Power over Ethernet is a standard that allows you to power certain network or IP devices over that same data cable that is used to connect to your network. There are 3 primary implementations of POE that will be described individually in this article, but before we delve into those, there is some information that you need to know about your product to determine which implementation and hardware you’re going need to achieve the results you’re looking for.
The first question is the most important because it determines all of your remaining hardware requirements. Below are examples for each implementation type and how they apply to your particular POE setup.
For the first example, we’re assuming you have a switch that supplies POE and an IP camera that supports true POE. In this situation you would only need one network cable running directly between the switch and the camera. No additional network cables would be required because the camera, itself, is capable of being powered over the Ethernet and the switch would supply POE. (See image below)
In the second example, we assume you have an IP camera model that supports true POE, but you do not have a switch or router that provides POE. In this event you would need a POE injector in addition to a switch/router and your POE IP camera. You will connect them together as shown in the image below.
In the final example, you have a switch/router that does not provide POE and an IP camera that does not support true POE. In this case, you could use a POE injector/Splitter kit. To connect this configuration you would first connect your switch/router to the POE injector, then connect the POE injector to the POE splitter, and finally connect the POE splitter to the camera as shown in the image below.
Below you will see a close up of the POE splitter and its connection to the camera. The splitter has both power and Ethernet outputs to connect the network and power separately.