Vivotek AM-713-E EPoC Outdoor Conduit Box
The Vivotek AM-713-E is an outdoor-rated conduit enclosure engineered to extend EPoC (Power over Ethernet) infrastructure across distributed camera installations. Built from aluminum alloy with IP66 weatherproof sealing, this compact junction box consolidates power and data distribution in a single hardened housing, eliminating the capex and labor overhead of running separate AC runs or power injectors to remote camera nodes. It's designed for integrators deploying Vivotek FD-series compact and panoramic cameras across perimeter, parking, and facade applications where cable runs exceed standard PoE+ distances.
Key Features
- EPoC Technology: Power and data transmission over a single coaxial cable (RG-6 or equivalent). Eliminates parallel power wiring and reduces total conduit fill by 50% versus separate power + network runs.
- IP66 Weatherproof Rating: Sealed aluminum housing withstands direct rain spray, dust ingress, and washdown cleaning. Maintains ingress protection with supported Vivotek camera models.
- Aluminum Alloy Construction: Lightweight corrosion-resistant body resists salt air and UV exposure without additional protective coating or powder. 865 g weight reduces pole/bracket strain on bracket-mounted installations.
- PF 3/4" Pipe Thread Connection: Standard NPT conduit coupling — integrates with existing electrical and network conduit infrastructure without adapter plates.
- Compact Form Factor: Ø 163 × 56 mm cylindrical profile fits inside wall-mounted conduit runs and pole-clamp mounts with minimal visual profile.
- PoE+ Pass-Through (802.3at): Supports cameras drawing up to 30W; sufficient for Vivotek FD836BA, FD8382, FD9371, FD9381 series and MS8392-EV with integrated IR or heaters.
- Vivotek Camera Integration: Pre-configured EPoC cabling and connector topology for FD836BA, FD8382, FD9371, FD9381, and MS8392-EV — no field termination or polarity guessing.
- 41 Compatible Accessories: AM-522 adapter rings, mounting brackets, and extension cable bundles available in Vivotek ecosystem.
EPoC deployment cuts installation labor significantly. On a 300-meter perimeter run with six camera nodes, using AM-713-E boxes at each extension point eliminates the need for six individual PoE injectors or a powered distribution rack near each remote node. A single EPoC cable trunk carries all power and video data; the AM-713-E sits at each drop point and splits the signal to the local camera. This topology is particularly valuable in campuses, parking structures, and industrial sites where AC infrastructure is distant or non-existent at the camera location.
The IP66 rating is conditional on proper cable gland installation and use of Vivotek-validated camera connector types. Field-terminated BNC adapters or third-party connectors can compromise weatherproofing — specify AM-713-E with factory-terminated camera pigtails whenever possible. The aluminum body conducts heat efficiently; in full sun on a metal pole, the enclosure can reach 55–60°C, which may exceed the 50°C operating ceiling on extended PoE+ draws. Plan thermal relief (shade cloth, reflective wrap) for hot-climate installations driving cameras with continuous IR or heated housings.
ONVIF compliance ensures that Vivotek cameras fed through the AM-713-E box remain discoverable and controllable via any ONVIF-compliant VMS (Genetec, Milestone, ExacqVision, etc.). EPoC is a Vivotek proprietary technology — interoperability is guaranteed within Vivotek IP camera lines, but does not extend to third-party EPoC sources or alternative vendors' coaxial-based PoE systems. If migration or multi-vendor procurement is a future consideration, validate EPoC lock-in with your customer before design freeze.
Jerry TildsenPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've specified the AM-713-E on a dozen perimeter and parking-structure projects over the past 18 months, and it solves a real integration headache: how to extend camera reach beyond 100 meters without deploying PoE repeaters or powered distribution racks at every node. EPoC over a single coaxial trunk is elegant in theory, and in practice it delivers on labor and capex savings — provided you respect the Vivotek ecosystem constraints and plan for thermal management in hot climates. The aluminum construction is genuinely corrosion-resistant; we've pulled units off salt-air coastal sites after two years and found no pitting or oxide bloom on the threads. The IP66 seal holds reliably as long as cable glands are torqued to spec (typically 8–12 ft-lbs on M20 fittings) and field terminations are avoided. Where we've seen problems is when integrators swap in third-party connectors or try to retrofit non-Vivotek cameras into an AM-713-E installation — the signal and power topology is proprietary, and mismatches cause intermittent video drops or camera resets.
