Musing: unused POE pairs for Axis camera control from Elk M1

[BaduFamily]

Hi folks,
 
I haven't been around for a while; started our remodel, pulled miles of Cat6 and a mess of alarm wire and then work took us to Barcelona for a year. ( and it was great, actually )
 
Now that I'm back I am tasked with wrapping up the LV issues. in between terminating data runs I just hooked up a pair of Axis external cameras. While reviewing their installation manuals I noticed that they can be triggered via a set of physical connections ( as well as via software. ) Each camera takes POE for itself, and the in-shipment IR illumination take their own POE line. I've run all this so everything is hunky dory.
 
The IR connections don't have any data overhead, so I'm thinking about using spare pairs in those runs to turn on the cameras when something elsewhere has kicked off an alarm. This will result in some funky at-camera endpoint wiring, yes.
 
Is this a daffy idea?
 
ps: FWIW the Axis POE 8 port switch died w/in 24 hours of burn-in. I have to send that back tomorrow.
 
 

 

[Del91574]

I wouldn't do it. I think you're asking for issues.
 
Which Axis units....I'm not familar with a unit that has 2 category cables run to it....we're an Axis platinum partner (something like 3-5K cameras installed in the last 5 years in state).
 
I know there's units that allow a free pair to power up heaters/IR's etc.....but never seen or heard of a unit as you mentioned, unless it's fresh to market.

 

[BaduFamily]

Units: The PE3346-VE has routing for the corresponding T90C IR illuminator's POE connection.
The Axis folks, in 2 calls spread over 6 months, stated that the IR needed a separate Category feed.
 
On the PE3346's IO connector I am musing about using pin 3, which when brought to ground activates the camera.
Or at least that's how I'm interpreting the manuals.

 

[tmbrown97]

As long as you confirm the pin as unneeded and separate it out at both ends AND you're not passing any voltage of concern, I see no foul.  This isn't a commercial endeavor where it's easy to have a contractor pull another wire and just charge the client - it's a lot harder to add another wire in many residential areas, so as long as you're not getting in the way of the wiring that's needed AND Not overloading the wire or causing interference, I don't see the problem.

 

[Del91574]

Knowing what I know about those Axis cameras, without knowing the camera orientation and location, I'd be worried about sealing the weather from the camera housing if you're going to start splitting out the cabling.
 
Then it's going to be breaking out the cabling behind the camera and before you patch the camera to the field cabling.
 
Curious, wouldn't your cameras be going to an NVR that is constantly recording? If so, wouldn't it be a heck of a lot easier to drive the motion detection, or in the case of a consumer NVR, an input that kicks up the FPS and possibly resolution (varies by NVR) than monkeying at the field devices/cabling?

 

[BaduFamily]

Knowing what I know about those Axis cameras, without knowing the camera orientation and location, I'd be worried about sealing the weather from the camera housing if you're going to start splitting out the cabling.
 
Then it's going to be breaking out the cabling behind the camera and before you patch the camera to the field cabling.

yes, those are the worrysome mechanical points. There isn't a ton of room in there.
 
Hadn't thought of a dedicated NVR. Thanks!