question on security cam: Running 12v on Cat 5?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tommi Bauer
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T

Tommi Bauer

I have a security camerea that I want to install in my house, and I am
thinking using Cat 5 cable (or maybe cat3). Is it dangerous to put 12v
through the Cat 5 cable? anyone done this before? This is what I am
thinking:

pair1: 12v DC
pair2: audio
pair3: video
pair4: not use

Any comments?
 
We use a wirless access point in work that uses Power Over Ethernet. I
don't know the specs on it, but I think it could power your camera ok using
cat5.
 
How much current does the camera need from the 12 volt line.
What are the distances involved?
The Audio will probably work, but the video probably not
unless the run is very short.
 
I have a security camerea that I want to install in my house, and I am
thinking using Cat 5 cable (or maybe cat3). Is it dangerous to put 12v
through the Cat 5 cable? anyone done this before? This is what I am
thinking:

pair1: 12v DC
pair2: audio
pair3: video
pair4: not use

Any comments?
Click to expand...

I operate low power cams over cat3 phone wire. Below is a test
setup over about 60 ft. of cat3 wire.

http://www.geocities.com/zoomkat/486X66.htm
 
I have a security camerea that I want to install in my house, and I am
thinking using Cat 5 cable (or maybe cat3). Is it dangerous to put 12v
through the Cat 5 cable? anyone done this before? This is what I am
thinking:

pair1: 12v DC
pair2: audio
pair3: video
pair4: not use

Any comments?
Click to expand...

Just one: don't use RJ45 connectors for this project...
 
I have a security camerea that I want to install in my house, and I am
thinking using Cat 5 cable (or maybe cat3). Is it dangerous to put 12v
through the Cat 5 cable? anyone done this before? This is what I am
thinking:

pair1: 12v DC
pair2: audio
pair3: video
pair4: not use

Any comments?
Click to expand...

12V is not too high for CAT5, but you'll have to consider the
current too. I'd expect the 'cam doesn't need more than 200mA,
which should work. However, given that you aren't even using all
the wires, you could just double up, put 12V and ground on two
separate twisted pairs that join at each end.

I presume you already know this cam will work from plain twisted
pair wiring, that it digitizes the feed? Often 'cams that
transmit analog need coax cabling.
 
I have run power for cameras over cat5 before, whenever I do that I use one
PAIR for +v and one PAIR for ground. As far as running video over cat5 you
need to see if the camera accepts that, if not you will need to use a
balun.( sorry no links at this time)
 
Hi Tommi,

No problem. There are several cameras which are designed to run power and
video over CAT5. Just choose a camera that spec's CAT5 and you'll be fine.

Alarm and Home Automation System FAQ
http://www.bass-home.com/faq/masterfaq/faq.htm

Regards,
Robert

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
2291 Pine View Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34231
877-722-8900 Sales & Tech Support
941-925-9747 Fax
941-232-0791 Wireless
Nextel Private ID - 161*21755*1
http://www.bass-home.com
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>
 
Depends on the distance. Video and Audio is no issue once you are
using an active UTP hub, or even passive up to 750'.

If you can, run power seperately.

What is the reason to use UTP? I only ever use it, if I want high
quality video using Active UTP Receivers. Passive UTP is the same
quality of Coax. Also, both are generally interference free. And you
can utilize existing wire. If you are
using it for any other reason it is not worth it.

Rory
 
Si Ballenger said:
What about ring Ring Voltage on cat3 phone wire,
which is generally 70 to 90 volts at 17 Hz to 20 Hz?
Click to expand...

Correct. CAT5 cable has no trouble handling 12V power as long as the
amperage is low. Most (not all) newer model cameras draw very little
current.

Alarm and Home Automation System FAQ
http://www.bass-home.com/faq/masterfaq/faq.htm

Regards,
Robert

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
2291 Pine View Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34231
877-722-8900 Sales & Tech Support
941-925-9747 Fax
941-232-0791 Wireless
Nextel Private ID - 161*21755*1
http://www.bass-home.com
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>
 
Si Ballenger said:
What about ring Ring Voltage on cat3 phone wire,
which is generally 70 to 90 volts at 17 Hz to 20 Hz?
Click to expand...

Correct. CAT5 cable has no trouble handling 12V power as long as the
amperage is low. Most (not all) newer model cameras draw very little
current.

Alarm and Home Automation System FAQ
http://www.bass-home.com/faq/masterfaq/faq.htm

Regards,
Robert

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
2291 Pine View Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34231
877-722-8900 Sales & Tech Support
941-925-9747 Fax
941-232-0791 Wireless
Nextel Private ID - 161*21755*1
http://www.bass-home.com
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>
 
Tommi said:
I have a security camerea that I want to install in my house, and I am
thinking using Cat 5 cable (or maybe cat3). Is it dangerous to put 12v
through the Cat 5 cable? anyone done this before? This is what I am
thinking:

pair1: 12v DC
pair2: audio
pair3: video
pair4: not use
Click to expand...

Wow, lots of bad info in the thread...

1) Read the RFCs or just google for PoE.
The spec is 48VDC over the *TWO* unused pair of wires
in a CAT5 - the other two pair run (10 or 100Mb) Ethernet.


48VDC is nice to use because I can power a 12 amp
device with 1/4Amp of power.

At 12VDC, I'd need 1 AMP to get 12W.

2) Now I'm sure you can also find out the power limits for
the distance and wire gauge limits.
 
The phone ring is in the very low milliamps of current. It is also not DC.

--

Jerry G.
==========================


Cat. wire is NOT designed to conduct 12V safely.
Click to expand...

What about ring Ring Voltage on cat3 phone wire, which is
generally 70 to 90 volts at 17 Hz to 20 Hz?
 
CAT5 wire was not designed to run devices that require more than a few
milliamps. Also, if you are going to put video over this type of wire that
is not in digital format designed for CAT5, the pictures will be severely
degraded.

If your camera is putting out baseband video, or RF video, you will require
the proper specified wire for the video. As for the power for the camera,
the proper type wire will also be required.

--

Jerry G.
==========================



I have a security camerea that I want to install in my house, and I am
thinking using Cat 5 cable (or maybe cat3). Is it dangerous to put 12v
through the Cat 5 cable? anyone done this before? This is what I am
thinking:

pair1: 12v DC
pair2: audio
pair3: video
pair4: not use

Any comments?
 
CAT5 wire was not designed to run devices that require
more than a few milliamps. Also, if you are going to put
video over this type of wire that is not in digital format
designed for CAT5, the pictures will be severely degraded.

If your camera is putting out baseband video, or RF video,
you will require the proper specified wire for the video.
As for the power for the camera, the proper type wire will
also be required.
Click to expand...

Hi Jerry,

I don't disagree about the limited current capacity of CAT5 (24 gauge)
cable. However, many newer cameras draw very little power. Some are
designed specifically to run power and video over CAT5.

Other cameras can be made to work with category cable by using baluns at
each end. As with any type of processing there is a certain amount of
distortion and noise introduction in a balun. How much is an inverse
function of quality. If you use good quality equipment you will not have
noticeable loss.

Alarm and Home Automation System FAQ
http://www.bass-home.com/faq/masterfaq/faq.htm

Regards,
Robert

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
2291 Pine View Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34231
877-722-8900 Sales & Tech Support
941-925-9747 Fax
941-232-0791 Wireless
Nextel Private ID - 161*21755*1
http://www.bass-home.com
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>
 
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