How Much Power (Watts) Does a CCTV Camera Consume?

The power consumption of a standard CCTV camera may range anywhere from 4 to 15 watts, depending on the type, while the power consumption of the DVR device linked to the CCTV camera wattage can range anywhere from 10 to 40 watts. It will cost you around $4 per month to have your CCTV surveillance system on and operational.
If you are interested in learning how much power (watts) a CCTV camera consumes, then the information that is provided below has been compiled just for you and relates to the power consumption of CCTV security camera systems:

Camera ModelCCTV Camera [W]DVR system [W]
TP-Link Tapo C3105.4 Watts10 Watts
Ring Floodlight Cam15 Watts12 Watts
Wyze Cam4 Watts10 Watts
Google Nest Cam IQ13 Watts9 Watts
Vivint Outdoor7 Watts13 Watts
Google Nest Cam IQ13 Watts9 Watts


You are provided with CCTV power consumption specs (a label) for every security camera, allowing you to predict how much electricity it will need accurately. For instance, this ZOSI C301 IP security camera has a power consumption of less than 8W.

Remember that various security cameras come with different characteristics, such as IP cameras with IR night vision and pan-tilt. As a result, the power consumption would be different compared to CCTV and IP cameras that do not have these functions.

PoE cameras, powered by Ethernet rather than batteries, also add a little to the overall power usage. However, these security cameras do not have a high energy footprint compared to other electronic devices such as laptops, televisions, or toasters.

Each Home CCTV camera framework has power utilization determination so you can mindful of how much precisely it will have cost.

You should mindful that some surveillance cameras accompany various highlights, for example, an IP camera or Hikvision ColorVu that have a night vision mindset, so as indicated by this plan power utilization will be different when contrasted with remote CCTV cameras that don’t have highlights like these.

Alongside this, PoE (Power Over Ethernet) cameras can consume a touch of force. Be that as it may, in general, these surveillance cameras are not energy-consuming, assuming we contrasted them and others like PCs, toaster ovens, and TV.

How Many Watts Does CCTV Use?

Cameras used for CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) come in various shapes and sizes and therefore use different amounts of power. So, how much power (watts) does a CCTV camera consume? CCTV camera wattage varies on camera type and settings.

Lower-end cameras tend to use less power than higher-end cameras. For example, a primary box-style camera may use between 5-10 watts, while a high-end dome camera may use up to 30 watts.

In addition to the wattage used by the camera itself, the wattage used by a CCTV system will also depend on the number of cameras used and the type of video recorder used. Video recorders can range from a single-channel digital video recorder (DVR) to a 16-channel network video recorder (NVR). A single-channel DVR typically uses between 30-50 watts, while an NVR may use up to 200 watts. 

It is also essential to consider the CCTV camera wattage used by the other components of a CCTV system, such as the monitor, lighting, and switches. These components can add up to 50-100 watts of power. 

When calculating the total wattage used by a CCTV system, it is essential to consider not just the wattage used by the camera but also the wattage used by the other components of the system. The system’s total wattage can range from as little as 50 watts to over 500 watts, depending on the size and complexity of the system. 

For homeowners looking to install a CCTV system, it is essential to consider the system’s wattage before installation. It will help to ensure that the system does not overload existing electrical circuits and cause a power outage.

The easiest way to calculate your CCTV camera power consumption is to multiply the camera wattage by the hours it was operated every day. Divide that figure by 1000 to get kilowatt per hour (kWh). The equation is:

  • Device (camera) wattage x hours per day = Watt-hours per day (Wh)
  • Device (Camera) daily use (Wh) / 1000 = Camera usage in kWh
  • Camera consumption per day (kWh) x 30 days = Monthly usage (kWh/month).

If you have many cameras, compute each one independently and add them up. CCTV cameras and DVRs should be included in the total. The average is 13 cents per kWh for energy. If you have 3 CCTV cameras and a 24/7 DVR that uses 30 watts, it will cost $4,7 per month.

Power Consumption of CCTV Camera System

The power utilization relied upon the surveillance cameras and on the models of contraptions and furthermore relies upon the particulars of these. On the off chance that you have introduced a dummy CCTV camera and recorded HD quality film for an extensive stretch of time, clearly, it will cost more energy. A few models accompanied other additional elements that consume more power like night vision mode, movement finders, or extra light.

Here, to ascertain the power utilization of a CCTV camera for the home framework, you can basically decide by utilizing the camera wattage and duplicating it with the number of hours that the cameras were utilized each day. Partition that number by 1000 and you will get kilowatt each hour (kWh). More, the equation is the accompanying.

Note! On the off chance that you have different cameras, simply ascertain everyone independently and add them up. The all-out aggregate ought to incorporate every gadget’s Swann CCTV camera and DVR gadget.

The normal utilization of power in the US is around 13 pennies for each kWh. Assuming a CCTV camera consumes 7 watts, and you have 3 of them in your home along with 30 watts DVR that you utilize every minute of every day; it will cost you approx. $4.7 each month.

