Had someone ask me if they could power camera without POE

[Revo2Maxx]

There's a solution for situations where Cat5E cables are already in place but there's no Power over Ethernet (PoE) NVR or switch to power a camera, or if PoE cameras aren't available. I've personally implemented this method, and it works effectively. However, before proceeding, certain considerations must be taken into account.

Cable Size and Type: The size and type of the Cat5E cable are crucial factors. Only four wires out of the eight in the cable will be utilized to carry the necessary current for the camera. Using a cable with smaller wires could potentially damage the wire or the hardware it's connected to. Typically, Cat5E cables feature 24AWG wire. If the cable uses 26AWG wire, it's advisable to either lower the current requirements or shorten the cable length. Alternatively, opting for true copper cables with 24AWG wire guarantees the best results.

Wiring Configuration: The cable ends should be wired as follows on both ends: orange white, orange, blue white, empty, empty blue, empty empty. Then, the last four wires (green and brown pairs) are grouped. The green pair is designated for Ground, while the brown pair is used for Positive. This wiring convention aligns with my preference, as green symbolizes ground, and brown, resembling red, serves as the positive connection.

Type: It's imperative to avoid using CCA (Copper-Clad Aluminum) cables. Ensuring that the cables used are true copper is essential for optimal performance and reliability.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can successfully utilize Cat5E cables to power your cameras without a PoE NVR or switch, or even without PoE-compatible cameras. This method offers a practical and efficient solution for powering cameras in scenarios where traditional PoE setups are unavailable.

So would need the RJ45 ends and male/female power ends.

[Volkemon]

Browsing the forum during lunch... THIS IS A GREAT IDEA!!


Took a few reads, but I think I understand. Using this picture as a reference:

T568B-wire-pairs-rj45-pinout.jpg (38.91 KiB) Viewed 5012 times

One basically only populates the orange and blue pairs in the connector, keeping the others aside for power duties.

IE:
Pin1 - Orange/white
Pin2 - Orange
Pin3 - EMPTY
Pin4 - Blue
Pin5 - Blue/White
Pin6 -EMPTY
Pin7 - EMPTY
Pin8 -EMPTY

Then connect Green and Green/White together, and use for negative lead.
Then Connect Brown, and Brown/White together, use for positive lead.

(Or the opposite, should one be used old Volkswagens and the brown ground wires )

BUT would AC voltage be OK? Low, 16-24V from a doorbell transformer.
****************************************************************************************
For those who follow, and are running new wires...

KIMG1454.JPG (3.64 MiB) Viewed 5012 times

I was fortunate to be wiring an office complex some years back, and the builder spec'd 6 Pair cat5E cable. I thought it was pretty neat stuff, so I ordered a couple reels for myself. Pretty much every new run has it now, and it has made several 'Impossible' things happen.

BUT... your method of using existing 4 pair cat5..... That's one for the 'toolbox'.

THANK YOU!!!!

[Volkemon]

Of course, that 'One More Thought'.....

Using your method, and my 6 pair wire....


Can I set it up with TWO RJ45 ends? and still have two pair for power?

IE:

Orange and blue pairs in one RJ45.

Brown and Green pairs (populating pins 1,2,4 and 5) on another.

and use my funky Red/DkBlue and Grey/White pairs for power?


Realizing the power would likely be limited, SHOULD be able to coax ~1A @ 12V with under 4% loss over the max 100M run. If I did my math right... Might be really good for adding some network sensors by an existing camera, or 2 low demand cameras. NO PTZ, spotlights, etc.

Looks good on paper... Opinion?? Not sure if there are barriers to this I am unaware of.

Thanks again.

[Revo2Maxx]

Normally 1, 2, 3 and 6 is what you need for POE.. Then setting up 2 Eithernet RJ45 ends with same pin out on both ends you can power 2 POE cameras from 1 cable that I have shown in a video in the past. https://youtu.be/URS1q_w-nD0

[Volkemon]

GOTCHA!
Watched the video, at least 3:01 for now. Subscribed. I came to post about my new NVR, and came here first. Will complete it later on.

My diagram up there is incorrect.

I was just removing the colors, and did not follow the color,color,empty,empty...correctly in your initial post.

1,2,3 and 6. I have 1,2,4 and 5 populated. Looks pretty though.

And too late to edit. Any way you can reset that so I can correct it?

Thats a really new trick to me. Thanks again. I was using 2 wires on two cams to do the static cam/ptz cam duo you describe in the video. I have some older Axis 221's , like 30 of them. I was going to use them for the spotters, and they are POE.


And again,

THANK YOU!!!

[Revo2Maxx]

Just note Not all cameras will work with the 1,2,3 and 6 method. Some cameras wanted to work outside the norm and using the 4,5 and 7,8 to power the camera with the others just for data.. Because they wanted to be special lol.. Not sure if Axis is one of them or not. I have not used mine in an area where I had 2 cameras going..

[Volkemon]

Just note Not all cameras will work with the 1,2,3 and 6 method. Some cameras wanted to work outside the norm and using the 4,5 and 7,8 to power the camera with the others just for data.. Because they wanted to be special lol.. Not sure if Axis is one of them or not. I have not used mine in an area where I had 2 cameras going..

Once again....I am like .... WHAT? Isn't there a standard requirement?!?

There is.

""In 1999, both the IEEE and the Ethernet Alliance started working to standardize PoE to ensure interoperability across a broader range of connected powered devices and power sourcing equipment. The first of these standards, IEEE 802.3af, was ratified in 2003 and specified that the power must be able to be carried by either spare pairs (pins 4 and 5 or pins 7 and 8) or data pairs (pins 1 and 2 or pins 3 and 6).""

(source:https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions ... .html#~faq)

Thats government! Make a ""standard"" that says "ok...this or that."

Inclusive. Surprised there are only two standards.

Hope they went and had a good lunch after. Y2K made for some unusual compromises.