Answer
Apr 18, 2025 - 03:05 PM
The maximum distance a security camera can be powered and transmit data is determined by the type of cable and technology being used.
Network Cable
Most IP systems utilize Cat6 network cable, although Cat5 is also serviceable and was prevalent until Cat6 became widely available. Both cables are excellent for video surveillance, capable of transmitting far more data than a 4K camera requires, ensuring that neither cable will bottleneck data flow or hinder performance. The primary difference lies in the conductor size: Cat5 uses 24-gauge conductors, while Cat6 uses slightly larger 23-gauge conductors. This size difference allows Cat6 to send power further than Cat5. With Cat6 cable, the maximum distance from the camera to the recorder or PoE unit is 300 feet. There are three main types of Cat6e cable: indoor, outdoor, and direct burial. Cat6e is a high-quality cable made with 100% copper and features a center separator spline, and is typically non-shielded. Direct burial cable includes an extra outer PVC jacket with a gel-filled insulation layer separating the inner cable from the outer jacket. This additional protection increases the cost and complexity of installation but allows the cable to be directly buried in the ground or run across a flat roof without the need for a conduit, offering decades of durability when exposed to the elements. For applications that involve burying the cable, it is recommended to place it below the frost line, typically 8-12 inches deep. We offer black Direct Burial Cat6e cable in various lengths to meet your needs.
Some of our PoE units are equipped with a toggle switch that enables you to double the maximum port distance from 300 feet to 600 feet. However, this comes with a trade-off: you sacrifice the use of half of the PoE ports. By activating this switch, you effectively double the power source for half of the ports while reallocating power away from the remaining ports. For extending distances, PoE extenders are an excellent solution as they regenerate video data and power every 300 feet without requiring an external power source. Although these extenders can be directly buried in the ground, we highly recommend placing them in a PVC electrical box to safeguard the connections. You can deploy up to three PoE extenders on a single camera connection, except for PTZ cameras, which draw too much power and should be limited to one PoE extender.
Network Cable
Most IP systems utilize Cat6 network cable, although Cat5 is also serviceable and was prevalent until Cat6 became widely available. Both cables are excellent for video surveillance, capable of transmitting far more data than a 4K camera requires, ensuring that neither cable will bottleneck data flow or hinder performance. The primary difference lies in the conductor size: Cat5 uses 24-gauge conductors, while Cat6 uses slightly larger 23-gauge conductors. This size difference allows Cat6 to send power further than Cat5. With Cat6 cable, the maximum distance from the camera to the recorder or PoE unit is 300 feet. There are three main types of Cat6e cable: indoor, outdoor, and direct burial. Cat6e is a high-quality cable made with 100% copper and features a center separator spline, and is typically non-shielded. Direct burial cable includes an extra outer PVC jacket with a gel-filled insulation layer separating the inner cable from the outer jacket. This additional protection increases the cost and complexity of installation but allows the cable to be directly buried in the ground or run across a flat roof without the need for a conduit, offering decades of durability when exposed to the elements. For applications that involve burying the cable, it is recommended to place it below the frost line, typically 8-12 inches deep. We offer black Direct Burial Cat6e cable in various lengths to meet your needs.
Some of our PoE units are equipped with a toggle switch that enables you to double the maximum port distance from 300 feet to 600 feet. However, this comes with a trade-off: you sacrifice the use of half of the PoE ports. By activating this switch, you effectively double the power source for half of the ports while reallocating power away from the remaining ports. For extending distances, PoE extenders are an excellent solution as they regenerate video data and power every 300 feet without requiring an external power source. Although these extenders can be directly buried in the ground, we highly recommend placing them in a PVC electrical box to safeguard the connections. You can deploy up to three PoE extenders on a single camera connection, except for PTZ cameras, which draw too much power and should be limited to one PoE extender.