Does DVR/NVR Use a Lot of Electricity?

Computerized Video Recorder (DVRs) is assessed to consume between 15 watts to 40 watts while a non-DVR HD consumes around 8 – 15 watts. A few models of them, for instance, Hikvision ColorVu 5mp utilize 40 watts and it runs on 100~240VAC, 6.3A. Likewise, these cameras are running the entire week and they are truly significant for the camera framework to work appropriately and that is the reason they consume more energy not too far off.

As we examined before, DVR consumes more power than surveillance cameras. Observing time, sorts of CCTV cameras and their number and encompassing temperature in which they work can be caused to expand the power bill.

That is the reason it’s vital to take a few genuine kinds of estimations to lessen energy utilization, such as taking on the right cameras and surveillance cameras, quality links, and so forth

Computing CCTV Camera Power Consumption

Since it has become so undeniably obvious how much power CCTV surveillance cameras use, we can work out the power utilization of a CCTV framework. To do this, we really want to know three things: the number of cameras in the framework, the normal power utilization of every camera, and the time span that the framework will run.

For instance, suppose you have a CCTV framework with four cameras that utilize a normal of 0.03 watts of force each. On the off chance that you anticipate running the framework for eight hours of the day. Your CCTV framework will use around 0.48 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power each day. This is comparable to about $0.05 worth of power at current costs.

So the writing is on the wall! CCTV cameras don’t utilize a lot of force, and a CCTV framework won’t burn through every last cent as far as power costs. Obviously, on the off chance that you have a huge CCTV framework with many cameras, your power utilization will be higher. Yet, and still, after all that, CCTV is as yet a moderately proficient method for watching out for your property.

What Power Supply Do I Need For CCTV Camera?

The power prerequisites for CCTV cameras differ contingent on the kind of camera you are utilizing. Simple CCTV cameras need a 12-volt power supply, while computerized CCTV cameras commonly utilize a 24-volt power supply. In the event that you don’t know what kind of CCTV camera for your home you have. You can really take a look at the determinations or contact the producer to find out.

When you know the voltage prerequisites for your CCTV camera, you can buy a reasonable power supply. Power supplies for CCTV cameras are accessible at most gadgets stores or online retailers. Make certain to get one that is evaluated for the right voltage and has sufficient amperage to drive your CCTV camera.

How to Reduce Power Consumption of CCTV Cameras?

There are a couple of things you can do to diminish the power utilization of CCTV cameras. One is to utilize energy-effective CCTV cameras. Nowadays, numerous CCTV camera producers offer energy-saving models that utilization less power than conventional CCTV cameras.

One more method for lessening power utilization is to utilize movement-actuated CCTV cameras. These sorts of cameras possibly turn on when they recognize development, which can save you a ton of power contrasted with leaving them on constantly. You can likewise introduce clocks or inhabitance sensors so your CCTV framework possibly turns on when it is required.

At long last, ensure that your CCTV framework is appropriately ventilated. Overheating can make home CCTV cameras utilize more power, so keeping them cool will help you more.

Does CCTV Camera System Work Without Electricity?

No, CCTV cameras won’t work without power. They need a power source to work, so in the event that there is a blackout, your CCTV framework cannot work. For this reason, it’s critical to have a reinforcement power hotspot for your CCTV framework if there should arise an occurrence of a crisis.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to CCTV power consumption

Q. Does a CCTV camera consume more electricity?

The more advanced and sophisticated a CCTV system is, the more electricity it will need. However, a CCTV will not significantly raise your monthly power costs. Therefore you should not hesitate to set one up in your home.

Q. How much electricity does DVR use?

We estimate that a typical HD-DVR uses 11–26 watts of electricity, whereas an HD-Client that does not have a DVR uses 8–15 watts, with a decrease of 10% in power consumption while the device is in sleep mode.

Q. How many watts does a Hikvision camera use?

The precise model of a Hikvision camera determines how much power it consumes, often known as its wattage. In general, the power consumption of Hikvision cameras falls somewhere between 4.5 to 27.5 watts.

Q. How much power does a CP Plus CCTV camera use?

The specific power consumption of a CP Plus CCTV camera is determined by the model and features of the camera in question. On average, most CP Plus CCTV cameras use anywhere from 10 to 50 watts of electricity.

Q. How many GB are 24 hours CCTV?

One CCTV camera that records 1080p at 30 frames per second may capture 24 hours of continuous film using 264 and 64 GB.

Final Thoughts

Anyway, the remote CCTV camera framework introduced into your home consumes a couple of watts of your power bill, however, it’s great to realize the amount it will cost you on a month-to-month premise. That is the reason we’ve attempted much better. This article what the CCTV frameworks comprise and the amount they cost.

Likewise, we discovered that we really want DVR frameworks where the recording will be saved and they certainly consume energy moreover. We trust you’ll find this article accommodating. And get a superior knowledge of spending, and you will actually want to exploit it. Also, you can check out our CCTV camera installation services on our website.

Also Read: Contact Names For Your Ex, Wife, Husband

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