Guides
How Many Watts Does a PoE Camera Use? (af vs at Sizing)
A practical watt table for PoE cameras and the simple math to size a PoE switch so no port runs starved.
Published 2026-08-27
PoE cameras do not draw a fixed amount — the number decides which switch you need. Here is the quick reference.
The PoE watt math
Switches are rated by port power and total budget. 802.3af delivers up to 15.4W at the port (about 12.95W at the device after cable loss); 802.3at delivers up to 30W (about 25.5W at the device). Your budget must cover the device draw of every camera combined, with headroom.
Typical camera draw
| Camera type | Typical draw | Needs |
|---|---|---|
| 2MP dome / bullet | 3–5W | 802.3af |
| 4MP / 4K dome / bullet | 5–10W | 802.3af / at |
| PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) | 15–30W | 802.3at |
| Camera with heater / wiper | up to 30W | 802.3at |
Example: eight 4MP bullets at ~7W each = 56W. An 8-Port PoE Switch (802.3at) with a ~120W budget covers them with room to spare, and 802.3at ports also power any 802.3af camera.
Sizing rule of thumb
- Add every camera's device draw, then add ~20% headroom.
- If any camera is PTZ or heated, plan for 802.3at on that port.
- For mixed fleets, an 802.3at switch is the safe default — it is backward compatible with 802.3af.
Bigger builds: the 16-Port PoE Switch and 24-Port PoE Switch scale the same math to 16–24 powered ports with dedicated uplinks.
Frequently asked
Do all PoE cameras use the same watts?
No. Standard domes and bullets draw 3–10W; PTZ and heated cameras draw 15–30W. Check each camera’s rated draw and total them before choosing a switch.
How do I calculate the PoE switch power budget I need?
Sum the device-side watt draw of every camera, add about 20% headroom, and pick a switch whose total PoE budget exceeds that. 802.3at switches also power 802.3af cameras, so they are a safe default for mixed installs.
Are SurveilForge accessories compatible with Hikvision, Dahua and Axis cameras?
Yes — they follow open surveillance standards (IEEE 802.3af/at PoE, RJ45, BNC, DC 12V/24V) and work with any brand using those standards, including Hikvision, Dahua and Axis. SurveilForge is an independent brand, not affiliated with any camera OEM.
Can I buy a single unit, or only wholesale?
Standard products are sold as single units in our shop. Custom or OEM branding and volume pricing start at a minimum order of 300 pieces.
How long does shipping take?
We ship worldwide; lead time varies by destination and order size. Contact us for a quote on your region.
Products mentioned in this guide
8-Port PoE Switch (802.3at)
Model: SF-POE-8P-AT
8-port 10/100 PoE switch, 48V, up to 30W per port for PTZ and high-power cameras.
16-Port PoE Switch
Model: SF-POE-16P
16-port 10/100 PoE switch for mid-size multi-camera deployments.
24-Port PoE Switch
Model: SF-POE-24P
24-port gigabit PoE switch for campus and enterprise surveillance backbones.