Running Cat5/6 for PoE CCTV - Things you wish you had done?

Gimpymoo

Gimpymoo

Gimpymoo

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About to embark on this for a summer project.

For anyone who has done it, anything you wish you had done differently or any tips?

For example, I am thinking of running four cables outside into a metal junction box and then just using shorter cables to the cameras, pointless exercise or worthwhile? My thinking is if the external cables become damaged over time, will be easier to replace.

Many thanks.
 
Obviously use outdoor rated cables. As for the junction box, are the cables really going to become damaged over time? It might make having to do the 90 degree angle easier, but I'm not really sure it's necessary.
 
Make it look proper...too many gash installs. Not sure what you mean by junction box as your need a run per camera. You can't splice Ethernet.

Run conduit behind drain pipe, attach to eaves, angle drilling etc is key...
 
I mean an enclosure to enclose a multi port face plate on the wall to which will just be short patch cables neatly connected to cameras, will save drilling multiple holes too, if any of that makes sense.
 
Gimpymoo said:
I mean an enclosure to enclose a multi port face plate on the wall to which will just be short patch cables neatly connected to cameras, will save drilling multiple holes too, if any of that makes sense.
Click to expand...
You know you'll still need to run an individual cable per camera to the multi port face plate right? Unless you are talking about a PoE switch. Ethernet can't be spliced.

Edit: sorry misread the op. The trick will be getting outdoor grade weather proof boxes as the plastic will degrade. A single run may be less prone to issues.
 
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I'd personally just run the correct out door rated cable direct to each camera, adding in a junction box outside seems just a needless potential point of failure to me.

The correct rated outdoor cable will last 15+ years no issues.
 
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I was thinking something similar to this...

KBIP3G.jpg
 
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Doesn’t this mean you will have lots of cables on the exterior of your house from the box to the cameras?

I’d personally drill separate holes for each camera.

The cables can be hidden internally in the loft or under the floor or behind skirting boards.
 
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Gimpymoo said:
For anyone who has done it, anything you wish you had done differently or any tips?
Click to expand...
Cables rods can save a lot of headaches.
Leave plenty of spare cable either end of the run in case of re-termination.
Plan the install and make sure you have the cable runs route sorted to your comms cabinet/central location/POE switch or injectors etc.
Whilst most camera boots are sealed, using amalgamating tape around them isn't a bad idea...unless you need to peel it off.
Depending on the structure of the building, you can bury and hide cables behind the brickwork which can result in a neater install that doesn't require awful junction boxes everywhere.

Gimpymoo said:
For example, I am thinking of running four cables outside into a metal junction box...
Click to expand...
It doesn't really solve anything as long as you use proper rated cabling and leave spare at the ends in case of re-termination.
 
Gimpymoo said:
I was thinking something similar to this...

KBIP3G.jpg
Click to expand...

My feeling is you're adding joints outdoors which gives a lot of potential for issues. Although it shouldn't if the box gets compromised and fills with water it's going to cause more problems then it solves. Although it's sometime unavoidable it's really best not to joint Cat5/6, if you can help it. A joint has a much higher risk of failure, the chances of a piece of cable failing are basically nil if you use the correct materials.
 
Just going with single cable runs.

Fitting Video Doorbell today, wooden door frame... Did not realise how deep it was from inside to out, massive drill bit incoming.

Went for 7mm, should be enough to run Cat6 through... I hope
 
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