PoE Switch Calculator
Count the devices that will be powered over the network cable. The calculator adds up the power, leaves room to spare, counts the ports and picks the Silarius PoE switch that fits.
Not sure what you need yet? Place your cameras on a map in the free Silarius Site Planner. It counts the ports and picks the switch, recorder and cable automatically.
Open the Site PlannerHow the calculator works
PoE (Power over Ethernet) sends power and data down one network cable, so cameras need no outlet nearby. Each switch can give out only so much power in total. The calculator adds the typical power of every device, keeps 20% in reserve, and counts one port per device, one port for your router and one for the recorder.
| Silarius switch | PoE ports | Power budget | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIL-B16M3POE1G300 | 16 | 300 W | Up to 14 cameras plus the recorder |
| SIL-B24M3POE1G400 | 24 | 400 W | Up to 22 cameras plus the recorder |
| SIL-B48M3POE1G500 | 48 | 500 W | Up to 46 cameras plus the recorder |
All three are gigabit, managed, with 10G SFP+ uplinks and 6 kV surge protection, and carry the Silarius 3-year warranty.
Questions
Do I need a PoE switch if my recorder has PoE ports?
Not always. A recorder with built-in PoE powers its cameras directly, so small systems up to its port count need no switch. Add a switch when you have more cameras than the recorder has PoE ports.
Why keep 20% power in reserve?
Cameras draw more at night when the infrared lights are on, and PTZ cameras draw more while they move. The reserve keeps every device powered at its peak.
How far can a PoE cable run?
Up to 328 feet (100 meters) of Cat6 between the switch and the device. For longer runs, add a second switch closer to the cameras or use fiber between buildings.