quackchung 0 Posted February 27, 2017 Hi I've just purchased 3x cctv cams, each including their own lead and PSU, plus 1X standalone 4ch DVR box. Rather than powering each cam with it's relative PSU, can I buy a 4 way dc power splitter, and use just one Cam's PSU to supply all 3 cams to save all the plugging points? https://www.amazon.co.uk/ieGeek-2-1mm-Splitter-Security-Cameras/dp/B00C677ZY4/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1488142611&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=4+way+cctv+power+splitter Cam PSU... 12V DC Power adapter Model: XED-BS120100CC Input: 100-240V~50/60Hz 0.3A Ouput: 12v - 1.0Amp - [Negative tip] Cam Power... Power current: DC 12v (+/-10%) 500mA Note: The standalone DVR also has a DC 12V PSU, [Positive tip] so I haven't put up the specs as I couldn't use this anyway to feed both box n cams, as the cams require a negative tip, whereas the box PSU has a positive tip. Thanks in advance Paul Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the toss 0 Posted February 27, 2017 Now there is a problem waiting to happen. It has always been a standard to have the tip positive and the sleeve negative. You would want to hope there are protection diodes in the power circuitry. Nevertheless you can do what you suggest but if the cameras have IR then a 1A supply probably wont be enough to do the job at night Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quackchung 0 Posted March 2, 2017 Now there is a problem waiting to happen. It has always been a standard to have the tip positive and the sleeve negative. You would want to hope there are protection diodes in the power circuitry. Nevertheless you can do what you suggest but if the cameras have IR then a 1A supply probably wont be enough to do the job at night Thanks for your kind reply, and yes they do have IR that will be required at night. I plan on having 3 (Maybe 4 eventually) cams running at once. As you know each Cam's PSU has an output of 1.0Amp, and each cam has an amp power rating of 500mA Looks like I need a DC 12V 4.0Amp power supply to cover the use of 4 cams Then. Query I've actually got one cam that states (+ tip) working on a (- tip) PSU! I know some, if not all? electrical devices can work with reversed polarity, a bit like a bulb element has no reason for polarity preference, but will this reverse polarity cause any damage to the circuitry in the cam? Although it's working perfectly for now! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ak357 0 Posted March 2, 2017 Query I've actually got one cam that states (+ tip) working on a (- tip) PSU! I know some, if not all? electrical devices can work with reversed polarity, a bit like a bulb element has no reason for polarity preference, but will this reverse polarity cause any damage to the circuitry in the cam? Although it's working perfectly for now! No way! if it's working for you that means your cams are dual voltage or you provide wrong info Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the toss 0 Posted March 2, 2017 It may be a case of semantics but most electronic devices will not run on reversed voltage. BUT they CAN be designed to accept a reverse voltage input. A simple full wave rectifier will correct any reverse voltage and offer up the correct polarity to the device. This is how dual voltage cameras work. This is a cheap and common form of protection in quality electronic devices but I would not expect it to be in cheap cameras where cost have been cut to the bone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quackchung 0 Posted March 8, 2017 Thanks guys for the replies. I borrowed a multi meter and yes the cam's PSUs had been incorrectly labelled (If indeed I had the meter set up correctly) Red probe in V input Black probe in COM input Selector on DC 12v Red probe inserted into the PSU's tip, black probe on sleeve reads: (12.3V) As above but reversed probes reads: (-12.3V) Proving positive tip, not as labelled negative tip. Is that correct thanks? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
