Better Outdoor Camera Installs-

In my travels I have witnessed some truly text book outdoor camera installs. Unfortunately, more times than not, I find fair to poor Outdoor installations. If you feel that your Technician’s work falls into the latter category- this Blog post may be for you- or that Tech. Below are some best practices to be utilized when installing Analog or IP cameras outdoors.

When Cabling is Possible:

1. Use Fiber when ever possible outdoors. The are numerous benefits to using Fiber in outdoor installations. Chief among them are Surge Protection, Very Long Service Lengths, High Signal Integrity, Very High Bandwidth, Impervious  to Ground Loops and/or other Electrical/ Interference issues, and finally future proofing the installation. The last item speaks to the fact that Fiber is so versatile. All of the following can be sent, simultaneously over fiber cabling (Data, Telemetry, Contacts, Video or Multiple Video, Serial Data, Audio and more.) It is also a best practice to pull an extra fiber than your need, for future use. Over course a Very Reliable Fiber Transceiver is required at booth ends of that fiber(s). Rackmount card cage style Fiber Transceivers are cost effective, efficient and ideal for the headend side of larger installations.

2. If copper must be used, “water tight” conduit and Immersion rated cable are next best.  Some Cable Jackets will breakdown overtime after laying in water within “waterproof” conduits. Also, CAT 6 UTP cabling would be ideal due to reduced cost and longer service distances.

Example: GVI Security Active UTP Receiver

For longer IP camera runs consider using Coaxial- yes Coaxial with a pair of Veracity High Wire Products. This is a fantastic solution to networking wiring service distances (100Meters.)

Also, when conductive materials are utilized- such as copper wire- Lightning and Surge Suppression are a must for the Video, Power and/or Data (or Serial). Juice Goose manufacturers an excellent line of Low Voltage Line Surge Protection. Pole Mounted Lightning Protection is also ideal- however rarely implemented due to expense.

Example of Rack Mountable Line Protection and Power Supply.

When Cabling is Not Possible: Wireless

There are many Wireless best practices to be covered in another future BLOG. In the mean time ,if you have wireless applications ask us about how Verint Nextiva Wireless can help improve your next Wireless Video Project.

Enclosures:

It is critical that the enclosure you use is suited to the environment. One way the industry rates Enclosures is by Ingress Protection (IP) ratings. The rating you will use most of time for outdoor is IP66 (Totally Protected against Dust Ingress and Extremely limited Water Ingress.

IP 67 – Partial Submersion  and IP 68 (High Pressure Water Protection/ Full Submersion) are two less common, but more substantial IP ratings.

You should always utilize any included Silicone or other sealant- because if its in the box, there is a reason to use it.

Finally, Finish Dressing

It is far too common a sight- coax cabling or other wire exposed and unprotected when it would take very little additional time and or expense to properly route cables through Flex Conduit or Armored Flex for high security environments.

Additionally many Camera System Mounts include hidden raceways and channels for protecting the cabling.

Leaving exposed cabling is not only aesthetically displeasing, but a prime opportunity for Vandalism, Insects and Moisture issues.