How to Size PoE Budget Before Buying a Netgear Switch in 2026

Introduction

Most network problems in surveillance or VoIP deployments come from one issue: underestimating the PoE budget. You power on a new IP camera, and another one randomly drops. Phones reboot during calls. Wi-Fi APs throttle. These failures usually aren’t network loops or firmware bugs — they’re simply a switch running out of PoE wattage.

Sizing the PoE budget correctly is one of the most important decisions before buying a Netgear switch. It ensures stable voltage, prevents device drops, and avoids overheating the switch. This guide breaks down exactly how to calculate PoE needs for IP cameras, VoIP phones, wireless APs, and access control hardware so you buy the right PoE switch the first time.

Why PoE Budget Matters

A PoE switch isn’t just about port count. Each device draws a different amount of power. If your total requirement exceeds the switch’s PoE capacity, you’ll see:

• Cameras randomly going offline

• VoIP phones rebooting during calls

• APs downgrading performance

• Switch ports disabling PoE automatically

Correct sizing eliminates these issues and helps you choose between models like the Netgear GS316PP, GS324PP, GS728TPP, or GC510P — all excellent options when matched properly to your load.

1. Understand PoE vs PoE+ vs PoE++

Before calculating wattage, know what your devices actually support:

Most Netgear SMB switches use PoE+ (30W), which is ideal for surveillance + VoIP setups.

2. Collect Power Requirements for Each Device

Before buying a switch, write down all PoE-powered devices.

Typical wattage needs:

IP Cameras

• Standard fixed camera: 6–8W

• IR night-vision camera: 9–12W

• PTZ camera: 18–30W (PoE+)

VoIP Phones

• Basic SIP phone: 3–7W

• Video phone: 10–16W

Wireless Access Points

• Wi-Fi 5 AP: 10–15W

• Wi-Fi 6 / 6E AP: 18–25W (PoE+)

Access Control & IoT

• Door controller: 7–12W

• Intercom panel: 10–20W

Accurate device power data prevents under-sizing your switch.

3. Calculate Total PoE Load

Add up all device wattages:

Example:

• 12 IP cameras (10W each) → 120W

• 6 VoIP phones (7W each) → 42W

• 2 APs (20W each) → 40W

Total Load = 202W

4. Add a Safety Margin (20–30%)

Cameras turn on IR LEDs at night. APs draw peak wattage when fully loaded. Phones spike during boot.

Formula:
Total Load × 1.3 = Required PoE Budget

Using the example above:
202W × 1.3 ≈ 262W

You should choose a switch with at least 260W PoE capacity.

5. Match Your Needs to the Right Netgear Switch

Here are the most common Netgear PoE ranges:

Choosing based on PoE load prevents both undersizing and overspending.

6. Don't Ignore Uplink Requirements

PoE budget is one side of the equation — uplink bandwidth is the other.

Surveillance-heavy networks should prefer models with:

• 2× SFP uplinks for NVR traffic

• 10G uplinks for multi-AP + camera networks

• Stacking for multi-switch designs

If you expect heavy video streaming, uplink capacity matters as much as PoE wattage.

7. Real-World Examples

Scenario 1: Small Office with 6 Cameras + 4 Phones

• Load: ~90W

• Recommended: GS308PP

• Reason: Silent, compact, budget-friendly

Scenario 2: 20-Camera Warehouse

• Load: ~220W

• Recommended: GS324PP or GS728TPP

• Reason: Strong PoE capacity, managed VLANs

Scenario 3: Wi-Fi 6 Office with APs + VoIP + CCTV

• Load: 260–350W

• Recommended: GC728X

• Reason: 10G uplinks + high PoE efficiency

Final Summary

Sizing the PoE budget is the most important step before choosing a Netgear switch. Add up device wattage, include a 30% safety margin, and match your requirement to a switch with the right PoE output and uplink capacity. Doing this ensures stable cameras, reliable VoIP, and smooth AP performance — without unnecessary cost.

Get the right PoE switch without guessing. DC Supplies helps you size your PoE budget accurately and choose the best Netgear switch for IP cameras, VoIP phones, wireless APs, and access control systems. Whether you’re building a small office network or a full-scale surveillance setup, we provide genuine hardware with expert guidance to match your power requirements, port count, and future expansion plans.