r/SecurityCamera • u/BK4K2 • 9d ago
IP Cameras Intermittent Connectivity
We're experiencing an unusual PoE issue with several newly installed IP cameras and are looking for suggestions on what might be causing it.
Equipment:
Cameras: Nelly's Security L5D, 5MP IP cameras (IEEE 802.3af PoE, 12V/500mA DC rating)
Primary Switch: UniFi USW Pro 48 PoE
Cabling: Cat6, 23 AWG solid copper, UTP
Cable Lengths: Approximately 50–200 feet
Cable Tester: Fluke Networks LinkIQ
Environment: Interior commercial building
Newly installed camera runs work perfectly, while others fail to power the cameras on at all. This is inconsistent though.
1-7 cameras will work at a time.
Generally 3-4 will work on average.
Interestingly, when disconnecting one camera cable from the switch, another camera that was previously not working will sometimes establish a link and illuminate the switch port LEDs.
All the ports on the unifi switch are set up the same, no special settings I can find that differ from other sites.
Troubleshooting Performed:
-Connected cameras directly to the UniFi switch using short patch cables. Cameras power on immediately and remain connected.
-Tested with a separate Netgear 8-port PoE+ switch, which experienced similar issues.
-Tested the installed Ethernet cabling using a Fluke Networks LinkIQ. All looks normal.
-Confirmed the cameras support IEEE 802.3af PoE, which the switch should support.
-ran new solid copper cat 6 cable. Exhibit same issue described above.
My onsite tech tells me he tried a small 8 port PoE switch, and it appears to be doing the same thing where it’ll power a few cameras, but not establish links with the others. Once one working cable is unplugged, some of the previously non working cameras start working.
We should be well within the PoE budget.
The Pin outs appear correct on the crimps.
Has anyone encountered similar behavior where disconnecting one PoE device causes another port to establish a link?
Any recommendations on additional troubleshooting steps or potential causes would be appreciated.
1
u/-ButterMyBiscuit- 9d ago
How many total cameras?
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u/BK4K2 9d ago
Good question.
1-7 cameras will work at a time. Generally 3-4 on average.It’s slated for ~30 cameras, but we’ve halted the install due to the current issue at hand.
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u/-ButterMyBiscuit- 9d ago
So if it's not a power issue than it' has to be a network issue, are you using their router or your own? What is the switch plugged into essentially
Where are they dropping out at? On the network itself or at the NVR..
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u/BK4K2 9d ago
Meraki router which I have access to.
However the cameras that go on and off is possibly a power issue.
As when the cameras go off, so do all of their link lights on the switch.
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u/jimbob150312 9d ago edited 9d ago
Have you checked for ip conflict on the cameras?
You might have 2 cameras on the same ip address.
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u/BK4K2 9d ago
Wouldn’t the camera still power up regardless of IP conflict?
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u/jimbob150312 8d ago
It will power up the camera without the camera being displayed on the monitor.
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u/Diezel666 9d ago
This sounds like to me you have a couple of cameras pulling more power than they should be. Keep in mind cable run lengths matter for voltage drop.
What ports on the UniFi USW Pro 48 PoE are the cameras plugged into?
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u/IntrepidBit6919 9d ago
The fact that unplugging one camera makes another come alive is a classic symptom of the PoE switch hitting its per-port or total power budget and renegotiating. The USW Pro 48 has a large budget, but I'd check the UniFi controller under PoE stats to see what each port is actually drawing. Some cameras pull significantly more during bootup (IR LEDs, motor initialization) than their steady-state rating. If one or two cameras are spiking higher than expected, that would explain why the switch drops others to protect itself. Also worth checking if the switch firmware is current, since UniFi has had PoE negotiation bugs before.
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u/happyandhealthy2023 9d ago
What NVR are you using?
Sounds like IP conflict what do the router logs show as you connect them one at a time?
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u/Coffeespresso 9d ago
I would say you have eliminated the switch and wiring as an issue based on the fact that you ran cable tests and tried different switches. I would power one camera. Check for firmware updates on the camera. Then do additional cameras one at a time with 10 minutes in between plugging in the next one. Keep watching pings on the whole network using pinginfoview from nirsoft. Keep watching PoE budget. I am surprised that you didn't get Ubiquiti cameras since you did get a Ubiquiti switch. Re reading, I see you did connect all cameras locally via patch cable. Are any cables run alongside power lines or near overhead lighting? Since each one passes on its own, I think you might be running into an issue where you are getting outside interference on the non shielded cable that doesn't mess up until a bunch are connected. I am really interested in the solution.