What does it take to wire a house for security cameras?
Each wired camera needs one Ethernet cable back to a PoE switch or a recorder with PoE ports, and that one cable carries both power and video. You also need a recorder with a drive, kept indoors, and outdoor rated cable where runs are exposed.
Most of the work is planning: the views you want, the mounting spots, the cable paths and a PoE budget that covers every camera.
Last checked
01 / THE BREAKDOWN
The parts
- A UniFi Protect system needs a UniFi console that runs Protect, Protect cameras, and PoE switches to power the cameras. [1]
- Wired cameras require PoE, from a UniFi PoE adapter or a UniFi PoE switch. A storage drive is only required to save recordings. [5]
- Some recorders have PoE built in. The UNVR Instant has six GbE PoE ports with a 40 W PoE budget and one 3.5 inch drive bay. [3]
One cable per camera
- A G6 Bullet has a single RJ45 port, and PoE is its power method, so one Ethernet run is all it needs. [2]
- Ubiquiti's outdoor cable is Category 5e with solid bare copper conductors, rated for outdoor use and UV exposure. [4]
Power budget
- Add up the maximum power of every camera and keep it under the PoE budget. A G6 Bullet draws up to 9.9 W, so four of them total 39.6 W, just under the UNVR Instant's 40 W budget. [2][3]
Heat and placement in LA
- The G6 Bullet is rated IP66 and for -20 to 50 C (-4 to 122 F) ambient, which covers a sunny wall in the valleys. [2]
- The UNVR Instant is rated for 0 to 40 C (32 to 104 F), so it belongs inside the house, not in a hot garage or attic. [3]
Common follow-ups
Not with PoE cameras. Wired UniFi cameras take power and data over one Ethernet cable from a PoE switch or adapter.
Check the PoE budget. The UNVR Instant has a 40 W budget across six PoE ports, and a G6 Bullet draws up to 9.9 W.
Sources
- Ubiquiti Help Center: Getting Started with UniFi Protect checked Oct 20, 2026
- UniFi G6 Bullet tech specs checked Oct 20, 2026
- UniFi Network Video Recorder Instant tech specs checked Oct 20, 2026
- UniFi Outdoor Cable tech specs checked Oct 20, 2026
- UniFi Physical Security checked Oct 20, 2026
Written by Gbit Tech, a UniFi Certified Partner in Los Angeles. Every fact on this page links to the manufacturer's own page and is rechecked on a schedule.
See what your property needs
Sketch your property on an aerial view and get a ballpark for equipment and installation. Free, no account, about two minutes.
More answers
- UniFi vs Ring: which is better for a Los Angeles home?
- Do UniFi cameras need a monthly subscription?
- Local recording vs cloud recording: which is better for home cameras?
Curious what one camera would cover? Try the camera view: drop a UniFi camera on your property and compare day and night.