To size a PoE switch for business CCTV, add up each camera’s power draw, add about 25% headroom, and choose a switch whose total PoE budget is above that figure and whose ports support each camera’s class: 16 standard cameras at about 7 W need about 112 W, so a switch with a 140 W budget or more. Keep every cable run under 100 m (328 ft), give the recorder and switch a UPS, and check each camera’s datasheet because PTZ cameras and cameras with heaters draw far more. This page gives the planning table, the port standards, the cable limit and a UPS load table.
PCBy the Pixl Canada install team. Calculated October 26, 2026. 7 min read.
- Watts per camera type
- Switch budget for 4 to 32 cameras
- 100 m cable limit
- UPS load estimate
- A switch has two limits: a total PoE budget and a per-port limit. You must satisfy both.
- Standard cameras are in the low single-digit to about 8 W range. PTZ and heated cameras can draw 25 to 30 W or more.
- Ethernet runs are limited to 100 m (328 ft) without a repeater or fibre.
- Put the recorder and the switch on a UPS so a short outage does not stop recording.
How much power does a CCTV camera use on PoE?
These are planning values. Always check the camera’s datasheet, because draw changes with the model, infrared night mode, heaters and motors.
| Camera type | Planning draw | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed dome or bullet (2 to 8 MP) | about 7 W | Many are lower, some higher with infrared on |
| Camera with built-in heater for cold climates | about 12 to 15 W | Check the datasheet for the heater draw |
| PTZ camera | about 25 to 30 W | Motors and heaters. See the PTZ camera guide |
| Multi-sensor panoramic camera | about 15 to 25 W | Varies widely by model |
What do the PoE standards mean?
| Standard | Common name | Maximum at the switch port | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IEEE 802.3af | PoE | 15.4 W | Most fixed cameras |
| IEEE 802.3at | PoE+ | 30 W | PTZ and heated cameras |
| IEEE 802.3bt | PoE++ | 60 W or 90 W | High-power cameras and special equipment |
A camera that needs more than the port can give will not run correctly. Match the standard of each port to the cameras on it.
How big a PoE budget does the switch need?
Add up every camera’s draw, then add about 25% headroom so the switch is not at its limit. The table assumes standard cameras at 7 W.
| Cameras | Total draw | With 25% headroom | Ports to plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 28 W | 35 W | 8 ports |
| 8 | 56 W | 70 W | 8 to 10 ports |
| 16 | 112 W | 140 W | 16 to 18 ports |
| 32 | 224 W | 280 W | 32 to 34 ports |
Worked mixed example: 14 fixed cameras at 7 W plus 2 PTZ cameras at 30 W is 98 W + 60 W = 158 W, or about 198 W with 25% headroom. The PTZ cameras need ports that support 30 W, so the switch must provide PoE+ on those ports. Spare ports for the recorder, an uplink and future cameras are worth planning for. See PoE camera systems and wired vs WiFi cameras.
What is the maximum cable length for a PoE camera?
| Situation | Rule of thumb |
|---|---|
| Standard Ethernet run | 100 m (328 ft) maximum from switch to camera |
| Longer than 100 m | Add a second switch or a repeater, or use fibre between buildings |
| Cable type | Use solid copper Ethernet cable, not copper-clad aluminum, which can fail on long or high-power runs |
| Outdoor runs | Use outdoor-rated cable and protect connections from weather |
Long outdoor runs are one reason lots, yards and storage sites need a site plan, not just a camera count. See farm security cameras and parking lot cameras.
How do you size a UPS for a CCTV system?
A UPS keeps the recorder and switch running through a short outage. The load is the recorder plus the switch, and the switch load includes the power it passes to the cameras.
| System | Cameras draw | Switch overhead | Recorder | Approximate UPS load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 cameras | 28 W | about 10 W | about 30 W | about 68 W |
| 8 cameras | 56 W | about 10 W | about 30 W | about 96 W |
| 16 cameras | 112 W | about 15 W | about 40 W | about 167 W |
Pick a UPS from the manufacturer’s runtime chart for your load, and aim for a runtime long enough to ride through short outages or to shut the recorder down cleanly. Recorder and switch overhead figures vary by model, so use the datasheets.
PoE switch and UPS for CCTV: frequently asked questions
How big a PoE switch do I need for 16 cameras?
Standard cameras at about 7 W total 112 W, or about 140 W with 25% headroom. PTZ and heated cameras need more, so add them separately.
What is the maximum PoE cable length?
100 m (328 ft) for a standard Ethernet run. Use a switch, repeater or fibre for longer distances.
Do I need PoE+ for security cameras?
Only for cameras that draw more than a standard PoE port can give, such as many PTZ cameras. Check each datasheet.
Do I need a UPS for security cameras?
It is strongly recommended for businesses so that short outages do not stop recording.
Can I mix PoE and non-PoE cameras?
Yes, but non-PoE cameras need their own power supplies. Wired PoE is usually simpler and steadier.
Does Pixl size the switch and UPS?
Yes. Wired CCTV gets a free written quote that lists the cameras, recorder, switch, UPS and cabling separately. You pay after the job.
Get the switch, UPS and cabling sized for you
Send the camera count and photos of the site. Free written quote for wired CCTV. You pay after the job.
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Sources and method. PoE power classes follow the IEEE 802.3af, 802.3at and 802.3bt standards. Camera and equipment draw are planning values, not measurements of one product. Check datasheets before buying equipment.
About Pixl Canada. Pixl Canada is an installation company based in Edmonton, Alberta, serving cities across Canada with TV mounting, security cameras, appliance installation and smart home setup. Call or text (587) 899-7495. Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 7pm.