There was a time when power and transmission were delivered by distinct solutions, but power over Ethernet (PoE) solutions have changed that dynamic considerably by delivering power and video surveillance signals over a single cable. Today, most manufacturers’ offerings include PoE-powered solutions for the simple reason that it’s far easier to install and for the most part eliminates the need for local power where edge devices are installed.
“Installing power for a modern networked video surveillance system is easier than ever,” says Ronnie Pennington, sales engineer, Altronix, Brooklyn, N.Y. “In the past, electricians had to provide power locally at every camera or network appliance — an expensive and time-consuming process. Today, new power options are available for Ethernet cable, coaxial cable, and fiber composite cabling. Because each of these can now carry both power and data simultaneously, a single cable run to each device is all that is needed, saving time and installation costs.”