Installing a security camera system is an intelligent way for you to protect your home or business. Many people do not understand how valuable a surveillance system is when it comes to security but the fact is that having one of these systems can help to secure the locations that are most important to you. It is pretty common knowledge that these CCTV cameras can provide you with video footage which can help law enforcement investigators catch criminals who may target the protected premises. Not everyone realizes that a security camera system can also act to deter crime in the areas where the cameras are mounted. The general idea here is that when someone who intends to commit a criminal act sees that they are on camera that they will move along. In order to maximize the benefit of a surveillance camera system, it really helps to have the cameras mounted in the most effective positions. The technique of installing security cameras is not difficult but mistakes can be pricey. For this reason, it is a good idea to understand the entire process before beginning your installation.
SELECTING THE CORRECT CAMERA
The first thing you will need to do is choose the camera which will best suit your budget and role that you have planned for it. Techpro Security offers several different types of security cameras which offer a wide variety in cost and the way they perform. It is very important to understand these differences before purchasing your equipment. Securitycameraking.com offers a vast amount of information and our sales team specializes in helping you to understand the details of the different pieces of equipment.
You will need to make sure that the camera that you select is meant to be installed outdoors and can handle the elements and the proper temperature ranges. It is not recommended that you use indoor cameras outside, regardless of how well protected the mounting location will be. A security camera will not function well if moisture penetrates into the interior mechanisms of a security camera. This can easily cause the camera to malfunction and stop working. Outdoor cameras may cost a bit more initially but it will be cheaper than having to replace an indoor camera which has died because it was asked to fill a role which it was not intended to fill.
There are several other features that security cameras have which may be helpful for you to know about when making a decision. One of the most important features of an outdoor camera is the ability to produce infrared (IR) illumination. If a camera has this feature it will be able to project infrared light to varying distances and see that far even though this light is not visible to the human eye. This will allow the camera to produce high quality video even though a person will not see any light in the area except a slight red glow coming from the camera. Alternatively, you can either have other artificial lighting fixtures in the area or you can also hang a separate IR illuminator in the area, but you will need to make sure that the camera has IR cut filter in order to see this type of light.
In a perfect world, all security cameras would have consistent lighting conditions throughout the field of view. Unfortunately this is not always possible so it’s a good thing that there are some features to look for in your security cameras when the lighting will present a challenge. For example head light compensation, back light compensation and wide dynamic range will all be features to help you capture high quality video in most lighting conditions.
PLANNING OUT YOUR SYSTEM
Before we get to the actual camera installation, it’s important to realize the camera is only one component that will make up your security camera system. What do you want your camera system to do? Are you trying to make sure that you have video of any criminal activity in the area? Are you keeping an eye on employees? What resolution do you want? These are all question which are vital to planning out your security camera system. Once you have a clear understanding of what you need the system to do then it’s a good idea to talk to our sales team as well as doing any research that you can.
At this point, when you talk to our sales team they will be able to match you with the equipment that will best suit your needs and budget. We can help you get the cameras that will be able to view the required distance or area. We can help you make sure that your cameras will be able to have the illumination required to get you the best video possible. We can even help place your cameras to maximize their effectiveness. Every install is different and we have helped with thousands of them. We make it a priority to make sure that every customer is happy and their surveillance camera system performs the way that the customer wants.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS
Real criminals usually put a considerable amount of planning and thought into their crimes. This means that you will need to pay close attention to the fine details of an install location. We are here to help you but walking the grounds can be invaluable. You will need to make sure that there is a clear field of view between the cameras and their target areas. It’s also a good idea to make sure that it’s not possible to sneak up on a camera without being viewed by another camera.
You should also mount your cameras as high as possible because this will increase their field of view and keep them out of arms reach. This will help prevent anyone from tampering with the camera.
Another consideration is to look out for any sight obstructions in the camera’s view and blind spots that they may create. It is a very good idea for you to do some testing for this and every other aspect of your CCTV system before actually mounting any cameras or pulling the cables through tight space. This will allow you to make adjustments without it adding to the labor involved.
MOUNTING THE SECURITY CAMERAS OUTSIDE
It’s a fairly simple process to actually mount a camera but there are a few things that you should keep in mind.
– If you are going to mount a camera on a particularly hard surface (like brick or concrete), then you will probably want to use a hammer drill.
– It is very important that you protect the camera’s connectors from the elements. Even if the camera is designed for use outdoors, the connectors will always be vulnerable to moisture. This can be achieved through the use of a junction box or by mounting the camera over the hole that you made in the mounting surface in order to get your cable to the camera. – It is always a good idea to use some type of weather proof sealant around a camera’s mounting plate. This will help to further protect a camera’s connectors.