Security Cameras Without Power Supply: Top Picks & Step-by-Step Guide to Run Power Cables

You can get flexible security cameras without power supply, or even no Internet access here. Skip to Part 1 & Part 2 to pick the best security cameras for your home or business without electricity. If you are a DIY lover and wanna run power cables for your security cameras to monitor your property without power outlets, you can follow the step-by-step guide in the Part 3.

In this article, the important information is as follows:

#1. How to Choose CCTV Security Cameras for Areas Without Power Supply: Top 6 Killer Points

You may find a lot of security cameras stating that they can help you monitor your rural home, farm, barn, field, garage and other areas without electricity.

But wait. Not every camera can truly offer you effective video surveillance and recording.

You can take the below 6-point checklist to get the best home security cameras without power supply, which can secure your property from vandalism, and monitor the areas without electricity.

1. Battery powered

2. Motion detection

3. High definition

4. Night vision

5. Remote access

6. Waterproof

1. Battery Powered Security Cameras — The Only Choice for Your Property Without Power

When you search for security cameras to monitor your properties without electricity, battery powered security cameras are definitely the only solution to "no power" issue.

Battery operated security cameras are either powered by batteries or solar panel.

Let's take Reolink Argus 3 Pro as a typical example.

This camera relies on the rechargeable battery to get the power supply, so you don't need to buy replacement batteries on a daily basis. Just plug the camera into the outlet before it runs out of power.

And you can also connect this camera to the solar panel to get continuous power supply. Thus you won't need to worry that the camera fails to capture important events due to power outage.

Bump: When you use battery operated security cameras for your property without power supply box, battery life would be one of your highest concerns.

You can check this post for useful tips to maximize the battery life of your wire-free battery operated security cameras.

2. Motion Detection Recording — Essential Function in CCTV Security Cameras Without Power Cords

Motion detection notification and recording in your CCTV cameras without power outlets play an important role in 2 aspects:
1. Alert you when there are dangers via app push notifications, email alerts, etc.
2. Provide you the video clips for your later playback to see who and what triggered the alerts.

If there is a break-in, you can keep the images or video clips as evidence.

You can take a look that the below video to see how a battery operated motion security camera works.

Don't forget to buy a security camera with accurate alerts. (I bet you don't want to be wakened up by a flying bug).

Recently I read a review from Eileen Brown, an experienced digital marketing consultant. She reviewed the Reolink Argus 3 Pro.

Eileen gave high praise to this compact security camera, stating that:

"Reolink Argus 3 Pro security camera is a very nice, upgraded addition to the line-up."

You can read the full review here>>

3. High Definition — Indispensable for Security Cameras Without Power Supply

If you need to see who is stealing stuff from your property, like your yard, garden, etc. it is definitely a must to purchase a battery powered security camera with high definition.

There are 3 popular high definition security cameras without power supply in the market: 720p, 1080p and 1440p security cameras. (You can view the differences of 720p, 1080p and 1440p security cameras here.)

Usually, the higher the definition is, the clearer images and videos you will get. For recognizing a person's face and license plate, you'd better go get a battery powered security camera with 1080p high resolution.

4. Security Cameras with Night Vision — Help You Protect Your Properties Without Power at Night

When you look for a wireless security camera no power cord, take night vision into your consideration.

Truly wire-free security cameras with night vision can help you detect burglars and protect your home and business at night.

Statistics show that about 27.7% of burglaries are done at night, and the odds are that these burglars end up being more dangerous.

With a battery powered security camera with night vision, you can check everything inside/outside your home and decide how to act when there is something unusual.

There are 2 main types of night vision technology used in security cameras without power supply: infrared and color night vision.
Infrared security cameras: This type of security camera has built-in infrared (IR) LEDs around the lens, which allow them to capture clear images even in complete darkness (0 Lux) by substituting infrared light into visible light.

You can watch the below video to see the clarity of the infrared security camera Reolink RLC-810A (shared by a customer).

Color night vision security cameras: This type of security camera boasts the most comprehensive ability to make scenes in the darkness visible and vivid.
Color night vision security cameras always come with spotlights that can be activated by motions. With the powerful spotlights on, the camera can capture sharp and full-color images even at night.

Color night vision security cameras can provide more details compared with those infrared security cameras in the same conditions.

You can take a look at the color night vision video captured by the camera Reolink Argus 3 Pro (shared by a customer).

5. Battery Powered Security Cameras with Remote Access— Enable You to View Areas Without Power Anytime

Remote battery powered security cameras can help you view your front gate, bike shed, and other areas no power via your smartphones.

When you need to see what's going on inside and outside your property, you can just turn on your iPhone or Android smartphones to view it.

Even when you are in your office or on vacation, you can still view your family and home whenever you want.

For example, if you are looking for a front gate security camera to monitor your front porch or door without power supply and WiFi, you can buy a 4G IP camera.

Battery powered cellular security cameras operate over 4G network, similar to your smartphones.
In other words, you can get remote access even Internet and power are unavailable.

6. Security Cameras with Waterproof Design — Help You Protect Your Property Without Power Outside

When you need wireless security cameras outdoors to monitor your home and business outside without power, get one with weatherproof rating.

