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Can I use a longer power cable without losing voltage?

  • Writer: Administrator A
    Administrator A
  • Jan 19
  • 3 min read

Can I Use a Longer Power Cable Without Losing Voltage?

The short answer is no. In the world of electrical engineering, every foot of wire adds resistance to the circuit.1 This resistance causes Voltage Drop, meaning that the 12V leaving your power adapter might only be 10V or 9V by the time it reaches your camera.2

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However, you can use a longer cable if you account for this drop by choosing the correct wire thickness (gauge).

Understanding Voltage Drop

Voltage drop is essentially "friction" for electricity. As current flows through a wire, some of that energy is lost as heat.3 The longer and thinner the wire, the more voltage you lose.4

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For security cameras, voltage drop is a major issue because most cameras require at least 11V to 11.5V to function correctly. If your cable is too long, your camera might work during the day but "flicker" or shut down at night when the power-hungry infrared LEDs turn on.

How to Minimize Loss: The Three Best Methods

1. Increase the Wire Gauge (Thickness)

Wire thickness is measured in AWG (American Wire Gauge).5 Paradoxically, a lower number means a thicker wire.


  • 22 AWG: Standard for short runs (under 50ft).

  • 18 AWG: Professional grade; great for runs up to 100–150ft.

  • 16 or 14 AWG: Heavy-duty; used for very long distances.

    Rule of thumb: If you are doubling the distance of your cable, you should move to a thicker wire gauge to maintain the same voltage.

2. Use a Multi-Voltage Power Supply

Many professional CCTV power boxes allow you to adjust the output voltage slightly.

  • By setting the output to 13V or 13.8V at the source, you can account for the 1V or 2V that will be "lost" during the trip down a long cable, ensuring exactly 12V arrives at the camera.

3. Move the AC Source Closer

Instead of running a 200ft low-voltage DC cable, run a standard 120V AC extension or permanent line to a spot closer to the camera. Then, plug your 12V adapter into that outlet. High-voltage AC travels long distances with much less percentage loss than low-voltage DC.6


Recommended Maximum Distances for 12V DC

Assumes a standard 1.0 Amp camera draw:

Wire Gauge (AWG)

Max Distance for 12V (approx.)

24 AWG (Thin/Cheap)

25 - 30 Feet

22 AWG (Standard)

40 - 50 Feet

18 AWG (Professional)

100 - 125 Feet

16 AWG (Heavy Duty)

150 - 200 Feet

Why "CCA" Cables are a Problem

When buying longer cables, beware of CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum). These are aluminum wires with a thin coating of copper. Aluminum has much higher resistance than Pure Copper. If you use a 100ft CCA cable, your voltage drop will be significantly worse than if you used a 100ft Pure Copper cable.

Professional Power Engineering in Cleveland

Running long-distance power for high-definition or PTZ cameras requires precise calculations. If your cameras are cutting out or showing "rolling lines" on the screen, your cables are likely the culprit.

Cleveland Security Cameras can help you diagnose voltage drop issues and install the correct power distribution systems—including Power over Ethernet (PoE), which is much more efficient for long-distance runs (up to 328ft).

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