I’ll be closing up my soffits shortly and I’d like to toss in wiring for security cameras which I may or may not add in my lifetime. But at least the few bucks worth of wiring some strategic locations. But question is what wiring? And should it all be dropped to a central wiring closet (home run)? Do I also put a 110V outlet there or do these cameras run off DC?
Thanks for the help -MERC
Replies
Run conduit back to some place where you can finish the rough-in later. You don't know whether you want coax or cat-5 or what.
But question is what wiring? And should it all be dropped to a central wiring closet (home run)? Do I also put a 110V outlet there or do these cameras run off DC?
Several question is one. Many of the cameras run off a transformer that plugs into 110VAC. Some cameras use a combo cable, some do not. The video connection is usually coax, excepting those using RCA jacks. Once you know the camera, jou know the connection, the connection tells you what wire to use.
Since none of that is known or knowable right now, you might want to just run 1/2" non-metalic conduit to some central to the attic point. There's some "hip" new advances in "wireless," but you will want to have a 110VAC outlet nearby for power.
Here's a very full site with many many cameras:
http://www.123cctv.com/cctv/exterior-cctv-camera-packages.html
Put blocking in the spot wher you think your going to hang your cameras. Definatley put in a couple of 110 outlets at the point where your home runs end. It doesn't matter what type of camera you use it will need a powere supply powered by 110.
Who Dares Wins.
Ohh by the way run rg-59 with a an 18 gauge two conduxter to run the cameras.
Who Dares Wins.
But the coming thing is "web" cams that run on Cat-5. Probably in 5 years these will dominate.
Leave the cable type "uncommitted".
Just to add to the suggestion about the conduit: I would run the conduit from the likely camera locations to the central point, and install a light, a switch, and an outlet there, as well as a small area of flooring from which you can work later. This also comes in handy if you choose to install your TV antenna in the attic. The run some appropriate wire, or mason's line through each conduit so that you can pull whatever wires you want to pull later.
Find a likely location where you'd want to put the switcher/multiplexer and run your cables to this spot. If in the attic be advised that high temps are bad on electronics.
Cameras use either RCA or BNC connectors. I'd run RG6 to each spot and then finish the cable with the appropriate connector when you choose the camera.
Most all cameras run off 12V. You can run extension cords to the camera locations for the small transformers, or you can buy a central power supply (approx $75) which will power about 10 cameras. In that case, run 18 gauge lamp cord to the camera locations. Most cameras draw about 100 mA of current
I have all my power cables on a power strip that is connected to an X-10 appliance module. This puts the cameras on a fixed schedule, and also lets me power them up remotely.