Let's take a look at security cameras with IP65 weatherproof rating.

You can place this type of CCTV cameras in your front gate, porch, allotment, camping sites, parking lots, terrain, secluded nature site, fishing lake, foodtruck, and other outside off grid areas without power supply.

You can check the video below to see how the IP65 battery powered security camera Reolink Argus 3 Pro braves the snow (shared by a customer).

You can check the following 2 security cameras that don't need electricity or wires for your property without power cords.

#2. Security Cameras for Your Property Without Power Supply

Unlike other security cameras force you to bind the security cameras to the third-party devices, such as base station, the below security cameras without electricity can work standalone and offer you both local and cloud video storage (coming soon).

1. Reolink Argus 3 Pro — Wireless Outdoor Security Camera for Your Home & Business Without Power Cords & Cables

This camera functions seamlessly even power outlets are unavailable. The 2K 4MP super HD and color night vision offer you crystal images in both day and night time.

Eileen, the experienced tech reviewer (mentioned above), loved this camera's clarity, stating that:

"Argus 3 Pro has an upgraded 4MP lens with 2560 x 1440px resolutions. This gives greater detail to images, allowing you to zoom in for closer inspection."

You can watch the below video to see the clarity of Reolink Argus 3 Pro (shared by a customer).

2. Reolink Go Plus — Cellular Security Camera for Your Property Without Power Outlets & Internet Access

Reolink Go Plus is an innovative and advanced cellular-monitored security camera that works in areas even without power supply and WiFi connection.

When you need to monitor your RV, remote farm, boat, worksite and other rural areas without power supply and Internet connection, Reolink Go Plus is the best choice, since it operates over a 4G cellular network instead of through a WiFi router.

So you can access the camera to check what's happening to your property without power and Internet.

The setup and installation can be very easy. You can take a look at the below video of Reolink Go Plus.

With the above simple and flexible home security cameras without wires and power supply, you don't need to do any complicated installation to make them work. Just plug and go!

If you prefer to run wires for your security cameras to get power supply. You can follow the below step-by-step guide to install your IP camera cabling.

#3. How to Run Wires for Your Security IP Cameras Without Power Supply: Step-by-Step Guide & Videos

CCTV security cameras power supply typically include 3 types: battery power, Power over Ethernet & plug-in types.

Battery powered security cameras are the easiest security camera type if you want a CCTV camera without power supply and cables.

Power over Ethernet and plug-in security cameras all need practical cables to get power supply.

Here we will show you the detailed guides to run power cables for your PoE and plug-in wireless cameras without electricity.

1. How to Run Cables for Your PoE Security Cameras Without Power Supply

2. How to Install Wires for Your Plug-in Security Cameras Without Electricity

1. PoE Security Cameras Power Supply: Step-by-Step Guide to Run Ethernet Cables

PoE security cameras are almost the easiest wired security camera type, since they only need a Cat 5/6 cable connecting to the router to get both Internet & power supply.

If your router doesn't support PoE, you can add a PoE switch between your camera and the router.
Items you'll need to do the PoE CCTV camera power supply connection:

• A PoE camera
• A router
• An Ethernet cable
• An Ethernet extension cable (if you want to install long-distance cabling)
• Screws to mount the camera

You are gonna need a PoE switch and a power adapter if your router has no PoE ports.

OK, items are ready. Here are the detailed steps to run cables for your security cameras without power supply.

Here we'll take RLC-822A PoE security camera as an example to show you the detailed installation guide.

RLC-822A PoE CCTV Camera Power Supply Connection Diagram

Step 1. Pick a place to install the PoE security camera.
Step 2. Drill a hole to the position where your PoE security camera is installed.
Step 3. Fish the Ethernet cable so that your camera can connect to your router to get stable network connection.

You can add the Ethernet extension cable for long-distance wiring.
Bump: You can take a look at this post to get step-by-step guide on how to run security camera wires.

RLC-520 will be connected to the Internet automatically once plugged into the router.
Step 4. Download and launch Reolink App on your iPhone or Android smartphones.

When your mobile phones and the camera are connected to the same router (in LAN), the camera will be automatically added to Reolink App. You can access the camera via just a click on the app.

Here is a video on YouTube that shows how you can install a Reolink RLC-822A. You can view this for reference.

If you want to run power cables for your 4 channel, 8 channel or 16 channel PoE security camera system, you just need to fish the Ethernet cables to the NVR PoE port from your cameras.

Plug the NVR to the router, and you can access the cameras both locally and remotely. Below is the CCTV security camera system power supply connection diagram.

2. Plug-in Wireless Security Cameras: How to Make Them Get Power Supply

WiFi security cameras are not equal to 100% wire-free cameras. Plug-in wireless security cameras need cables to get power supply.

What accessories you'll need to install plug-in wireless security camera power supply cabling:

• A wireless security camera
• A power adapter
• A network cable (for the initial setup)
• A power extension cable (for long-distance wiring job)
• Screws to mount the camera

Here we'll take RLC-410W wireless security camera as an example to show you how to run cables for wireless home security cameras without power supply.

