Video intercom systems

[DeBachin]

I have an entrance gate 250m from the building. I would like to have video and audio communication and finger print access control. It would be ideal to use a CAT 5 or 6 cable with an inline repeater. Has anyone rigged such a systems and if so what devices are best to put together. You want a neat robust weather proof console.

Another problem is how to power the repeaters considering that the cable will run outdoors and one doesn't want to 220 v just to power a repeater in the garden. .

 

[bill001g]

Hopefully it isn't really 250m you can only go 100m on a single run and if you really need 250m you would need 2 devices to repeat the signal.

The only thing I have seen that can do this and also solve the power issue is something like a CISCO SLM2008. This switch can be powered either by a PoE injector or another PoE switch. This would get you to 200m if you put it in a waterproof case. It says it also can power a single PoE device itself. That sounds too good to be true in that you could power another device like this from the first. You would think it cannot provide that much power. A single one I know will work cascading 2 ?

 

[jamesmcuk]

CAT 5 and 6 are a standard to which under the right installation conditions the cable will perform too as i understand it? For example a CAT 5 cable will still allow you to connection to a router if you make it 110m long, it doesn't just stop working at 100m. I think that the only issue you will have will be down to the hardware you select to do the intercom. The most obvious being volt drop across the length. I think the best option would be to first select a system and then think about the logistics of implementing it.

 

[DeBachin]

Thanks Bill. I did some research on your answer and I think it could work with a PoE on a CAT5 cable. Subject to the choice of hardware, the Enable-IT 375 injector (rated at 75 Watt) should provide the solution. Their website claims 3500 ft. On that basis you could certainly add in two repeaters with in-line power. As you say encase them into a water tight box. Its worth an expensive try.

Pity optical is not yet viable.

 

[DeBachin]

Thanks J. The problem remains the distance whether its CAT 5 or CAT 6. Neither will on their own provide reliable comms over 200 m. One must bear in mind the the cable must be taken from the intercom into the building and to the control station. Repeaters are necessary. The problem is to provide power to them.

Another solution I read was to use a $10 Rosewill RC-405X 10/100Mbps 5-Port Fast Ethernet Switch. Rip it apart and make a battery case. It's inconvenient but it's another solution. A solar panel charger would be viable though!