PoE & cameras
Power present is only the first check.
Understand identification, power budgets and behaviour under load before replacing the camera or switch.
Is the problem power delivery or lost video?
Check whether the camera actually restarts or only loses its video stream before investigating the power supply. For a restart, compare the camera requirement with the port limit and shared switch budget. Reproduce the failing operating mode on a known-good short lead, then compare the installed run under the same conditions.
- Record uptime, switch events and the feature that triggers the failure.
- Check the camera requirement, individual port limit and total PoE budget.
- Compare the cable paths and, with suitable equipment, measure behaviour under load.
Which related test could help next?
Use the related guides to check another part of the diagnosis once the first comparison is complete. Wiring, application support and power delivery are different questions, so a result in one area may leave another unresolved. Select the next test from the remaining symptom, rather than treating every PASS as a complete answer.
All eight lights pass. Why is Ethernet still at 100 Mb/s?
Eight continuity lights show that conductors connect from one end to the other. They do not prove correct pairing or gigabit performance. First confirm both ports support gigabit and negotiate automatically. Then substitute a known-good short lead, isolate the installed run, and check for split pairs, poor terminations and intermittent faults.
Read the guideVerification, qualification or certification?
Verification checks basic wiring. Qualification assesses support for a stated network application. Certification measures an installed link against a selected cabling standard and test limit. Choose the level from the job’s acceptance requirement: a continuity pass does not certify Cat6 or Cat6A, and the tester’s brand does not define the test level.
Read the guideWhich references support these checks?
The references below support the terminology, documented tool capabilities and external cases used in this category. Manufacturer information applies to the named instrument; a published case records another author’s observations. Follow the linked guide for the relevant scope and limitations, and use the project specification to determine any required acceptance test.