Camera wiring - future proof

M

marmathsen

Senior Member
Location
Seattle, Washington ...ish
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
The recent doorbell wiring thread got me thinking, what do others do to future proof for cameras. Is Cat6 good enough and assume POE or do you also run 18/2 (or Siamese)? How often is the 18/2 actually used?



Rob G
Seattle
 
Most consumers aren't going to use pro grade CCTV cameras by their doors. All they know are Ring or Blink or Nest and that's what the OP is talking about.

If someone is going to go for a full boat system with multiple cameras throughout then it is the job of the security installer to decide what's needed.

-Hal
 
The good systems in the plants around here are all hardwired. They can zoom in really close. They can even tell what brand of cigarette someone sneaking a smoke is smoking. HR uses it for their social credit system, and to catch guys who forget to lock something out, or put their lock on the wrong lockout
 
Agree the better systems are hardwired to
a video server. Best resolution and security. Wi fi ring cameras are easy and popular, but wi fi signals can be blocked during break ins
I guess you get what you pay for.
 
jim dungar said:
But it is nice when power is run to them, from a doorbell transformer.
Click to expand...
Yes, unless you run power (14V-16V) from a transformer, the doorbell camera would have to be taken down to charge the battery. I get calls all the time about this. People buy the unit and don't realize the battery needs charging and hate to have to remember to take it down to charge. These are ones without an existing chime and button.
 
So then assuming someone may want to opt for a basic wifi version or a higher quality hardwired, the most reasonable "cover your butt" option would be to run 18/2 AND Cat5/6, right? Seems like 120v at every location would be way overkill right?

Rob G
Seattle
 
Seems like all the plant security systems I see see are powered by the CAT cable. The specifics of how, I never looked into.
 
Joethemechanic said:
Seems like all the plant security systems I see see are powered by the CAT cable. The specifics of how, I never looked into.
Click to expand...
Uhh, seems every friggin' thing is PoE powered these days. Cameras, speakers, access points, even lighting. Power is run on an unused pair in the cable. The router supplies the power. Matter of fact, I recently upgraded my WiFi access point and was surprised to learn that I had to get a new router that supplied more power.

-Hal
 
My first cameras were not POE and needed power but in some cases 18/2 had too much voltage drop and I ended up with 14/2. Replacement cameras are POE and have only Cat 6
 
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