PoE Switch vs Power Inserter

[TVEngineer77 0]

Quick question - is there any reason a Cat5e power inserter would be less desirable over a PoE ready switch?

 

Would it be safer to go that way rather than rely completely on the switch itself (and thus if it fails, the entire system is dead)?

 

I do realize this is contingent upon the number of cameras in the system, and as it sits now I will have no more than 4.

 

Thoughts?

[Soundy 1]

Cost and number of cameras would be the main concern, to me. If you're only talking one or two cameras, injectors would probably be more cost-effective than a whole new switch. Beyond that, though, individual injectors can become a logistical nightmare, as each will probably also have its own wall-wart power supply - you end up with a mess of power bars, power adapters, and injector boxes.

 

If you have structured wiring in place (camera feeds into a patch panel), a switch is definitely cleaner and easier to integrate.

[hardwired 0]

It usually depends on the application. In installs in schools, etc., where there are existing (non-PoE) switches in many locations, and I am adding only a few cameras per switch, I use injectors (Phihong makes decent ones)

 

In a ground-up install, I try to use managed, or at least "smart" switches with PoE, so I can implement VLAN's, and if needed, power cycle cams remotely (not that cams ever lock up, right?!? )

 

Another option is if you have a good managed non-PoE switch already in place, and want to add more than a few cams, is a PoE multiport midspan injector (Phihong, or PowerDsine) to add PoE capability.

 

Phihong is announcing upcoming new models of PoE up to 95 watts per port, Gigabit compatible....you could run a lot of stuff on that!

[thewireguys 3]

also keep in mind with the POE switch you have one thing to plug in. If you go with injectors for 4 cameras now you have 5 things to find a place to plug in....... can be difficult if your putting stuff in outdoor boxes