With the complicated electrical work, wiring, positioning, and concealing the equipment, it can seem like a mammoth task, especially for a first time beginner with little to no experience.
First and foremost, the important thing to remember is that preparation is everything, and before any installation should begin, it is paramount that all the devices are present, all the tools and equipment you need are at hand, and you have a clear idea of what you would like to install, and where you would like it to be positioned.
Planning And Positioning
The first step in the installation process is to decide where you want it placed on your property.
Indoor setup is somewhat easier, as there is a smaller space, limited entrances and exits, and more specified locations one might want to protect or monitor, like a small child’s nursery, the living room where an expensive TV might be, or a home office full of expensive computer equipment.
Exterior setup however, can require a lot more thought.
Depending on the shape of your property, as well as the lines of sight to the street, the optimum position for your cameras can vary greatly.
Whilst most people opt for above or around their front door, or on an overhanging porch, this does not apply to every property, and so specific planning needs to happen before the equipment is purchased.
The main factor for this plan needs to be what do you want to record/protect?
If it is above a door, you might want to position it lower to achieve a more narrow field of view, adding more detail to capture the faces of visitors or intruders who come to your property.
For a road facing view, you may want a higher position to create a larger field of view that can easily see the street, the road, the sidewalk, and the front of the property, making it easier to see people or cars on approach.
There also needs to be thought given to electrical outlets, and whether the chosen positions could be easily integrated to existing systems.
Create a plan of your outlets and chosen locations to best see how well the proposed setup will work out.
Poor wire installation can mean a faulty system at worst, and an ugly visual set up at best, so it is important to follow the steps and ensure it is done correctly.
Establishing A Hub
First of all it is best to establish where your surveillance hub will be – this refers to the place in the house where you want the NVR (network video recorder) or the DVR (digital video recorder) to be positioned for reviewing footage.
Once you have this set up, you can then better direct the cabling to that location in a manner that is more efficient, hopefully minimizing the amount of trailing wire.
Attics make good locations for central hubs, as it is simpler to run cabling through the roof, but a home office or living room (wherever the router is) will also suffice.
Safety First
The next step is the most important – making sure the electricity is turned off before running the cable.
This avoids electrocution and makes the whole process safer and easier.
Then you can use something long and maneuverable (such as an unfolded metal coat hanger) to feel for any undesired obstructions within the wall.
This way will definitely prove easiest, as it means that all the cables will be hidden from view, removing the risk of pet damage, tripping, and ugly aesthetics in your home.
A CAT ⅚ ethernet cable is favorable, as you can simply run this from the back of the security camera to the router or NVR/DVR.
If the distance is too far, then it can be extended with a PoE (power over ethernet) adaptor. This converts the alternating current into a direct current so it can be used as a power supply.
Remember to leave enough cable inside the wall space to allow plenty of movement and leeway, as well as an option for any future adaptations.
Attaching Cameras
Next find the planned place where cameras will be mounted, and drill a hole behind where the mounting plate will be for the wires to be fed through.
Then finish feeding the wiring through the wall space, fastening it in place as you go, until you reach the mounting spot.
Then all that needs to be done is to attach the wire to the camera, attach the camera to the mount and tighten accordingly.
Other Methods
Another, simpler method can be to run the wiring behind the baseboards of your house, achieving the same job, and hiding the wires in the process.
Obviously the downside of this is that any alterations at a later date will require the removal of the boards.
Another option is to run it close to the wall, fastening it in place where the carpet meets the floor with wire pins. You could even paint the wires the same color as the wall to camouflage them from sight.
Final Thoughts
By following the simple steps above, you should be able to have your system up and running in no time.
But remember, when it comes to electricity, safety always comes first, so never try the installation process alone, always ensure the power is switched off during wiring, and remember to make a detailed plan to work from, to make the whole process more methodical.
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