How to Test PoE for IP Camera Using FNIRSI LPM-10A Malaysia
How to Test PoE for IP Camera Using FNIRSI LPM-10A Malaysia
An IP camera is offline.
Does that mean the camera is faulty?
Not necessarily.
Before replacing the camera, technicians should check the complete connection, including the network cable, RJ45 termination, PoE supply and network port.
The FNIRSI LPM-10A Network Cable Tester provides several useful functions for troubleshooting Ethernet and PoE installations.
For CCTV installers and network technicians in Malaysia, this can help reduce unnecessary camera replacement and make fault finding more systematic.
What Is PoE?
PoE means Power over Ethernet.
It allows compatible network equipment to receive both network connectivity and electrical power through an Ethernet connection.
PoE is commonly used with:
IP cameras
Wireless access points
VoIP phones
Access-control equipment
Other compatible network devices
This simplifies installation because a separate power adapter may not be required at every device location.
However, it also means that when a device goes offline, technicians need to consider both network and power-related problems.
IP Camera Offline – What Should You Check?
Suppose an IP camera was working normally yesterday.
Today, the NVR shows:
Camera Offline
There are several possible causes.
The camera itself may have failed.
But the problem could also come from:
PoE switch
Ethernet cable
RJ45 connector
Patch panel
Network switch port
Power supply
Network configuration
Therefore, replacing the camera immediately is not always the best troubleshooting method.
Step 1: Inspect the Physical Connection
Start with a visual inspection.
Check the RJ45 connectors at both ends.
Look for:
Loose connections
Damaged connectors
Corrosion
Broken locking tabs
Poor termination
Damaged Ethernet cable
Water ingress
Crushed or sharply bent cable
For outdoor CCTV systems in Malaysia, moisture exposure should also be considered.
An RJ45 connection may look acceptable externally while having problems inside the connector.
Step 2: Check Whether PoE Is Present
If the camera depends on PoE, determine whether the network connection is providing PoE.
The FNIRSI LPM-10A includes PoE detection capability, which can assist technicians when checking PoE network installations.
This helps answer an important troubleshooting question:
“Is PoE available at this connection?”
If PoE is not detected where it should be present, the investigation can move upstream toward the switch, injector, cable or connection.
Step 3: Check the Network Cable
PoE being present does not automatically prove that the Ethernet cable is completely healthy.
The cable should also be checked.
Use the cable-testing functions to investigate the wiring condition.
Possible cable-related faults include:
Open conductor
Incorrect termination
Damaged pair
Poor RJ45 connection
Abnormal wiring
A network cable carries multiple conductors, so troubleshooting should not stop simply because some form of connection is present.
Step 4: Identify the Correct Cable
Large CCTV installations may contain dozens of Ethernet cables inside the network cabinet.
The next question becomes:
Which cable belongs to this camera?
This is where the cable tracing function of the FNIRSI LPM-10A becomes useful.
Start from the relevant cable or network point and use the tracing function to help identify its corresponding cable at the cabinet.
This is particularly useful when:
Cable labels are missing
Labels are incorrect
Previous contractors changed connections
Many cables are bundled together
Documentation is outdated
Step 5: Find the Correct PoE Switch Port
After identifying the cable, technicians may also need to determine which switch port it is connected to.
The port flashing function can assist in identifying the corresponding network switch port.
This can save time in installations containing 24-port, 48-port or multiple network switches.
Instead of unplugging cables randomly, technicians can investigate the relevant connection more systematically.
Step 6: Compare at the Switch and Camera Ends
A useful troubleshooting method is to compare conditions at different points.
For example:
PoE available at switch side + no expected condition at camera side
This may suggest investigating the cable, connectors or intermediate connections.
If the problem appears already at the source side, investigate the PoE switch, injector or upstream equipment.
The objective is to divide the system into sections.
Instead of asking:
“Why doesn't the camera work?”
ask:
“At which point does the expected connection disappear?”
That makes troubleshooting much easier.
Can a Cable Pass Continuity but Still Cause Problems?
Yes.
A simple continuity result does not necessarily prove that the complete network installation will perform correctly under all operating conditions.
This is one reason professional troubleshooting should consider more than one test result.
Depending on the fault, technicians may need to investigate:
Cable condition
Connector quality
Cable length
PoE condition
Switch port
Network link
Camera configuration
NVR configuration
The FNIRSI LPM-10A is useful because several network troubleshooting functions are available in one instrument.
CCTV Camera Works Near the Switch but Not at Installation Point
This is a useful diagnostic clue.
Suppose you remove the IP camera and connect it using a short known-good cable directly beside the PoE switch.
The camera works.
You reinstall it at the original location.
It goes offline again.
This strongly suggests that technicians should investigate the installed cable path and connections, rather than immediately blaming the camera.
Check:
RJ45 terminations
Intermediate joints
Patch-panel connections
Cable condition
Installed cable length
PoE delivery
This simple comparison can prevent unnecessary equipment replacement.
Why Cable Length Matters for CCTV
IP cameras are sometimes installed far from the network cabinet.
Examples include cameras installed at:
Factory entrances
Warehouses
Car parks
Building perimeters
Guard houses
Loading bays
Remote corridors
Knowing the approximate cable length can provide additional information during troubleshooting.
The LPM-10A cable length measurement function can therefore be useful when assessing an existing Ethernet cable run.
Troubleshooting Multiple Offline Cameras
If one camera is offline, the problem may be local to that camera or cable.
But if several cameras become offline simultaneously, investigate shared equipment first.
For example:
Multiple cameras on one PoE switch suddenly offline
The switch or its power supply deserves attention.
One camera offline while all others remain normal
Start with that individual camera connection, cable and port.
Looking at the fault pattern can save considerable troubleshooting time.
FNIRSI LPM-10A for CCTV Installers
For CCTV work, the value of the FNIRSI LPM-10A is not simply that it can test an RJ45 cable.
Its advantage is the combination of functions that may be required during one service call:
Trace the cable
Check the wiring
Check PoE
Measure cable length
Identify the switch port
Perform additional network checks
This makes it particularly relevant for technicians servicing existing IP CCTV installations.
Don't Replace the Camera Too Quickly
When an IP camera goes offline, replacing it immediately can waste both time and money.
A better troubleshooting sequence is:
Camera → Connector → Cable → PoE → Switch Port → Network Equipment
Test each section and identify where the problem begins.
If the camera works when connected directly with a known-good cable, investigate the installed network infrastructure before ordering a replacement camera.
FNIRSI LPM-10A Network Cable Tester Malaysia
The FNIRSI LPM-10A is suitable for CCTV installers, network contractors, IT technicians, building maintenance teams and field service technicians who need more than basic RJ45 continuity testing.
For FNIRSI LPM-10A enquiries or help selecting a network cable tester, contact MTM Precision Sdn Bhd.
MTM Precision Sdn Bhd
Showroom & Service Centre:
No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,
Pusat Bandar Puchong,
47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel: 03-8080 7172
WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346
Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com
Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
If you are troubleshooting an IP camera or PoE network problem, you may WhatsApp us a photo of the camera connection, network cabinet, PoE switch or RJ45 cable for an initial product recommendation.
Supply and enquiries throughout Malaysia, including Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Perlis, Sabah and Sarawak.
06 Oct 2026