RLC-410W Wireless Security Camera Power Supply Connection Diagram

Note: The network cable is just for the initial setup. You can remove the network cable after that.
Step 1. Install the camera to the position you want.
Step 2. If your power outlet is inside your home, and you install the camera outdoors, you need to drill a hole to run the power cable between your camera and the outlet.

You can use the power extension cable to extend the power connection distance between the camera and the power outlet.
Step 3. Plug the camera to the power outlet with the 12V power adapter.
Step 4. Plug the camera to the router with the network cable, since a new WiFi camera cannot recognize and automatically pick up the network it never uses.
Step 5. Download and launch Reolink App on your iPhone or Android mobile phones.
Step 6. After the correct WiFi settings, remove the network cable.

Now you are free to access this camera for remote live streaming.

Besides running power cables, you can also try the below steps to use your USB wireless security cameras anywhere without power supply (you don't need to fish cables at all!).
Items you'll need:
• A wireless security camera
• A power bank with multiple USB ports
• A portable cellular router to create WiFi zone for the camera
• Your smartphone
Step 1. Plug the camera into the power bank.

Make sure the output voltage of the power bank is compatible with the camera.
Step 2. Insert the portable GSM router into the power bank.

Typically you can see the indicator LED of the router is on when the router is on working status.
Step 3. Download and launch the security camera viewing app on your mobile phones.

Bingo! You can access the camera to monitor any areas without power supply.

Please note that if you install the camera outdoors, you'll need a waterproof box to protect the power bank, the GSM router, etc. from the weather.

If you have any questions, or any insights on installing PoE and wireless security cameras without power supply or wires, you can leave them in the comment below.

You can also check more details about security cameras without electricity in the Q&A list below.

#4. Security Cameras Without Power Supply — Hottest Questions You May Have

We always try to answer as many questions as possible you may have on security cameras without power supply, so we make a list of top FAQs below.

The questions below are either from our readers (some readers send emails to us), or from forums. You can ask any questions in the comment below, and we will add your questions to this list!

Q 1: Can CCTV security cameras work or function without electricity?

Do CCTV surveillance cameras need power supply? Can wireless camera work without power?
Answer: Yes, security cameras that run on batteries can work even without power supply. The battery powered security cameras will record the motion detection video clips to either the SD card, or an additional hub device (such as the base station).

Q 2: Do CCTV cameras work without Internet?

Do you need Internet for wireless security cameras?
Answer: You can still have security cameras work even without Internet. For example, your security cameras can still record motion videos when there is anything unusual.

If you run a complete security camera system, you can get 24/7 video surveillance for your property without Internet access.

You can check this post to see what your security cameras can do for you with and without Internet.

Q 3: Do all wireless security cameras need power?

Answer: Traditional security cameras need to be plugged into a power source, while wireless security cameras are battery powered, making them completely wireless in every way.

Q 4: Do CCTV security cameras work when power is cut?

Do security systems work when the power is out?

Whenever electricity energy is off, do CCTV cameras work or not?

If the power is off, can CCTV work without any UPS connection?

Do cameras and security systems go out during a power outage?
Answer: The answer is "Yes" and "No". It depends on which type of security cameras you use.

For PoE and traditional wireless security cameras, these cameras will stop working when the power is cut. For battery powered security cameras, these cameras can still perform perfectly when the power is out.

Reolink's tech editor Flora, who are extremely experienced in this field, wrote a post on whether security cameras work when power is cut. You can check this post to get full details.

Q 5: How long do the batteries last in a wireless security camera?

Answer: The battery life of wireless security cameras that run on batteries can last several months. However, the battery life varies greatly based on the settings, environmental conditions and other factors.

For example, Reolink battery powered security cameras, with the power-saving technology, can support up to 6 months in standby mode. A Reolink customer left a review and said, "The battery life is excellent, running on the same batteries for close to 4 months now!"

Some battery powered security camera manufactures claim that the battery life can last 6 months or even 2 years, but sometimes you may find that the batteries run out of power only after a couple of weeks. When you buy battery powered security cameras, remember to check the reviews of other customers.

Q 6: What's the range of a wireless security camera?

What's the battery operated IP security camera wireless range?
Answer: The wireless range of analog wireless security cameras is around 300 feet (in open areas), while digital wireless IP security cameras, including traditional wireless security cameras and battery operated security cameras, have a transmission range of around 450 feet (in open areas).

Please note that the wireless range can be affected by walls, doors, other wireless devices' interference, etc. so the wireless transmission range typically varies.

You can use WiFi range extender to boost the WiFi connection signal between your home router and your wireless security cameras.

Q 7. Can an IP camera save a video without a power supply?

Can CCTV camera cameras record when no electricity and no battery charge?
Answer: If you use battery powered security cameras with SD card, the cameras will keep functioning seamlessly even no available power.

For PoE and plug-in wireless security cameras, the cameras will stop working and recording once power is cut.

If you have UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for the 2 types of security cameras, the cameras can still keep recording and working when the power is cut off suddenly.
Now it's your turn to add your own unique points to this list!