CCTV Networking in Leicester
The network behind your cameras determines whether the system is reliable or not. We supply and install PoE switches, structured cabling, patch panels, and network cabinets built specifically for CCTV. Proper PoE budgets, VLAN isolation to keep cameras off your main network, and cable runs tested and certified before commissioning.
By the Doberman install team · CCTV system designers & installers, Leicester · Last reviewed February 2026
By the Doberman install team
CCTV system designers & installers, Leicester
Last reviewed February 2026
What you get
PoE switch specification
Switch selected for your camera count, power budget, and whether managed or unmanaged suits the installation. Port count includes headroom for future expansion.
Network design and VLAN isolation
CCTV traffic separated from your main network using VLANs on managed switches. Cameras cannot access your business network and vice versa.
Structured cabling and patch panels
Cat5e or Cat6 cable runs terminated to patch panels in a network cabinet. Every run labelled, tested, and certified. No loose cables stuffed behind a desk.
Cable testing and certification
Every cable run tested for continuity, wire map, and signal integrity using a Fluke or equivalent tester. Results documented and provided.
How it works
Design
We map out your camera positions, cable routes, and switch location. PoE budget calculated, port count confirmed, and network isolation planned if you are running cameras alongside business infrastructure.
Install
Switch mounted in a cabinet or on a shelf, patch panel terminated, cable runs pulled and dressed. Every connection made to standard and labelled for future reference.
Test
Every cable run tested and certified. PoE power delivery confirmed on each port. VLAN configuration verified. Cameras brought online and recording confirmed.
What PoE is and why it matters for CCTV
Power over Ethernet - PoE - delivers electrical power and network data over a single Ethernet cable. For CCTV, this means each camera needs just one Cat5e or Cat6 cable run from the switch or NVR. No separate power supply at each camera, no 12V adapters failing in the loft, no mains sockets needed at mounting positions. The switch or PoE NVR supplies the power, and the camera draws what it needs through the same cable that carries the video data.
The standard we work with is IEEE 802.3af (PoE, 15.4W per port) and IEEE 802.3at (PoE+, 30W per port). Most fixed CCTV cameras draw between 7W and 13W, so standard PoE is sufficient. Cameras with heaters, PTZ mechanisms, or high-power IR illuminators may need PoE+. We calculate the total power budget during the design phase to ensure the switch can comfortably power every connected camera without running at its limit.
PoE eliminates a significant category of failure in CCTV systems. Separate power supplies corrode, fail, and get accidentally unplugged. Voltage drop on long 12V DC runs causes cameras to brown out or reboot. PoE runs up to 100 metres on a standard cable with regulated power delivery that the switch monitors per port. It is why every professional CCTV installation uses PoE, and why we do not install Wi-Fi cameras. Our PoE vs Wi-Fi comparison covers the comparison in full detail.
Unmanaged vs managed switches
An unmanaged PoE switch is a plug-and-play device. You connect your cameras, and it supplies power and passes data. No configuration needed, no web interface, no VLANs. For a straightforward home installation where the switch only serves CCTV cameras and connects directly to a PoE NVR, an unmanaged switch is perfectly adequate. It is simpler, cheaper, and there is less to go wrong.
A managed switch adds configuration options that matter for larger or more complex installations. The most important for CCTV is VLAN support - the ability to segment your network so that camera traffic is isolated from your business or home network. This means cameras cannot reach your file servers, printers, or internet connection, and nothing on your main network can access the cameras except through the NVR. Managed switches also support QoS (Quality of Service) to prioritise video traffic, port mirroring for diagnostics, and per-port PoE control to power-cycle a camera remotely if it locks up.
For commercial installations across Leicester - offices, shops, warehouses - we almost always specify a managed switch. The network isolation alone justifies the cost difference. For residential systems with a PoE NVR handling four to eight cameras, an unmanaged switch or the NVR built-in ports are typically sufficient. We recommend based on the actual requirements, not the most expensive option.
PoE budget calculations
Every PoE switch has a total power budget - the maximum wattage it can deliver across all ports simultaneously. An 8-port switch with a 120W PoE budget can power eight cameras drawing up to 15W each. But if you connect cameras that draw more - PTZ units, heated housings - you can exceed the budget and some cameras will not receive power. We calculate the total power draw of your cameras and specify a switch with at least 20% headroom above the requirement.
Port count and PoE budget are separate specifications and both matter. A 16-port switch might only have a 150W PoE budget, which is not enough if you are running 16 cameras at 12W each (192W total). Conversely, a switch with a 250W budget but only 8 ports limits your camera count regardless of power capacity. We match both specifications to the job. For a deeper understanding of how PoE fits into the broader system, see our camera and network specs explained.
PoE power is also affected by cable length. The IEEE standard guarantees delivery over 100 metres of Cat5e or Cat6, but real-world factors like cable quality, ambient temperature, and termination quality can reduce effective range. We use quality cable, terminate to standard, and test power delivery at the camera end - not just at the switch.
Network cabinets, patch panels, and structured cabling
For installations with more than four cameras - and for any commercial installation - we use structured cabling practices. Cable runs from each camera are terminated to a patch panel inside a network cabinet or wall-mounted enclosure. Short patch leads connect from the panel to the PoE switch. Every port is labelled to match the corresponding camera position. This makes the system maintainable: if a camera needs replacing or a cable develops a fault, you can identify and isolate the run in seconds rather than tracing unmarked cables through a loft.
