PoE, Power over Ethernet, sends electrical power and data down a single Ethernet cable, so a PoE security camera needs only one Cat6 run from a switch or NVR and no separate power adaptor at the mount. That is why it has become the default way to wire fixed cameras: one cable, one job, no plug socket needed behind the camera. For a home or small business, it turns camera placement into a cabling exercise rather than an electrical one.

Quick Answer

PoE (Power over Ethernet) delivers both power and data over one Ethernet cable, so a PoE camera connects with a single Cat6 run to a PoE switch or NVR and needs no separate power supply at the camera. Standard 802.3af PoE supplies up to 15.4W per port, 802.3at (PoE+) up to 30W, and 802.3bt up to about 90W for the most demanding cameras. Most fixed security cameras run happily on basic 802.3af.

How PoE Powers a Camera

A normal IP camera needs two things at its mounting point: a network connection and electricity. Traditionally that meant running a data cable and finding a power socket nearby, which is awkward on a ceiling, an eave, or a perimeter wall. PoE solves it by carrying low-voltage DC power along the same twisted-pair cable that carries the video and network data.

The power source is a PoE switch or a PoE-capable NVR. You run one Cat6 cable from a port on that device to the camera, and the camera draws both its data link and its power from that single run. No adaptor, no socket, no second cable.

Before any power flows, the switch and camera perform a short negotiation handshake. The port only energises after the camera identifies itself as a valid powered device, which means plugging a normal laptop or printer into a PoE port does it no harm; the port simply stays unpowered for non-PoE gear.

The Power Standards You Will See

PoE comes in tiers, and the camera's appetite decides which you need. The original 802.3af standard delivers up to 15.4W at the port and covers the bulk of fixed indoor and outdoor cameras. 802.3at, branded PoE+, raises that to 30W and suits power-hungry kit like pan-tilt-zoom cameras or units with heaters and built-in lighting. The newer 802.3bt standard, sometimes called Hi-PoE, pushes up to roughly 90W for the most demanding hardware.

For most home security cameras, 802.3af is plenty. Step up to PoE+ only when a camera's spec sheet calls for it, typically motorised PTZ models or cameras designed for harsh outdoor conditions. Smart-home cameras and the switches to feed them sit in the smart home and appliances range at Evetech, where the port wattage is listed alongside each device.

A Note on Cabling

Cable quality matters on longer runs. For short indoor runs at af or at wattage, ordinary cabling copes, but for runs stretching toward and beyond fifty metres, or for higher-wattage bt power, Cat6 is the safer choice. Its thicker conductors lose less power to resistance, so the camera at the far end still receives stable wattage. Spare Cat6 patch leads and runs are easy to pick up alongside the accessories best sellers at Evetech.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special switch for PoE cameras?

Yes, you need a PoE switch or a PoE-capable NVR to supply power down the cable. A standard non-PoE switch only carries data, so the camera would still need its own power adaptor.

How much power does a typical security camera need?

Most fixed cameras run within the 15.4W that basic 802.3af provides. PTZ cameras, or cameras with heaters and strong built-in lighting, may need PoE+ at 30W, and only the most demanding kit reaches into 802.3bt territory.

Will plugging a non-PoE device into a PoE port damage it?

No. The switch negotiates with the connected device first and only powers the port if it detects a valid PoE device. A laptop or printer plugged in simply runs as a normal data connection.

What cable should I use for PoE cameras?

Cat6 is the sensible default, especially on longer runs or for higher-wattage PoE. Its conductors lose less power to resistance, keeping the wattage stable at the camera end.

Planning a camera setup with one cable per camera? Browse PoE-ready cameras and the gear to power them in the smart home and appliances range at Evetech and wire your security cleanly.