Security

Massachusetts DIYer Builds PoE-Powered Driveway Gate

Krishn patel

04 Jan 2026 — 2 min read

PoE Security Gate

Key takeaways:
A Massachusetts DIYer built a PoE-powered 16 ft driveway gate with four cameras and a 24V strobe to deter turnarounds.
The system uses Power over Ethernet (PoE) and a Ubiquiti AI turret with license-plate recognition for monitoring.
To avoid $27,000 of trenching, the builder ran sprinkler pipe as low-cost conduit over 1,000 ft for about $1,500.
Heavy concrete footings (2,400 lb) and multiple cameras give the installation a military-style presence.

How the PoE-powered gate was built

The project — documented by YouTuber Silver Cymbal Workshop — resulted in a 16-foot gate powered and monitored entirely over PoE. That includes gate control hardware, four cameras, a wireless access point and accessories running on low-voltage Ethernet cabling.

Work began with site prep: a post hole, gravel for drainage and roughly 2,400 lb of concrete to anchor the gate. The finished installation pairs physical deterrence with visible electronics: cameras plus a red 24V strobe make it clear the entrance is monitored.

Why PoE and Ubiquiti AI

Power over Ethernet was chosen as a dependable, low-voltage alternative to solar and long runs of high-voltage wiring. PoE simplifies monitoring and future expansion because power and network run on the same cable.

For analytics, the builder installed a Ubiquiti AI turret configured for license-plate recognition (LPR). Combined with two gate-facing cameras and two additional cameras, the system provides layered surveillance and automated detection.

Practical deterrent

The owner summed up the objective bluntly: the gate is a clear signal — “Don’t come any further without permission.” In a remote property where strangers occasionally show up, a visible, monitored barrier reduces unwanted visits and improves personal security.

Smart cost-saving and installation tricks

A key challenge was distance: the gate sits about 1,000 ft from the workshop. Conventional buried conduit would have cost an estimated $27,000. Instead, the DIYer ran off-the-shelf sprinkler pipe and adapted it with compression fittings to serve as conduit — a roughly $1,500 solution.

This workaround lowered installation costs while still protecting cabling for PoE over a long run. The result is a resilient, extendable networked gate without the heavy expense of trenching.

What this means for DIY security projects

The build shows how modern networked hardware (PoE switches, Ubiquiti AI, IP cameras) can be combined with practical construction to deliver professional-level security on a budget. For homeowners considering similar projects, the key lessons are strong footings, visible deterrents, and clever conduit solutions when distance and cost are constraints.

To see the build in action, Silver Cymbal Workshop’s full video documents the step-by-step installation and the final system in operation.

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