.
- Industrial gateways and controllers.
Type 4 PoE++ can support larger screens and complex digital signage applications. It may also benefit devices that extend the reach of an Ethernet network.
Selecting the Right Switch for Your Surveillance Camera Network
Choosing the right PoE type for your surveillance application depends on the specific power requirements of your network components and system capabilities. While PoE+ may be sufficient to operate an IP surveillance system, PoE++ and high-power PoE can help future-proof your network and ensure you’re ready to implement more feature-rich camera technology in the future.
To make an informed decision:
- Determine your overall power needs by making a list of connected devices and assessing their power requirements. Keep in mind that power consumption varies by device.
- Confirm device compatibility with PoE, PoE+, or PoE++. Some components may only support certain PoE standards.
- Assess network switch capability. Not all switches can power all PoE devices. Make sure the switch you choose can deliver the required amount of power to all devices you plan to connect.
- Evaluate the cable length between the switch and each powered device. Longer Ethernet cables can experience voltage drop and power loss. To compensate, some higher-powered devices may require higher voltage levels.
- Consider the budget. High-power PoE equipment may be more expensive than PoE or PoE+ alternatives. Balance budget constraints and power needs with the desire for future growth.
- Consider future upgrades. If you expect to integrate higher-powered PoE devices down the line, it might make sense to invest in a higher PoE standard switch now.
- Get professional advice. IT professionals, network engineers, and vendors can provide valuable insights based on your specific needs. If you are unsure about which PoE standard to go with, ask for help.
The D60-044-91 Managed L2 Industrial PoE Switch from Versa Technology is a high-power PoE switch capable of supporting the most advanced surveillance camera systems.
The D60-044-91 Managed L2 Industrial High-Power PoE Switch
Providing up to 90 watts of power, the D60-044-91 managed 802.3bt PoE switch from Versa features four 10/100/1000BASE-T ports plus two Gigabit copper ports and two SFP fiber slots. It has a power budget of 360 watts and an operating temperature of -40° to 75°C. Designed with 6KV Ethernet port surge protection and industrial-grade protection, this switch is built specifically to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Basic functions of the switch include Layer 2 plus routing, QoS, security, spanning tree protocol, cable length measurement, and SNMP v1/v2/v3.
Advanced features include:
- Auto Discovery: Automatically discover and classify ONVIF devices such as network cameras and video servers.
- E-Map: Topology view, floor view, and Google view locate IP device locations for easy management.
- Device Management: Localized IP camera monitoring, network configuration, and device control.
- Cable Diagnostics: View real-time connection status between ports and powered devices.
The D60-044-91 enables outdoor connections of surveillance PoE network devices, including IP cameras, wireless access points, and other outdoor industrial applications. Contact Versa Technology for more information.