PoE Switches: The Simple Way to Install CCTV and Access Points

One of the hidden costs of installing new CCTV cameras or access points is running electrical cable to every single point, especially when the location is up in the ceiling, outdoors, or far from a power outlet. A PoE switch removes that problem entirely.

What is PoE (Power over Ethernet)?

PoE is a technology that sends both electrical power and data over the same network cable. In practice, that means one Ethernet cable running from your switch to an access point or IP camera is all you need. No separate power cable at all. Plug the device into a PoE-capable switch and it gets power and a network connection at the same time.

Why PoE saves you money on installation

• No need for a separate electrician to run power cable to every AP or camera location
• Ceiling and outdoor installs get much easier, just one network cable run
• You're not limited to spots near an existing power outlet
• Centralized power management, you can reboot a device from the switch without physically unplugging anything

PoE vs PoE+ vs PoE++: what's the difference?

The difference comes down to how much power each port can deliver:

• PoE (802.3af): up to 15.4W per port, fine for standard access points and small IP cameras
• PoE+ (802.3at): up to 30W per port, enough for Wi-Fi 6 access points and PTZ cameras
• PoE++ (802.3bt): up to 60 to 90W per port, needed for high-end Wi-Fi 7 access points or other power-hungry devices

The ideal combo: PoE switch plus access points plus CCTV

If you're planning to install both access points and IP CCTV, one PoE switch can power the whole setup. EnGenius offers PoE switches from small offices up to large deployments: the ECS1008P (8-port Gigabit PoE+, a good fit for a small shop or office) and the ECS1112FP (10-port with an added SFP port for a fiber uplink). If you're deploying AI cameras like the ECC500 (face recognition, AI NPU) or the ECC120, make sure your switch supports PoE+, since AI-enabled cameras generally draw more power than a basic analog camera.