Industrial GigE camera with or without Power over Ethernet?

When selecting the most suitable Gigabit Ethernet camera for your machine vision project, you should know the differences between industrial cameras with and without Power over Ethernet (PoE). PoE means that the CAT6 network cable simultaneously works as communication and as the power supply for the camera.

You can recognise a camera with PoE by the article number with a “-P” at the end. For example, the MER2-630-18GC-P is our 6,3 mega pixel camera with Power over Ethernet, while the MER2-630-18GC has the same image sensor but no Power over Ethernet. Both cameras with PoE and without PoE have their advantages and disadvantages. These are explained below.

Why choose for a camera with Power over Ethernet

Using a GigE camera with PoE is the most convenient way to power your industrial Gigabit Ethernet camera. You only need one cable to power the camera and receive images.

Furthermore, GeT Cameras usually only has GigE cameras with PoE on stock. Therefore, these cameras have a way shorter lead time. We choose to solely have cameras with PoE on stock because you can power the camera using PoE, but also using the I/O cable; just like you would do with the version without PoE. If you want to order a camera without PoE, the lead time will be longer.

Why choose for a camera without Power over Ethernet

Even though cameras with PoE have advantages, there are also disadvantages. First, PoE cameras are longer than cameras without PoE. Take the MER2-630-18GC-P for example once more.

The dimensions for this camera are: 29x29x40.3mm (excluding the I/O connector). The dimensions for the MER2-630-18GC (without PoE) are 29x29x29mm (excluding the I/O connector). These 11.3mm can be of importance for your machine vision application.

Secondly, powering the camera with PoE will create excess heat resulting in the camera temperature being higher. If you are using machine vision cameras in warm environments, the additional heat from using Power over Ethernet may damage the application or the camera itself. If you use an external power source to power the camera, the camera will operate on less heat.

Thirdly to power a camera using PoE you will need a PoE Inserter or PoE Switch with power supply, while if you connect a non-PoE camera, you only need a power supply and a I/O cable.

Learn more about the ways to power a GigE camera, with or without PoE in our Knowledge Center.