October 10, 2016 by Anas Mustafa
Installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras for surveillance or deterrence purposes can keep your home or business safe from criminals, and the general rule is that it’s best to use a relatively short cable to facilitate a clear video signal.
However, there are times when it might be better to install CCTV cameras further away from the business or home that it will be connected to. While shorter is better, it is possible to use a long cable run to safely install CCTV cameras.
What follows are some tips related to safely using long cable runs to get the CCTV cameras that you require:
Do Your Homework
A rule of thumb if you’ll need a longer than usual cable length is to determine exactly where the cables will go before moving ahead with any installation. A professional installer will consider the layout of your home or business, assess the electrical room and electrical pipes already in place, and then calculate the required distance in order to figure out the ideal path for the cable.
Select the Proper Cable
When it comes to installing a longer cable, you also need to consider your cable options so that you select the right one for your application. Generally speaking, select the highest-quality cable you can get access to so that it will stand up to the elements over the long haul. In the event that the cable will need to be manipulated during use, such as would be the case if connected to scanners, then you need to choose a cable that contains a stranded wire core. This feature will enable the cable to be flexed without compromising its integrity or durability. All things being equal, the best sort of cable has pure copper stranding since cable containing copper-plated steel stranding will not do a great job of transmitting within the frequency range of CCTV.
RG6/U Versus RG11/U
During installation, you’ll want to use RG6/U cable if the cable needs to be north of 800 feet in length. The reason for this is that this sort of cable is able to transmit a signal further than other kinds can. If you need a cable that exceeds 1,500 feet in length, however, you’ll need a RG11/U cable. This cable type is heavy, however, and will require more work than usual to install.
CAT5
Another option to take advantage of for long cable run happens to be CAT5 cables. These types of cable are less costly than coax cables over extended distances, so you’ll keep more money in your pocket. Moreover, CAT5 cables do a great job of transmitting not only video, but also energy, and this will keep security cameras operational over extended distances.
Tips
Some more tips to keep in mind if you opt for a CCTV camera installation with a long cable run include the following: do not attempt to join cables; ensure that the cable is not in close proximity to main power cables; and avoid having too much cable too close to CCTV cameras.
So if you’re wondering whether or not CCTV cameras with a long cable run are safe, the answer is certainly yes. Keep the recommendations in this article in mind, and you’ll be able to avoid any potential problems.
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