Two POE cameras (most likely Dahua or Andy) off one ethernet cable - best method

saltwater

saltwater

Getting comfortable
Oct 6, 2019
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Melbourne, Australia
What are my options if I want to connect two POE cameras, most likely Dahua type, to one ethernet cable? At the camera location I do not have access to normal power. I have run two ethernet cables, but now I'm considering two cameras per ethernet cable.
 
In for the ride. I do know a coupler will work for a single line with Poe. A splitter will work for your situation...but...not sure about the transfer of bandwidth ( possible degradation), and same issue perhaps with Poe.
 
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ccssid said:
In for the ride. I do know a coupler will work for a single line with Poe.
Click to expand...
In this context, what do you mean by "coupler"?
Can you provide a link to an example?
 
 
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^You have to be careful with couplers like that (notwithstanding the concerns about if used outside and exposed to elements, etc.) as they do sell one's that are "splitters" that look like that, but you can only use one side or the other, not both at the same time.

The two that I mentioned above work very well with cameras and are not an issue splitting one run into two. You do need to have available POE though for either one.
 
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wittaj said:
^You have to be careful with couplers like that (notwithstanding the concerns about if used outside and exposed to elements, etc.) as they do sell one's that are "splitters" that look like that, but you can only use one side or the other, not both at the same time.

The two that I mentioned above work very well with cameras and are not an issue splitting one run into two. You do need to have available POE though for either one.
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I found myself wanting to relocate an indoor camera and being too lazy I tried this coupler to extend my Ethernet line to my Poe camera....it works!!!!. Every day , when I walk into my basement dungeon, I can see the coupler doing it's job. One day , maybe, I will change out to the proper length cable. And yes, not for outdoor usage
 
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Answering at the 30,000 foot level, there are two obvious options, with examples of both already posted:

1. A poe powered 2 (or more) port ethernet switch.
2. A splitter-combiner set that places a 2nd ethernet channel on the otherwise unused 4 wires of an existing ethernet link.

Option 1 is a bit simpler to hook up, saves a port on your POE switch, but requires that port to power 2 cameras and the poe powered switch. The single port must be capable of powering both cameras.

Option 2 works the same as if you has run 2 ethernet cables, with added connection complexity on both ends. In general, works only with POE switches, not injectors, because injectors tend to use all 4 pairs on the ethernet cable. Also not usable with POE++ which also uses all 4 pairs.

I've used both. They both work. Some people think that running 2 links on a single cable compromises data integrity. I've not seen any hints of that in my system.
 
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tigerwillow1 said:
I've used both. They both work. Some people think that running 2 links on a single cable compromises data integrity. I've not seen any hints of that in my system.
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Using that same ill-conceived logic that running two links on a single cable compromises data integrity...how do we explain 8 cameras going to an 8-port switch and then one cable (not 8 cables) going to the computer....Every system at some point has a lot of devices going thru one cable....as long as the rated capacity of all of the peripherals is higher than the demand of all of the devices, all is good...

Of course at some point there may be an issue, but these are designed to carry that data. The first one I linked you can even daisy chain it for more deployment. The 2nd one not at all. Both serve a purpose, but the flexibility of the first one is nice.
 
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wittaj said:
Using that same ill-conceived logic that running two links on a single cable compromises data integrity..
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I think you interpreted something other than what I meant to say. The alleged data integrity issue I mentioned is based on physical crosstalk between two independent 2-pair links routed on a single 4-pair cable. In has been brought up on other splitter-combiner discussions, so I figured I may as well mention it up front here.
 
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OK that makes sense. But yea, like you, I have never seen issues with these two devices.

But I am aware of some that are cheaper that either do not work as intended (can only use one of the dual ports at a time) or they have other issues.
 
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Speaking of cheaper ones, I've used a couple of these for a while now without any problems. They had a $5 off coupon before and easily returnable so were worth a try at $13.

eoere POE Extender 2 Port PoE Powered PoE-Sourcing Ethernet Switch Repeater 100 Meters(328 ft) Extender 1 in 2 Out, 100Mbps for Security POE Camera Over Cat5/Cat5e/Cat6/Cat6e, UTP Cables : Electronics

Buy eoere POE Extender 2 Port PoE Powered PoE-Sourcing Ethernet Switch Repeater 100 Meters(328 ft) Extender 1 in 2 Out, 100Mbps for Security POE Camera Over Cat5/Cat5e/Cat6/Cat6e, UTP Cables: Repeaters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com

Clearly not made for any unprotected outdoor use.
 
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Thanks everyone, all useful info and I'm now good to go with my project.

I've got two ethernet cables at my letterbox. I've been thinking more about purpose LPR, especially at night but didn't like the fact, at night, everything else, except the number plate is dark. I'd still like an overview, and thus is why I asked about two cameras off one ethernet cable.
 
wittaj said:
Both serve a purpose, but the flexibility of the first one is nice.
Click to expand...
And it's small and can fit in a weather-proofed junction box.
 
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saltwater said:
What are my options if I want to connect two POE cameras, most likely Dahua type, to one ethernet cable? At the camera location I do not have access to normal power. I have run two ethernet cables, but now I'm considering two cameras per ethernet cable.
Click to expand...
What is the total length of a single run? Would the cable for 2 runs and 4 RJ-45 connectors be cheaper than buying an adapter, buying a weather proof box to put it in, the weather proof cord grips? CAT5e cable isn't very expensive, IMHO.
 
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Smilingreen said:
What is the total length of a single run? Would the cable for 2 runs and 4 RJ-45 connectors be cheaper than buying an adapter, buying a weather proof box to put it in, the weather proof cord grips? CAT5e cable isn't very expensive, IMHO.
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Yes, cable is cheap, but would be too expensive to lay additional cables to be concealed in walls. The single run is about 30m. Yes, if I had my time over again during the house build I would have laid 4 cables. I did actually lay 3 cables but one is now earmarked for my water irrigation controller.
 
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