PoE Switch for CCTV: How Many Ports and Watts Do You Need?
Short answer: pick a PoE switch with at least one port per IP camera plus one or two spare, and a total PoE power budget that is higher than the combined wattage of all cameras with about 20 to 30 percent headroom. A 4-camera home or shop setup is usually served by a 4-port switch with a 65W budget, and an 8-camera setup by an 8-port switch with around 120W. On our store PoE switches cost ₹1,199 to ₹3,450; prices include GST and delivery across India is free.
What does a PoE switch do in a CCTV system?
PoE stands for Power over Ethernet. An IP camera connected to a PoE switch gets both its data and its power through one LAN cable. You do not need an adaptor or a power socket at each camera, which is the biggest saving on a boundary wall, a high ceiling or a long corridor. The switch then connects to the NVR (network video recorder) or router through an uplink port.
PoE is for IP cameras. Analog HD cameras that connect to a DVR with coaxial cable or video baluns do not use PoE; they need a separate 12V supply. Check your camera type before buying a switch.
How many ports do I need?
Count your cameras, then add room to grow. The usual pattern is:
- Up to 4 cameras: a 4-port PoE switch, ideally with 2 uplink ports (often written "4+2"). One uplink goes to the NVR, the other to the router or another switch.
- 5 to 8 cameras: an 8-port PoE switch. If you have exactly 4 cameras today but plan more, buy the 8-port now; it costs less than adding a second switch later.
- More than 8 cameras: two switches, or a larger managed switch. Ask us on WhatsApp with your camera count and cable lengths.
Uplink ports usually do not supply PoE. Do not count them as camera ports.
How many watts do I need?
Every PoE switch has two power numbers. Both matter.
- Per-port limit: the most power one port can give. The 802.3af standard gives up to 15.4W per port, 802.3at up to 30W, and 802.3bt up to 60W or more. Ordinary fixed dome and bullet cameras fit easily under 802.3af. Pan-tilt-zoom cameras and cameras with heaters or strong lights may need 802.3at or bt ports.
- Total power budget: the most the whole switch can give across all ports at once. This is where cheap switches fall short.
To size the budget, find the maximum power on each camera's datasheet (look for "Power consumption" or "Max"), add them up, and add 20 to 30 percent. Use the night figure if it is listed, because infrared lights add load after dark.
Worked example: four cameras, each listed at 8W maximum, need 32W. With headroom that is about 40W, so a switch with a 65W budget, such as the Trueview 4+2, is comfortable. Eight such cameras need 64W, about 80W with headroom, which fits inside the 120W budget of the CP Plus 8-port models.
How far can the camera be from the switch?
Standard Ethernet runs up to 100 metres per cable. Many CCTV switches add an "extend" mode that pushes power and video further at a lower data speed, enough for a single camera. Listings on our store state up to 130 m for the CP Plus 8-port switches and up to 250 m for the Trueview 4+2 and the Realtime RS402-4 (the RS402-4 listing asks for Cat5e or Cat6 cable). Use solid copper Cat6 for long runs; thin copper-clad cable drops voltage and cameras reboot at night.
Do I need a gigabit PoE switch?
For most homes and shops, no. A 4MP camera stream is a few megabits per second, and 10/100 ports handle that easily. A gigabit switch makes sense when you have many high-resolution cameras sending to one NVR over a single uplink, or when the switch also carries office computers. The CP-ANW-GPU8G2-N12 is our gigabit option.
PoE switches for CCTV: prices (NavKar Systems, 27 October 2026)
| Model | Ports (from listing) | PoE budget / per port | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Realtime RSS04 | 4 PoE, 10/100 | see product page | Budget 4-camera setup | ₹1,199 |
| Realtime RS402-4 | 4 PoE, 10/100, 802.3af/at | see product page; 250 m extend | 4 cameras with long cable runs | ₹1,450 |
| CP-ANW-HPU8H2-N12 | 8 PoE + 2 uplink, 10/100 | 120W; 30W per port, 60W on ports 7–8 | Up to 8 cameras, including two high-power PTZ | ₹1,950 |
| Secureye 4+2 PoE Switch | 4 PoE + 2 uplink, 10/100 | see product page | 4 cameras, metal body with lightning protection | ₹2,099 |
| Trueview 4+2 (T38261) | 4 PoE + 2 uplink, 10/100, 802.3af/at | 65W; up to 30W per port; 250 m | 4 cameras with a clear power budget | ₹2,699 |
| NavKar 8+2 PoE Switch | 8 PoE + 2 uplink, 10/100 | see product page | 8-camera CCTV | ₹2,699 |
| CP-ANW-GPU8G2-N12 | 8 PoE + 2 uplink, gigabit | 120W; 30W per port, 60W on ports 7–8 | 8 high-resolution cameras or mixed office use | ₹3,450 |
Accessories for a neat PoE installation
| Product | What it does | Price |
|---|---|---|
| POES-12 PoE Splitter / Multiplexer | Three-way RJ45 connector for IP camera cabling | ₹281 |
| POE-BXM Switch Box Cabinet | Enclosure to house a PoE switch | ₹650 |
| RK-2U Wall Rack | Steel wall rack with glass door for NVR and switch | ₹1,450 |
| RK-4U Rack with 4 Sockets | Larger rack with four power sockets | ₹1,949 |
Browse all models in network and PoE switches and CCTV racks and accessories. For help choosing cameras, read the CCTV camera buying guide for homes and shops and the CCTV camera price guide. If you are powering analog cameras instead, see how to choose a 12V power adaptor. You can also plan the whole system with our security system builder.
FAQ
How many cameras can a 4-port PoE switch support?
Four IP cameras, one per PoE port. The uplink ports connect the switch to the NVR or router and normally do not power cameras.
What is PoE power budget?
It is the total wattage the switch can supply across all its PoE ports at the same time. Add up the maximum power of every camera and keep 20 to 30 percent spare.
Can I use a normal switch for IP cameras?
Yes, but then every camera needs its own adaptor and a power point nearby. A PoE switch sends power through the LAN cable and removes that wiring.
What is the maximum cable length for a PoE camera?
Standard Ethernet allows 100 metres. Switches with an extend mode can go further at reduced speed; our listings state up to 130 m or 250 m depending on the model.
Do PTZ cameras need a special PoE switch?
Many PTZ cameras need more power than a standard 802.3af port gives. Use a switch with 802.3at or high-power ports, such as ports 7 and 8 on the CP Plus 8-port models, and check the camera datasheet.
What does a PoE switch for CCTV cost in India?
Our 4-port PoE switches cost ₹1,199 to ₹2,699 and 8-port models ₹1,950 to ₹3,450, including GST with free delivery across India.
Prices are NavKar Systems website prices on 27 October 2026, inclusive of GST, and may change.
