Power over Ethernet (PoE) over coax started as an extension to PoE over UTP cables, but it has grown into much more. Today Ethernet data streams and power can be passed over UTP cables and transported over coax. This opens up the opportunity to offer IP over existing infrastructure — bringing significant time and material savings for integrators — and giving end users the realistic possibility of IP in situations where it might not otherwise be on the table. SDM looks at what developments are being made with the technology and what details integrators should consider to make it a successful installation solution.
“For decades, most analog-based CCTV cameras have been connected to recording and control equipment via common coaxial cable. In fact about 80 percent of analog cameras were installed with coax and most of those cable runs are less than 750 feet. Today, a lot of surveillance systems are going in with IP cameras connected via UTP and fiber to network recording and control equipment. That means if you want to retrofit or migrate to IP from analog CCTV, for starters, you have to re-cable using UTP —unless you tap into PoE and Ethernet over coax (EoC),” says Guy Apple, vice president, marketing and sales, Network Video Technologies (NVT), Menlo Park, Calif. “The elegance of the solution is its simplicity of design and application. The technology enables more installers to approach an IP migration project with a new set of financial and installation options.”