In modern IP security systems, Power over Ethernet (PoE) has become a core technology for delivering both data and electrical power through a single Ethernet cable. As security cameras continue to evolve with higher resolutions and more advanced features, the demand for greater and more stable power has increased accordingly. This is where PoE+ comes into play.

This article explains the key differences between PoE and PoE+, why modern security cameras increasingly rely on PoE+, and how to choose the right solution for different surveillance scenarios.

1. PoE vs PoE+: Technical Standard Comparison

PoE and PoE+ are both defined by IEEE networking standards, ensuring consistent, safe, and interoperable power delivery across compatible switches and devices.

Understanding the Difference

The most important distinction between PoE and PoE+ lies in power capacity. While standard PoE is suitable for basic IP cameras, PoE+ delivers nearly double the power, enabling it to reliably support modern security cameras with advanced functions such as PTZ movement, powerful night illumination, and onboard AI processing.

Another major advantage of PoE+ is backward compatibility. A PoE+ switch can power both PoE and PoE+ cameras simultaneously, making system upgrades and expansions far more flexible.

2. Why Are Security Cameras Increasingly Requiring PoE+?

The Pain Points of Traditional Power

Traditional security camera installations often relied on separate power adapters and long power runs, bringing several challenges:

• Need for Extra Power Outlets

Installing dedicated electrical outlets near every camera can be difficult and expensive, especially in outdoor or elevated locations.

• Complex Cabling and Higher Costs

Running both power and data separately increases installation effort, time, and labor costs. Increased cabling can also complicate maintenance later.

• Safety Risks in Outdoor Environments

Exposed power connections outdoors can create safety hazards and are vulnerable to weather damage.

• Limitations of Standard PoE

Regular PoE (802.3af) has a limited power budget. While sufficient for many basic cameras, it often falls short when feeding more advanced models that include multiple lighting systems, motors for movements, or onboard analytics.

• Growing Camera Power Requirements

Today's security cameras often include several performance-intensive features:

High Resolution – 4K and above imaging increase data and processing needs.

Dual Lights / Full-Color Night Vision – These LEDs draw substantial power at night.

Motorized Zoom and PTZ Mechanics – Moving parts need additional current.

AI Analytics – Edge computing for detection and classification consumes extra energy.

Taken together, these developments make traditional power solutions and standard PoE increasingly impractical. PoE+ addresses these challenges by delivering higher, more stable power while maintaining a simple, unified cabling structure.

3. Advantages of PoE+ in Real Deployments

Adopting PoE+ brings many tangible benefits for security camera systems:

• Single Cable for Power and Data

A single Cat5e or higher Ethernet cable can carry both power and video data, significantly simplifying installations.

• Simplified Wiring and Lower Labor

With fewer cables and no need for power outlets at every camera location, installers can reduce both labor and material costs.

• Stable Power Delivery

PoE+ provides a steady and controlled power supply. By minimizing voltage fluctuations, it helps prevent issues like reboot loops or degraded performance due to unstable electrical feeds.

• Centralized Power Management

Security administrators can centralize power control at the switch, making it easier to monitor and maintain the entire system.

• Future-Ready and Scalable

PoE+ systems are more scalable. When expanding your network, adding more cameras doesn’t require new electrical feeds — just another Ethernet run.

4. What Security Scenarios Are Best Suited for PoE+?

• Commercial Environments

In offices, warehouses, retail stores, and manufacturing facilities, PoE+ supports advanced cameras with PTZ and analytics that help protect large spaces and monitor complex activities.

• Residential Use

Homes with larger properties, villas, parking lots, or outdoor areas benefit from PoE+ systems. These environments often require higher-performance cameras with night lighting and smart detection.

• Multi-Camera Systems

In medium to large installations with many cameras running 24/7, centralized PoE+ simplifies power budgeting and reduces points of failure. It also ensures each camera gets reliable power for peak performance.

Across all scenarios, PoE+ helps reduce installation time, maintenance complexity, and operational headaches.

5. ANNKE PoE+ Device Application Scenarios

High-performance security cameras place greater demands on power delivery—making PoE+ essential for ensuring stable operation and full feature support.

ANNKE’s PoE+ capable cameras are designed for such demanding environments. For example, a model like the ANNKE CZ825X demonstrates how PoE+ enables advanced surveillance capabilities in real-world applications.

This type of PoE+ PTZ camera is well suited for:

• Large outdoor areas, such as campuses, industrial sites, and perimeter zones
• Long-range monitoring, supported by powerful optical zoom and advanced night vision
• Intelligent surveillance, enabled by AI-based detection functions

With robust weather resistance and reliable power delivery, PoE+ cameras like the CZ825X are built to operate continuously in challenging conditions without performance compromise.

Complementary Capabilities

PoE+ also supports additional features commonly required in professional surveillance systems, including:

• Two-way audio for interactive monitoring
• Flexible local or network storage options
• Compatibility with common network protocols such as RTSP, IPv4/IPv6, and SMTP

Compatibility and System Stability

Because PoE+ is backward compatible, ANNKE systems allow mixed deployments where PoE and PoE+ cameras operate together on a PoE+ switch. This flexibility makes PoE+ ideal for phased upgrades and scalable system designs.

Conclusion

Choosing between PoE and PoE+ ultimately depends on your camera’s power requirements and the complexity of your surveillance system. While standard PoE remains suitable for basic applications, PoE+ has become the preferred choice for modern, feature-rich security cameras due to its higher power capacity, stable performance, and simplified deployment.

For professional surveillance systems—whether commercial, residential, or large-scale—PoE+ provides the reliability, scalability, and flexibility that today’s security demands require.