A PoE switch is one of the easiest pieces of equipment to buy incorrectly: paying too much wastes money, while choosing the wrong one may prevent your cameras from starting up at all. This article lays out the actual figures for the two models available in the store and explains clearly “when you actually do not need one.” Prices are read in real time.
I. Comparison of the two: official figures
| Item | RLA-PS1E (5-port) | RLA-PS1 (8-port 120W) |
|---|---|---|
| PoE ports | 4 GbE Gigabit | 8 PoE+ 10/100Mbps |
| Uplink ports | 1 GbE | 2 GbE |
| Total power output | 65W（52V 1.25A） | 120W Automatic allocation |
| Per-port maximum | 30W | 30W |
| Standard | IEEE 802.3af/at | IEEE 802.3af/at |
| Surge protection | Not listed in the official summary | 4KV surge protection |
| Management | Unmanaged | Unmanaged |
| Dimensions / weight | 125.5 × 76.8 × 25.5mm／234g | Not listed in the official summary |
| Price | HK$399 | HK$599 |
Is this difference important in practice? Not for cameras—a single 4K main stream is about 8Mbps, and even 8 cameras uploading simultaneously use only about 64Mbps. 100Mbps is just enough, but close to the limit. However, if you plan to use the PoE ports as regular computer network ports, the PS1 is not suitable.
II. 65W vs 120W: Calculate your total power consumption first
The total power budget of the PoE switch isshared by all portsthe budget shared by all ports, not independent per port. This is the most commonly misunderstood point: “4 ports × 30W ＝ 120W” is incorrect; PS1E has only 65W in total.
| Camera type | Typical power consumption | Total for 4 cameras | Total for 8 cameras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed-lens 2K／4K (no PTZ) | 6–8W | 24–32W | 48–64W |
| With infrared＋fill light | 8–12W | 32–48W | 64–96W |
| With PTZ | 10–14W | 40–56W | 80–112W |
| Large PTZ＋fill light | 18–20W | 72–80W | Exceeds 65W |
Budget comparison of the two models:
| Scenario | Total power consumption | PS1E（65W） | PS1（120W） |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 fixed 2K cameras | Approximately 28W | ✔ 37W remaining | ✔ |
| 4 fixed 4K cameras | Approximately 40W | ✔ 25W remaining | ✔ |
| 4 PTZ cameras | Approximately 52W | ✔ 13W remaining（tight） | ✔ |
| 4 large PTZ cameras | Approximately 76W | ✘ Over budget | ✔ |
| 8 fixed 4K cameras | Approximately 80W | ✘ Can only connect 6 cameras | ✔ 40W remaining |
| 8 cameras with PTZ | Approx. 100W | ✘ | ✔ 20W remaining |
III. When You Don’t Need a Switch at All
This is the most cost-saving section of the entire article. Most NVRs in our store come with PoE ports, which directly power the cameras, so no switch is needed:
| Model | Built-in PoE ports | Switch required? |
|---|---|---|
| NVS4-NHD (4 channels) | 4 × 25W | Not required(up to 4 cameras) |
| NVS4E-NHD (4 channels) | 4 × 25W | Not required |
| NVS8-NHD (8 channels) | 8 × 25W | Not required(up to 8 cameras) |
| NVS16-NHD／NVS16 4TB | 16 × 25W | Not required |
| NVS36 / RLN36 (36 channels) | None (4 × GbE) | Required |
| NVS12W (12-channel Wi-Fi) | None | Required for PoE models; not required for Wi-Fi models |
| EZVIZ X5S (8-channel wireless) | None | Required for PoE models; not required for Wi-Fi models |
In other words:If you buy NVS4／NVS8／NVS16, a switch is unnecessary.Only NVS36, NVS12W, and X5S do not provide PoE power and therefore require a switch—and NVS36 is the one that needs it most, because it has 36 channels but no power supply at all. The official description itself states that it is designed to “be used with a switch.”
