Wiring for external security cameras

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Wiring for external security cameras

saxtim

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#157314 27-Nov-2014 13:16

Hi all,

I'm currently in the middle of a new build. I've just had electrical prewire done and have had a company do data/TV prewire. I'm now considering putting some wiring in for future security cameras - I was thinking of wiring for POE IP cameras. I figure I can probably do this myself easily enough (the builder seems happy enough for me to and it would seem more cost effective than just getting the data company back).

I'm wondering what to do with the external termination points of the cat6 wiring so they are easily accessible if I do put cameras in? Is there some sort of exterior rated rj-45 socket available? I figure the problem with just leaving them in the soffits will be finding them again (without having to drill big holes to locate them!) Be much easier if they are just 'there' so to speak when I come to plug in cameras.

Tim

gbwelly

1243 posts

Uber Geek

#1184281 27-Nov-2014 16:51

I haven't used these for data, but they take anything that fits a standard flush box:
http://www.kiwisparks.co.nz/collections/exterior-electrics/products/anz-weatherproof-enclosure
They have knockouts on the flap so you can feed a cable through and close the cover.

wellygary

8325 posts

Uber Geek

#1184285 27-Nov-2014 17:01

You are probably creating a bit of a rod for your own back if you look at installing a data port to "plug it into" and hence require a short patch cable from each cam to the data port

The Cam will likely have a regular RJ45 socket on it, so really why not go and get yourself a ethernet crimper and just crimp a plug on the end of the cable leaving it coiled in the soffet ( and write down where it is) when you install the camera just affix it, drill a small hole pull through the cable and plug it in ... bingo

Or

You could always do the crimping when you get the cam, and for the meantime just run the cable , drill the soffit for a small hole, thread through you Cat6 and tie it off until you need it...

saxtim

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1184346 27-Nov-2014 19:39

My concern about leaving the cord in the soffit and then drilling for it later was that I might have trouble re-locating and pulling the chord through such a small hole as you can't get fingers in there to fish around, however, I might just be over thinking it - it would probably be easily. Perhaps the easier option is to just pull the cable through the soffit now and tie it off, though I wonder what the builder will think of that in terms of water tightness. I did a bit more research and found there are things like this on the market:

http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=PS1450&w=rj45&form=KEYWORD
http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=PP1454&w=rj45&form=KEYWORD

that is probably the answer I'm looking for but maybe I'm over engineering it!

Tim

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1184385 27-Nov-2014 20:15

Those connectors from Jaycar are good, but be aware they are only waterproof when the cap is fitted or if the mating connector is also the waterproof type (it has a metal shell with seals over the RJ45).

Drill a hole and thread the cable through, tape the end up with insulation/duct tape, and crimp a connector once the house is built. Maybe also tape it up with masking tape to keep paint off.

You can never have enough Volvos!