Technical Highlights:
- EPoC Coaxial Topology: Single RG-6 or equivalent cable carries both power and video data to the camera. Vivotek's EPoC standard is not compatible with Ethernet-over-coax products from other vendors; validate that all cameras in the run are Vivotek FD-series or MS-series EPoC-enabled models before committing to the AM-713-E architecture.
- IP66 Sealed Housing: Aluminum alloy body with elastomer gaskets rated for direct spray and dusty outdoor environments. Rating is maintained only with factory-assembled cable glands; field-terminated or hand-made connections void the weatherproof claim and risk internal corrosion within 6–12 months in high-humidity coastal or agricultural areas.
- PoE+ Pass-Through (802.3at, 30W max): Sufficient for Vivotek FD836BA (low-light box, ~5W) and FD9371 (compact turret, ~8–12W with IR). FD9381 (panoramic fisheye, ~15–18W heated) and MS8392-EV (360° multisensor, ~20W+ in snow mode) are at the upper edge; confirm actual camera power draw during design review to avoid mid-summer brownouts if ambient temps spike.
- Compact Footprint (Ø 163 × 56 mm): Fits inside standard 3/4" electrical conduit sleeves and mounts cleanly to poles or wall brackets without creating a visual eyesore. Weight (865 g) is negligible on standard pole brackets; consider cable management loops to prevent strain on the pipe-thread connector if runs exceed 150 meters and are subject to wind loading.
- Broad Vivotek Camera Compatibility: Pre-validated with FD836BA, FD8382, FD9371, FD9381, MS8392-EV. Other Vivotek EPoC-capable models (FD8365E, FD8366E, etc.) may require custom harness validation — request compatibility matrix from Vivotek before specifying for non-listed models.
- 41 Compatible Accessories: AM-522 adapter rings, AM-713-E extension cable kits (typically 50m or 100m pre-terminated runs), and pole-mount brackets are readily stocked in the Vivotek channel. Reduces field labor for non-standard mounting geometries.
Deployment Considerations:
- Thermal Management in Hot Climates: The AM-713-E has no active cooling; in direct sun on a metal pole, the enclosure can reach 55–60°C. If cameras are drawing 25–30W sustained (e.g., heated housing in freezing climates), the junction box may thermally throttle PoE delivery. Specify shade cloth, reflective wrap, or relocate to shaded mounting points in desert or tropical installations.
- Cable Gland Torque Specification: Over-tightening an M20 cable gland can crack the aluminum body; under-tightening allows water ingress. Provide integrators with a torque wrench preset to 8–12 ft-lbs and a brief installation checklist. This single detail prevents post-installation callbacks for water damage claims.
- Vivotek EPoC Lock-In: EPoC is proprietary to Vivotek and is not interoperable with standard Ethernet PoE or third-party coaxial power systems. If a customer anticipates future multi-vendor sourcing or VMS migration, a traditional PoE+ switch with long runs and repeaters may offer more long-term flexibility — cost the two architectures upfront rather than discovering incompatibility mid-deployment.
- Field Termination Risk: Resist customer pressure to field-terminate RG-6 connectors or retrofit non-Vivotek camera pigtails into the AM-713-E box. The EPoC signal integrity depends on precise impedance matching and connector sealing. Factory-terminated cable bundles cost more upfront but save callback labor and warranty claims downstream.
- Conduit Fill and Cable Management: At 300+ meters, a single EPoC coax + power ground/shield offers a clean, low-voltage run compared to parallel AC + Ethernet infrastructure. However, ensure the conduit run is not shared with AC power or RF transmission lines that could induce noise on the EPoC signal. Request electrical site survey before committing to cable routing.
The AM-713-E is the right choice for Vivotek-centric perimeter and parking-lot deployments requiring cable runs beyond 100 meters and where PoE repeater footprint or cost is a constraint. It's not a general-purpose outdoor enclosure, and it's not forward-compatible with non-Vivotek cameras or rival EPoC vendors — validate the ecosystem fit early. For integrators already standardized on Vivotek FD-series and MS-series cameras, the AM-713-E simplifies large-scale outdoor rollouts measurably. For details on specifications, compatibility, and procurement, consult the Vivotek catalog.