IV. Complete Setups for Four Different Scales
| Number of cameras | Recommended setup | Power source | Total equipment cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 cameras | NVS4-NHD ＋ hard drive | NVS4 comes with 4 PoE ports | HK$830 ＋ hard drive |
| 3–4 cameras | NVS4-NHD ＋ hard drive | Same as above | HK$830 ＋ hard drive |
| 5–8 cameras | NVS8-NHD ＋ hard drive | NVS8 comes with 8 PoE ports | HK$1,178 ＋ hard drive |
| 17 cameras or more | NVS36 ＋ PS1（120W） ＋ hard drive | PS1 provides power; NVS36 only records | HK$1,899 ＋ HK$599 ＋ hard drive |
The last line deserves further explanation: NVS36's 4 GbE ports only receive data and do not provide power, so all 36 cameras must rely on a switch. PS1 is sufficient for up to 8 cameras; beyond 8 cameras, you will need two PS1 units (daisy-chaining is not recommended) or switch to a higher-end power supply solution.
Five. Dual uplinks and 4KV surge protection: two practical uses
Dual uplinks (PS1 has 2 gigabit ports)The practical use is that you can connect the NVR and office network simultaneously, without having to set up a separate network for the cameras. For small shops or village houses, this means you do not need to buy an additional router.
4KV surge protectionOnly PS1 is rated for this. In outdoor cabling scenarios, this is not merely a decorative specification: when cameras are installed on an exterior wall and network cables run outdoors, induced lightning or power surges may travel through the network cables into the switch, and then into the NVR. The official PS1E summary does not list this feature.
Six. Five installation tips
- The uplink port must be connected to a router or main switch.If you only connect the cameras without connecting the uplink, the App will not find the device—this is the most common “no picture after installation” problem.
- Do not daisy-chain two switches to expand the system.Daisy-chaining makes both the power supply and network topology more complicated, making it difficult to determine which section is at fault when a problem occurs. If you need to add more ports, replace it with a switch that has more ports.
- It heats up when fully loaded.When all 8 ports are occupied, the device temperature rises noticeably. Do not stack it with the NVR; place it in a well-ventilated location.
- Unmanaged＝no VLAN.Your cameras, computer, and NAS will be on the same subnet. This is not a major issue at home, but if there are other sensitive devices in the shop, it is an important security detail to be aware of.
- The maximum length of a single network cable run is 100 metres.For PoE power delivery, it is recommended not to exceed 80 metres; otherwise, voltage drop may cause the cameras to restart repeatedly. Outdoors, use outdoor-rated network cables or run them through conduit.
Seven. Frequently asked questions
How do you choose between 5-port 65W and 8-port 120W?
Choose based on the number of cameras and their power consumption. For 1–4 non-large PTZ cameras, choose PS1E; for 5 or more cameras, or more than 2 cameras with a pan-tilt mechanism / fill light, choose PS1（120W）.
How many cameras can 65W power?
It is more than sufficient for 4 fixed cameras (approximately 28–40W); 4 cameras with pan-tilt mechanisms use approximately 52W, leaving 13W, which is rather tight; 4 large PTZ cameras use approximately 76W, exceeding the limit.
Why do the PoE ports on the 8-port model only support 100Mbps?
Cameras do not need gigabit speeds—8 4K cameras uploading simultaneously use approximately 64Mbps. 100Mbps is sufficient and costs less. However, do not use it as a computer network port.
Do I still need a switch after buying NVS4?
No. The NVS4 comes with 4 built-in PoE ports (25W per port), providing power directly to 4 cameras.
Does the NVS36 require a switch?
Yes. The NVS36 only has 4 GbE data ports and does not provide power at all. Without a switch, the cameras will not start up.
Can it connect to non-Reolink cameras?
Yes. PoE follows the IEEE 802.3af/at standard, so any camera that supports the same standard can be powered. This is separate from the NVR's cross-brand compatibility.
What happens during a power outage?
Everything stops. To keep the system running, you need to add a UPS, and both the switch and NVR must be connected to the UPS.
Can two units be connected in a daisy chain?
Technically, yes, but it is not recommended. Power delivery and the topology become more complex at the same time, making faults harder to troubleshoot. If you need to expand, switch to a model with more ports.
VIII. Further Reading
- How to Choose from the 13 NVRs in Our Store——Which models have built-in PoE and which do not
- EZVIZ H8C + RLA-PS1E Hands-On Test——The real-world connection method and actual 12W power consumption of a single camera
- How to Choose PoE Power and an NVR——Three formulas for power budget, bandwidth, and hard drives
- When to Upgrade from a Capture Card to an NVR——The cost break-even point