PoE Network Switches
A PoE switch does two jobs on a surveillance network: it moves camera traffic and it powers the cameras. Both have to be sized correctly or the system becomes unstable months after handover, usually on the coldest night of the year when heaters and IR draw peak power.
Start with port count. Count your cameras, then add ports for the recorder, any uplink, and future additions. Next, size the power budget: add up the worst-case draw of every powered device, not the idle draw, and leave headroom. A switch that advertises a large total wattage still limits per-port output by PoE class, so verify both numbers against your camera specs.
Uplinks matter as much as PoE. High-resolution and multi-sensor cameras push significant sustained bitrate, and a single gigabit uplink can bottleneck a large camera count before the switch itself does. Where the recorder sits on a different switch, plan the uplink for the aggregate camera bitrate rather than the port count.
Managed switches add VLAN segmentation, port-level PoE cycling and diagnostics, which pay for themselves on any site you will service remotely. Unmanaged switches remain a sensible choice for small isolated camera runs.
PoE Switches we stock
- 4 + 2 Port Gigabit PoE+ Switch (75W) — $39.99
- 16 + 2 Port Gigabit PoE+ Switch (200W) — $139.99
- 24 + 2 Port Gigabit PoE+ Switch (300W) — $189.99
- 48 + 2 Port Gigabit PoE+ Switch (800W) — $349.99
- 4 Port Gigabit PoE Passthrough Switch — $39.99
- PoE++ Splitter (120W) IP67 Outdoor 2.5G — $99.99
PoE Switch Buyer's Guide
Size ports, power budget, PoE standard and uplinks correctly so camera networks stay stable year-round.
PoE standards and per-port power
Every powered device must get enough power at its port — not just from the total budget.
| Standard | Name | Max at switch port | Typical devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 802.3af | PoE | 15.4W | Fixed domes, bullets without heaters, IP speakers |
| 802.3at | PoE+ | 30W | Varifocal cameras, IR-heavy cameras, intercoms |
| 802.3bt Type 3 | PoE++ | 60W | Multi-sensor, small PTZ, heated housings |
| 802.3bt Type 4 | PoE++ | 90–100W | Large PTZ with heaters, high-draw devices |
Calculate the power budget
Add the maximum (not typical) draw of every device, including heaters and IR. Leave roughly 20–30% headroom so the switch never runs at its limit on a cold night.
Ports and uplinks
Count cameras, then add ports for the recorder, uplink and future expansion. If the recorder sits on another switch, size the uplink for the combined camera bitrate — large camera counts can saturate a single gigabit uplink. SFP uplinks allow fiber runs beyond copper’s 100m limit.
Managed vs. unmanaged
Managed switches add VLANs to isolate cameras from business traffic, remote PoE port cycling to reboot a hung camera, and diagnostics. Unmanaged switches are fine for small, isolated runs.
Installer checklist
- Device count plus 20% spare ports
- Per-port PoE class matches each device
- Total budget with 20–30% headroom
- Uplink sized for aggregate camera bitrate
- Fiber / SFP needed for runs over 100m?
- Managed features (VLAN, port reboot) required?
Frequently asked questions
How much PoE budget do I need?
Add the maximum draw of every powered device, including heaters and IR, then add about 20–30% headroom.
Can I mix PoE and PoE+ devices on one switch?
Yes. PoE+ ports are backward compatible with 802.3af devices; just confirm each port can deliver what its device needs.
How fast do orders ship?
Standard delivery is UPS Ground, usually 5–7 business days. Rates are calculated at checkout. 2-day and overnight shipping are available by quote — contact our sales team.
What is the return policy?
Returns are free within 30 days when the item is unused and in its original manufacturer packaging. See our Shipping & Returns page for full details.