Running CAT-5 POE outside

[robin339]

Hi guys!
I am trying to run 12v POE for IP cameras outside my home. The poe switch is powering 4 cameras at the moment. The cables go through the drywalls that have fiberglass insulation inside.
Two of the lines go all the around the home (outside about a 45 feet) on the second level and over the siding.

I am majorly concerned about a lightning strike, and/or a POE line cross inside the wall due to the weather temperature change and catch on fire.

What is the proper way of doing this other than hiring an electrician for insane amount of money?

Thanks in advance !!!

~ Robin

 

[mforrence]

You could try hiring an electrician for a reasonable amount of money. Stay away from the insane ones.
Chances of a lightning strike are minimal, especially if cameras are not the highest point.
For second level cams, you may do better to come out of the attic/crawl thru soffit.
FYI - most 802.3 PoE devices are 48vDC

 

[jrgood0852]

Do yourself a favor. Get outdoor cable if it isn't already. Here is one place that does a variety of such...............

http://catalog.occfiber.com/app.php?RelId=6.1.8.6&BookCode=opt12flx&PageLabel=205&from=2

Always look out for the next tech. because one day it will be you!

 

[robin339]

Thanks for the replies!!

What about grounding?

A month ago I was using POE injector, and one of the lines was "short" i think, so my switch caught on fire inside

How can I avoid this in the future? other than to make sure lines are not crossed? is there something equivalent to a "fuse" ?

Thanks again!

 

[mforrence]

When cables are installed and terminated properly, troubles like you describe are VERY VERY rare. A rodent chewing thru a wire may cause grief - but little you can do. Better PoE switches will have a max wattage before they shut off power.
Regarding grounding, depends on the spec of the device. I don't recall ever seeing an IP cam that required separate grounding.
Your questions lead me to believe that you're a bit outside of your comfort zone. If you're worried, pay a pro to do it right. Or read up on terminating cables and go for it. If you have the right tools, it's not a difficult task. Getting the cables from point A to B is the tough part, particularly in a house.

 

[edfair]

robin's ?:
"I am majorly concerned about a lightning strike"

mforrence's comment:
"Chances of a lightning strike are minimal"

Agreed that one is unlikely but have seen the induced spike effects of a nearby strike. The shorter your runs the better.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[wires]

As long as all the cameras are on the same building AND below roof level as the rest of the local network no additional grounding should be required or needed.

Do yourself a favor and get a real POE switch or injectors that are at least IEEE 802.3af compliant. This should make sure power on the ethernet cable stays withing reasonable limits.

 

[OzzieGeorge]

You might try some of these.....

http://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Ethernet-Protector-Gigabit-1000Mbs/dp/B008060BU0

but make sure you have good earth bonding!

 

[sbcsu]

Put in a lightning conductor with a copper link to ground.
The conductor itself should be at the highest point, it will take lightening away from other possible grounds.

 

[OzzieGeorge]

I would not recommend attracting lightning to your property as a great deal of damage is done to equipment by ground strikes in the vicinity. Especially where there is a copper link through your equipment to a telephone exchange where there is a good low potential earth as the high potential will travel up the earth wire of your equipment and head for the low potential earth doing untold damage on the way through.

 

[sbcsu]

It is done on all tall buildings.
Look for the copper strip on the outside of the building, it goes to its own earth.
Otherwise tall buildings would be a target for lightning strikes everywhere.
More Info Here

If a site is prone to lightning strikes then you have to put in lightning arrestors on all lines and cables entering the building.

 

[jrgood0852]

sbcsu is on the money. This is certainly a code.

Always look out for the next tech. because one day it will be you!

 

[OzzieGeorge]

Whilst a lightning rod or conductor is suitable in areas with a good earth mat, in other areas it is not a good idea. Admittedly I am based in Oz where we do have poor earth mats (soil conductivity) but here is a link to an explanation by an Australian expert on the subject, see what you think.......

http://www.titab.com.au/sites/titab.com.au/files/cabling_between_buildings.pdf