Network cabinets also keep the hardware tidy, ventilated, and secure. The NVR, switch, patch panel, and any network accessories sit together in a single enclosure rather than spread across a shelf or the floor of a cupboard. For commercial sites in Leicester, we mount cabinets in comms rooms, server rooms, or secure cupboards. For residential installations, a small wall-mounted cabinet in the garage, utility room, or loft keeps everything contained and out of sight.
We supply and terminate Cat5e and Cat6 cable depending on the installation requirements. Cat5e supports Gigabit Ethernet over 100 metres and is more than adequate for current CCTV bandwidth requirements. Cat6 offers additional headroom and better shielding, which is worth specifying on new-build installations or commercial sites where the cabling infrastructure is expected to last ten years or more. Every run is tested with a cable tester and the results are documented.
Keeping cameras on a separate network
CCTV cameras are network devices, and like any network device they present a potential attack surface if not properly isolated. Cameras running outdated firmware, cameras with default credentials, or cameras from manufacturers with poor security track records have been exploited in high-profile botnet attacks. The simplest and most effective mitigation is to keep your cameras on a physically or logically separate network from your business systems.
On smaller installations, a PoE NVR with built-in ports effectively creates a separate network by default - cameras plug directly into the NVR and are not routed to your main LAN. On larger installations using a managed switch, we configure VLANs to isolate CCTV traffic. The NVR sits on both the CCTV VLAN and your main network, acting as the bridge. This means you can access footage through the NVR interface or app, but the cameras themselves are invisible to everything else on your network. For more on how we approach system architecture, see our equipment supply and installation.
Pricing
PoE switch costs depend on port count, managed vs unmanaged, and total PoE budget. Structured cabling costs depend on cable run lengths and the number of terminations. We include all networking hardware and cabling in your system quote - there are no separate line items for switches, patch panels, or cable testing.
Why Doberman
PoE budget calculated, not guessed
Total camera power draw calculated and a switch specified with 20% headroom. No cameras dropping offline because the switch cannot deliver enough power.
Network isolation as standard
CCTV traffic separated from your main network using VLANs or dedicated PoE NVR ports. Your cameras do not touch your business systems.
Tested and labelled cabling
Every cable run tested for continuity and signal integrity. Patch panels labelled per camera position. Faults can be identified in seconds, not hours.
Built for maintainability
Structured cabling, patch panels, and network cabinets mean the system can be maintained, expanded, or troubleshot without pulling everything apart.
About Doberman
Doberman is a Leicester-based CCTV installer specialising in hardwired PoE camera systems for homes and businesses. Every installation is carried out by our own team - we do not subcontract any part of the work.
We focus on one thing: wired CCTV that works reliably. No alarm bundles, no smart home add-ons, no maintenance contracts you did not ask for. Clean installations, properly commissioned after dark, and handed over so you know exactly how to use the system.
If you want to understand how we work before getting in touch, our networking and infrastructure guides cover everything from camera placement to system specs to what drives the cost of a CCTV installation in Leicester.
Areas we cover
We supply and install CCTV equipment across Leicester and Leicestershire, including Clarendon Park, Stoneygate, Oadby, Wigston, Braunstone, Hamilton, Thorpe Astley, Glenfield, Groby, Loughborough, Hinckley, Market Harborough, and everywhere in between. If you are not sure whether we cover your area, just ask.
Frequently asked questions
- What is PoE and why does my CCTV system need it?
- PoE delivers power and data over a single Ethernet cable. Each camera needs just one cable instead of separate power and data runs. It eliminates power supply failures, simplifies cabling, and supports runs up to 100 metres. Every professional CCTV system uses PoE for reliability.
- Do I need a managed or unmanaged PoE switch?
- For a straightforward home system with four to eight cameras, unmanaged is usually sufficient. For commercial installations where cameras share a network with business equipment, a managed switch with VLAN support is worth the extra cost for network isolation and per-port control.
- What is a VLAN and why does it matter?
- A VLAN is a Virtual Local Area Network - it logically separates devices on the same physical switch into isolated groups. For CCTV, this means your cameras are on a separate network from your computers, printers, and internet traffic. It is a basic security measure that prevents cameras from being accessed by other devices.
- How far can I run a PoE cable?
- The IEEE standard supports PoE over 100 metres of Cat5e or Cat6 cable. Beyond that distance, you need a PoE extender or a second switch closer to the camera. We factor cable distances into the design and test power delivery at the camera end to confirm it is within specification.
- Do you install the cabling as well as the switch?
- Yes. We supply and install the full network infrastructure - cables, switch, patch panel, cabinet, and terminations. Every cable run is tested and labelled. We do not hand off cabling to a third party or leave that part of the job to someone else.
- Can I use my existing network switch for CCTV?
- If it supports PoE and has enough spare ports and power budget, potentially yes. We assess your existing switch during the survey. In most cases, a dedicated CCTV switch is preferable for reliability and network isolation, but we will not recommend replacing hardware that is already fit for purpose.