Subscriber Discussion

Power Consumtion Per Camera

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Feb 22, 2017

I am doing an install for a customer and they are asking how much power per day each camera will use. I have come up with the following: Fixed 1080P 24 VAC/15.8 volt amps= .38 KwH/Day, LPR camera 24 VAC/15 Watts=.36 KwH/Day

Do those calculations make sense?

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Brian Rhodes
Feb 26, 2017
IPVMU Certified

KwH is wattage * hours.  Also assuming that VA = W neglects variables like power factor (PF), but in this case is probably okay. (PF = ~1)

The LPR cam calc is right, but only because there are 24 hours in a day, the 24 VAC is not used.

If the camera uses 15 watts * 24 hours per day, it equals 360watt/hours, or .36 KwH (not KwH/day)

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U
Undisclosed #2
Feb 26, 2017
IPVMU Certified

What is the source of the 15.8VA and the 15W spec?

Is it from the documentation of the camera or the power supply, or from a measurement made?

If the number is from the camera documentation, then you must account for

  1. Power Factor (As Brian mentioned)
  2. Efficiency of the power supply 
  3. Power loss due to cable

also, the number is likely the peak power the camera might draw, which could be substantially more than actual.

If the number is from the power supply documentation, its likely overstated, since it will only list the max draw of the power supply.

Best bet is direct measurement, if you really need to be accurate is to get a Kill-o-Watt or something like it.  Let it run for a day and it does all the math for you in a real use case and accounting for all variables.

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JH
Jay Hobdy
Feb 26, 2017
IPVMU Certified

The few times I have done the calculation was on IR and motorized zoom cameras. When the manufacturer says 15 watts that is usually the max draw as if the camera was running IR and the motor.

 

I think using a device like the Kill A Watt would be the best method.

 

How many cameras is this? I can pretty much guarantee the customer will never notice this in their electric bill

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