Troubleshooting POE camera?

davej

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Apr 25, 2014
Messages
279
Reaction score
69
I'm curious if there is an established method for troubleshooting a camera that has suffered connector water exposure? What I am thinking of is a breakout box that would allow me to monitor POE voltage and current? Is that practical?
 

TonyR

IPCT Contributor
Joined
Jul 15, 2014
Messages
16,443
Reaction score
38,162
Location
Alabama
IMO, only if reaching the cam-in-question is VERY difficult to get to.

If not, I'd leave the cam mounted and try cleaning the cam end of the RJ-45 female in the pigtail as best as I could, dab some dielectric grease in it and substitute a really long patch cable from the cam to your POE switch/NVR to see if it'll come up...then take it from there.

Taking the cam down is best for safety and thoroughness...I know I tend to be rushed when I'm teetering, hanging on one-handed plus swatting flies, bees and wasps.
 

garycrist

Known around here
Joined
Sep 25, 2021
Messages
2,274
Reaction score
6,695
Location
Texas
A modified pencil eraser, will help "clean the internal connectors,,, sometimes.
 

sebastiantombs

Known around here
Joined
Dec 28, 2019
Messages
11,511
Reaction score
27,690
Location
New Jersey
Try some stuff called DeOxIt on the RJ45 connector. If it's just corrosion on the pins of the RJ that should work. If the corrosion has crept into the RJ and gotten to the wires you'll need to re-terminate with a new RJ to repair it.

Once you get it going again, protect that connection properly. Use the dielectric grease as TonyR says, wrap with self amalgamating tape like CoaxSeal around the cable gland and onto the cable at both ends. Wrap that with quality electrical tape like 3M 33+ or 88 also extending onto the cable and past the self amalgamating tape. Even condensation caused by temperature changes can cause corrosion and an RJ45 was never designed for use in potentially corrosion prone locations.
 

Griswalduk

Known around here
Joined
Mar 30, 2021
Messages
1,088
Reaction score
2,043
Location
Uk

davej

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Apr 25, 2014
Messages
279
Reaction score
69
Oh, sorry for not being clear. Yes the connector got wet and fried, so I replaced the connector but when I tried it briefly the camera still seems to be non-functional. I'd like to know that I am not going to fry my POE switch with further testing. Is there perhaps a way to current limit POE power?
 
Top