As innovations such as facial recognition, wide dynamic range, and multi-megapixel images continue to be developed by our industry’s IP camera manufacturers, the issue of the maximum length of UTP Cat5e/6 that can be installed to meet the EIA/TIA standard of 100 meters (328 feet) remains unchanged. This standard originated in the late 1980s and has remained constant for copper conductor Category cables. So while the cable manufacturers have dramatically improved their UTP cables’ performance, the distance standard has remained the same.

To address the connectivity of IP and PoE devices beyond 100 meters, various manufacturers have developed “booster boxes” that can regenerate the Ethernet data packets and also pass PoE power over another length of cable, usually advertised as an additional 100 meters. While such technologies are proven and reliable, they do add a significant cost as the boosters need to be installed and protected within some kind of enclosure, and additional RJ-45 plugs must be terminated.