I have a bad Cat6 running to a 2mp ICRealtime camera. O, O/W + Br/W are shorted, probably got hit with a screw. DR Youtube says 802.3AF "Mode A" can send data and power on 4 conductors if the camera is compatible:

I spoke with ICRealtime and they won't commit to the workaround. Has anyone had success running a POE camera on 4 conductors? Especially an ICRealtime?

If this can't work, are there other options?

I learned about 802.3AF "Mode A" a long time ago. And in all my years, I have NEVER seen an IP camera utilize that.

If you can't run a new cable, you are going to need a converter.

This one from Doorbird is awesome and only uses 1 pair. Has an awesome price to boot:
[Link: amazon.com]
If you have a distributor that sells Doorbird, you can get it for a little cheaper.

Over time I think that more conductors will fail. There is an obvious short now, but these two and possibly more conductors have been nicked. Over time, nicked conductors tend to fail.

Is it possible for you to locate the short with a TDR tester? In this case you can test the cable from both ends -- possibly bypassing the compromised section.

Also, measuring from both ends will allow you to really precisely pinpoint the location.

Take measurements from each end. Do some proportion algebra to figure how far the problem really is from the ends. In other word, if you have 100 feet, but the two TDR measurements add up to, say, 120 feet, then you have to multiply the TDR numbers by 100/120 to get the real distances.

I agree that finding the short is the ideal solution. I don't have a TDR, will see about finding one to borrow or rent.

That's pretty close to perfect. If I can't find the short I know I can use this. And my distributor shows it's in stock.

I had a Cat6 that I could not rerun that siding guys knicked that I could not dig out and repair.  I ran the cam (Dahua based) on 2 pairs and its been running for going on 5 or 6 years now.

I would love to know what make/model that camera was. Even if it was a crappy camera, it would be very handy to have a model that could be used in such a situation. Where budget simply would not allow rerunning wiring or $$$ on a converter.

As mentioned, I have never seen an IP camera that didn't use all 4 pair = POE powered; because you can always locally power an IP camera and use 100BaseT (2 pair).

Here is a great device (I consider essential) to have in your tool bag, that will let you know whatever POE device you are working with, what type of POE (and pairs) it is using:
[Link: shop.poetexas.com]

This is just a 10/100 cable. I’ve seen some DSL modems ship with Ethernet cables like this because they are cheaper

We have used the 2n unit for a gate station about 600 feet from the house with this [Link: 2nusa.com]

And just did another gate station today that’s about 3/4 mile down the drive with these from perle [Link: perle.com]

Snaps IP poe cameras will operate on conductors 1,2,3,6 for net and POE. Their NVR POE outputs wont do it, but add an outboard poe and you're good to go.

Doorbird 2 wire poe adapter is also a great option...

best option is to fix the wire, but simply might not be worth the effort.

My experience is underground CAT 5's that have failed conductors end up with additional conductor failures over time... But in wall cats with bad conductors tend to be ok as long as the good conductors aren't exposed to elements that oxidize copper.

I don't see a good description of the layout and positioning of things, so here's a perhaps ignorant question:

Is there power at or near the camera end, so you might use a POE injector out there and then only have to get the video back to the equipment?

Unfortunately I cannot answer that question as I lost some data after a computer crash a few years ago.  My invoicing which was backed up only shows that it was a Gen4 bullet cam with motorized lens.  It's still up and running fine today though.  Probably the only thing Gen4 sold that is still working today in fact.

LOL!
I haven't tested any Dahua based IP cams that I know of, so that's interesting.

Tweety above seem to indicate the Luma cams will. Those are rebadged Hikvision and all the Hikvision I have tested will not do 2 pair POE/ethernet. So I'm not sure what to make of that.
I'm not going to order 1 and test, I've got to stop doing that. In the past I have spent WAY to much money just ordering product to test out and then being stuck with it or losing money. Can't afford to do that anymore, as much as I would like too.

Which 'off topic':
Does it piss anyone else off that you can be a dealer for a product and get no special treatment at all. Then you look on YouTube and some idiot is getting "free" stuff from a manufacture to put up on their channel - including expensive TVs and other things!
It pisses me off. Can't even get the big brands to warranty stuff sometimes and here they give someone who many times doesn't even understand what they are talking about, free merchandise.

Brad, you should do a Youtube channel.

You would keep us entertained with your “pull no punches” reviews.