How to power my security camera in a code compliant way?

You've just discovered the reason WiFi cameras ain't all that. Besides the fact most residential WiFi systems aren't terribly reliable: There's the "how to power it" question.

Personally: I gave up on Wifi cameras and installed PoE cameras everywhere.

N.B.: Dome cameras are usually contraindicated for outdoor installs or anywhere else where there's a high likelihood of airborne contamination such as heavy dust, pollen, rain, fog, etc. Problem is the that stuff sticks to the domes, seriously degrading video quality. Bullets and turrets are usually recommended for such environments. (Of those two: Turrets are generally preferred as they're less inclined to by fouled by spider webs.)

More Power! said:

You've just discovered the reason WiFi cameras ain't all that. Besides the fact most residential WiFi systems aren't terribly reliable: There's the "how to power it" question.

Personally: I gave up on Wifi cameras and installed PoE cameras everywhere.

N.B.: Dome cameras are usually contraindicated for outdoor installs or anywhere else where there's a high likelihood of airborne contamination such as heavy dust, pollen, rain, fog, etc. Problem is the that stuff sticks to the domes, seriously degrading video quality. Bullets and turrets are usually recommended for such environments. (Of those two: Turrets are generally preferred as they're less inclined to by fouled by spider webs.)

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Yes, I've heard that before about the advantages of POE. Problem is my house isn't wired for it and its difficult to do so. Would be interested in doing POE up to the garage, and then from the POE do wifi.

Sequoia1321 said:

Yes, I've heard that before about the advantages of POE. Problem is my house isn't wired for it and its difficult to do so.

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Few homes are and, yes: It's a PITA to run cable for PoE.

Sequoia1321 said:

Would be interested in doing POE up to the garage, and then from the POE do wifi.

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Doesn't solve your power problem, though.

I went through the same thing you are now: I wanted cameras, but I didn't want to deal with fishing cables all over and I certainly wasn't looking forward to "blind" drilling and crawling around in the attic. I thought about it, agonized over it, for probably a year or more. But, in the end I realized the only way to do it right was to bite the bullet and pull cable. Now that five of the 7-9 cameras I ultimately wish to have are in, I'm glad I did so.

Or this?

https://www.amazon.com/iCreatin-eth...ywords=poe+injector+12v&qid=1580062518&sr=8-5

The first of your Amazon links is for splitting-out PoE into Ethernet and power, to power non-PoE devices from a PoE cable. The second is the reverse: It's a kind of PoE "injector," so you can power a PoE device from a non-PoE cable.

I'm now thoroughly confused and I don't understand what you're trying to do.

All PoE is is Power over Ethernet. Two pair carry data and two pair carry power. There's nothing magical about it.

Is getting PoE cable from elsewhere in the home into the garage your main problem? If so: Then what I'd do is put a wireless Ethernet bridge and small PoE swtich in the garage, then run PoE to the cameras.

Another option might be Powerline Ethernet with PoE ports. Those are not common, though.

More Power! said:

The first of your Amazon links is for splitting-out PoE into Ethernet and power, to power non-PoE devices from a PoE cable. The second is the reverse: It's a kind of PoE "injector," so you can power a PoE device from a non-PoE cable.

I'm now thoroughly confused and I don't understand what you're trying to do.

All PoE is is Power over Ethernet. Two pair carry data and two pair carry power. There's nothing magical about it.

Is getting PoE cable from elsewhere in the home into the garage your main problem? If so: Then what I'd do is put a wireless Ethernet bridge and small PoE swtich in the garage, then run PoE to the cameras.

Another option might be Powerline Ethernet with PoE ports. Those are not common, though.

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Here is a picture of my situation:

Yes. Problem is running POE between different cameras and then into the house. Too difficult, so that's why I'm going with wifi. Good news is my garage has many power outlets that I created myself, and those power outlets are in positions where outside I want to place a camera. But then realized it's not up to code to run power cables through walls. But I still have those outlets in the garage. So I was wondering if I can use an option, like the second link I posted, where I can use those outlets to supply power to a POE cable, to then run this POE cable through the wall, and then once outside the wall convert it to regular power or leave it as POE for the power portion, but still keep the wifi? Wireless ethernet bridge doesn't seem as good as this option if it can be done.

What is your garage wall construction?

huesmann said:

What is your garage wall construction?

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Outside is brick for other sections where I want to place a camera, but in that section it's wood on the outside and some kind of barrier maybe in between. Inside is generally drywall.

Two ideas (not sure if code):

1) install an outdoor outlet real close to the garage outlet and wire it to that outlet. Run your USB power to your camera from there.
2) Install an outdoor ethernet port, and an indoor port on the other side of the wall, run POE plugged into the indoor port.

Have it your way, but ISTM dealing with Rube Goldberg lash-ups is doing it the hard way.

What I'd do is run a single Ethernet cable from my LAN in the house to a PoE switch in the garage, then PoE to each of the cameras. But you say running cables from house to garage is too much effort. Thus the Ethernet bridge.

Those are the simplest, most straight-forward, traditional network design solutions. It has been my experience, after a good many years designing and deploying network solutions, that simpler is better.

More Power! said:

Have it your way, but ISTM dealing with Rube Goldberg lash-ups is doing it the hard way.

What I'd do is run a single Ethernet cable from my LAN in the house to a PoE switch in the garage, then PoE to each of the cameras. But you say running cables from house to garage is too much effort. Thus the Ethernet bridge.

Those are the simplest, most straight-forward, traditional network design solutions. It has been my experience, after a good many years designing and deploying network solutions, that simpler is better.

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Problem with that is the wire management. Still requires wires in the garage, even with the bridge. Otherwise I would go with POE, I'm aware it's the better system.

Sequoia1321 said:

Problem with that is the wire management. Still requires wires in the garage, even with the bridge. Otherwise I would go with POE, I'm aware it's the better system.

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What do you believe you'll need in the way of wire management?

It doesn't have to be fancy. I run bundles through 1/2" conduit clamps on every joist or rafter, and use those little nail-down plastic wire staples for smaller runs. The cables in the attic are just laying up there--though I did go to the effort of routing them so they're less likely to be damaged.

More Power! said:

Sequoia1321 said:

Problem with that is the wire management. Still requires wires in the garage, even with the bridge. Otherwise I would go with POE, I'm aware it's the better system.

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What do you believe you'll need in the way of wire management?

It doesn't have to be fancy. I run bundles through 1/2" conduit clamps on every joist or rafter, and use those little nail-down plastic wire staples for smaller runs. The cables in the attic are just laying up there--though I did go to the effort of routing them so they're less likely to be damaged.

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I don't have attic access in my garage and some parts of my house. Don't know an easy way to run wires even if only in my garage.

Sequoia1321 said:

I don't have attic access in my garage and some parts of my house. Don't know an easy way to run wires even if only in my garage.

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You (or somebody) put in a ceiling w/no access?

Anyway: I'm out of recommendations. Maybe somebody else has a better idea. Good luck.

More Power! said:

Sequoia1321 said:

I don't have attic access in my garage and some parts of my house. Don't know an easy way to run wires even if only in my garage.

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You (or somebody) put in a ceiling w/no access?

Anyway: I'm out of recommendations. Maybe somebody else has a better idea. Good luck.

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It's two floors. 2nd floor has attic space, but the rest doesn't. Thanks for all your help. Might also call a pro, they might have some ways to do it that I can't.