Network switches join IP cameras, recorders, access points and door intercoms back to the recorder or comms cabinet. We stock the Excel Networking range at our Wolverhampton trade counter and ship nationally: small unmanaged desktop switches, fanless web-smart switches with SFP uplinks, and Layer 2+ and Layer 3 stackable switches for larger sites. Most CCTV installations need a PoE model, so the notes below start there.
Unmanaged, web-smart or fully managed?
- Unmanaged — plug in and go, nothing to configure. Right for a handful of cameras on one recorder: the SMCGS501 5-port Gigabit, the SMCGS801P 8-port Gigabit PoE+, and the GEP-0523 and GEP-0823 Gigabit PoE switches.
- Web-smart — a browser interface for VLANs, per-port PoE control and remote camera reboots. The fanless ECS2100-10P (8 PoE+ ports, 125 W, two SFP slots) suits an office or shop; the ECS2100-28P and GEP-2651 take 24 cameras.
- Layer 2+ and Layer 3 managed — for multi-building sites, fibre rings and stacking: the ECS4210-28P (400 W PoE budget), ECS4100-52P, ECS4510-52P (780 W, 10G SFP+ uplinks) and the ECS4620-28T Layer 3 core switch.
Sizing the PoE budget
Port count tells you how many devices you can plug in; the PoE budget in watts tells you how many you can actually power. Add up the maximum PoE draw printed on each device's datasheet — a fixed IP camera with infrared is usually in the 802.3af (15.4 W) class, while PTZ cameras, cameras with white-light illumination and video door stations often need 802.3at PoE+ (30 W) — then leave headroom for the cameras you will add later. Our PoE switch guide works through the arithmetic. If you need a fixed-price way to start small, the Fast Ethernet FEP-0812 and FEP-0931 are enough for a few cameras; once more than eight high-resolution cameras share one switch, choose Gigabit camera ports and an SFP or Gigabit uplink to the recorder.
Cable runs, distance and the rest of the kit
Ethernet and PoE both stop at 100 m per copper run. Beyond that use a PoE extender, or an SFP module and fibre into one of the switches with SFP slots above. Pair the switch with Cat5e or Cat6 bulk cable, patch leads and a patch panel from the same Excel Networking range, and check the NVR has a spare Gigabit port for the uplink.
Help choosing
Tell us the camera list and the cable route and we will size the switch and PoE budget for you. Trade customers can open a trade account for trade pricing; everyone can call 01902 902251, email sales@zenithsecurityco.co.uk, or collect from Unit 3, Park View Centre, 243 Dudley Road, Wolverhampton WV2 3JU. Browse PoE network switches, web-managed switches or unmanaged switches.
Network Switches
Network switches join IP cameras, recorders, access points and door intercoms back to the recorder or comms cabinet. We stock the Excel Networking range at our Wolverhampton trade counter and ship nationally: small unmanaged desktop switches, fanless web-smart switches with SFP uplinks, and Layer 2+ and Layer 3 stackable switches for larger sites. Most CCTV installations need a PoE model, so the notes below start there.
Unmanaged, web-smart or fully managed?
- Unmanaged — plug in and go, nothing to configure. Right for a handful of cameras on one recorder: the SMCGS501 5-port Gigabit, the SMCGS801P 8-port Gigabit PoE+, and the GEP-0523 and GEP-0823 Gigabit PoE switches.
- Web-smart — a browser interface for VLANs, per-port PoE control and remote camera reboots. The fanless ECS2100-10P (8 PoE+ ports, 125 W, two SFP slots) suits an office or shop; the ECS2100-28P and GEP-2651 take 24 cameras.
- Layer 2+ and Layer 3 managed — for multi-building sites, fibre rings and stacking: the ECS4210-28P (400 W PoE budget), ECS4100-52P, ECS4510-52P (780 W, 10G SFP+ uplinks) and the ECS4620-28T Layer 3 core switch.
Sizing the PoE budget
Port count tells you how many devices you can plug in; the PoE budget in watts tells you how many you can actually power. Add up the maximum PoE draw printed on each device's datasheet — a fixed IP camera with infrared is usually in the 802.3af (15.4 W) class, while PTZ cameras, cameras with white-light illumination and video door stations often need 802.3at PoE+ (30 W) — then leave headroom for the cameras you will add later. Our PoE switch guide works through the arithmetic. If you need a fixed-price way to start small, the Fast Ethernet FEP-0812 and FEP-0931 are enough for a few cameras; once more than eight high-resolution cameras share one switch, choose Gigabit camera ports and an SFP or Gigabit uplink to the recorder.
Cable runs, distance and the rest of the kit
Ethernet and PoE both stop at 100 m per copper run. Beyond that use a PoE extender, or an SFP module and fibre into one of the switches with SFP slots above. Pair the switch with Cat5e or Cat6 bulk cable, patch leads and a patch panel from the same Excel Networking range, and check the NVR has a spare Gigabit port for the uplink.
Help choosing
Tell us the camera list and the cable route and we will size the switch and PoE budget for you. Trade customers can open a trade account for trade pricing; everyone can call 01902 902251, email sales@zenithsecurityco.co.uk, or collect from Unit 3, Park View Centre, 243 Dudley Road, Wolverhampton WV2 3JU. Browse PoE network switches, web-managed switches or unmanaged switches.
