Top mistakes to avoid when installing your CCTV camera system

A variety of problems can occur when setting up a video security system, costing extra time and money. Why not avoid them at the beginning? Here are five common mistakes made during installation that should be avoided.

Installation infrared cameras at wrong places

It’s pretty common to install infrared cameras in the wrong place. This can result in camera video looking perfect during the day but when lights are turned off the image gets completely over exposed. To get it right, avoid installing cameras where infrared lights are blocked or the camera captures too much reflected light. Direct the camera away from anything that reflects infrared light directly back to your camera, like walls or glass as well as other direct light sources.

Forgetting to remove the protective film

To protect cameras from damage protective film is often used inside or outside the camera housing. We have met various cases where customers have complained about image clarity problems after installation only to find out they forgot to remove the protective film. It is recommended removing any protective film after all other necessary installation steps, so as to avoid fingerprints. Another example is PTZ cameras, make sure to remove all protective packaging or covering whether film foam or tape from inside the camera housing before powering it up.

Abstracted installation angle wastes field of view

You don’t want to waste any field of view if it is for security. Installing CCTV camera at to steep an angle will waste about half of the field of view. We suggest double checking and adjusting the camera angle right after installation. To make things even easier you can scan the QR code on the sticker to add the security camera on the hike connect app while adjusting the angle. Also, use the app to check whether the cameras field of view has two low of an angle or is obstructed by leaves or anything else.

Ignoring distance limits of wires

We all know that in general maximum distance of UTP cabling over Internet is 100 m around 328 feet. What’s worse is that poorly wired or low quality cables can easily effect the distance limit to lower than 90 m. Exceeding that limit could cause your camera to lose data and power. If you need the wires connecting cameras to support longer distance, try these options

• If you are using Hikvision PoE NVR, simply go to PoE configuration page and turn on the PoE distance switch for that channel to extend up to 300 m.
• If you are using Hikvision switches find the DIP switch on rear panel and turn ON the switch to extend the distance up to 250 m.
• Add PoE repeaters for that camera

Forgetting to waterproof the cables

Number one common mistake made during setting the CCTV camera system is forgetting to waterproof the cable. While camera body is typically designed with IP 66 or IP 67 dust and waterproof protection, the power cables are not. When the ports of network and power cable are exposed or the SD card cover is not installed correctly they could rust easily. What’s worse is that water vapour can accumulate on the camera lens, making camera useless in this condition and sometimes even need to be replaced with a new one. The process of waterproofing cable is very easy, simply use the waterproof tape and jacket and jacket provided in the packaging. Placed a zero ring gasket on the end of the cameras network interface and press down on the waterproof rubber gasket and then feed the network cable through the waterproof endcap. Then all you need to do is plug in the network cable and tighten the waterproof jacket. Finally, use the waterproof tape to wrap exposed connections on the power cable.

There you have it, five common mistakes made during video installation of a security system.

Writer: Shiza Imran

Updated: 26/07/2022