How to Install a CCTV Camera like a Pro!
Security and safety is a priority for everyone and these days, because of the increasing crime rate, security measures such as installing CCTV cameras in your home and office has become super important.
In fact, according to a report by the US department of justice, 1.03 million home invasions happen every year in the US.
So, installing a security system in your home can really help you keep your family and yourself safe from intruders.
Many people believe that installing a security camera is very hard and you need to hire professionals to get the job done, which is true if you are installing multiple security cameras in a large building, but for your home or small business establishment, you can easily install a security system by yourself, if you know what to do.
So, here is a guide that will help you install a security camera system like a pro. Check it out:
Figure Out Your Security Requirements
The first step in the process of installing a security camera system for your home or business is to determine what you want the security camera to do.
There are a lot of different kinds of security cameras available in the market that are suited for different requirements.
For example, if you are installing a camera to monitor a large area, like a street or a parking lot, you will need a camera with a wide-angle lens and a long focal length.
You will also need a camera that has weather protection if you are installing it outdoors.
On the other hand, for indoor cameras, you need a lens that has a shorter focal length so that it can give a clear image at close range.
The best way is to create a diagram of your home to determine your requirements. You have to understand that it is not practical to cover every single inch of your home or office with cameras. It is also very expensive, and the footage will be harder to monitor.
Cameras should be placed in main locations like the entrance and exit points, large common areas and alleyways.
Do make sure you know what your requirements are before you go to purchase a security camera system.
Purchase a Security Camera According to Your Requirements
Once you have understood your requirements, the next step is to buy the right kind of security camera system.
You will find a lot of companies with a lot of different items at variable price ranges.
It is very important that you don’t get attracted to buy any offer and buy a good quality security camera that will fulfill your security needs for a long while.
Make sure that your camera system has a valid warranty.
Going for a cheaper product may feel like saving money, but it can end up costing you more in the future.
At this point, you also need to determine whether you want to install wired or wireless security cameras.
Both kinds have their advantages, but for a small system like a home, wireless security cameras are a better option.
You will also need to buy a good quality DVR (Digital Video Recorder) and wires and cables for the camera system.
These days, wireless security cameras do have internal local storage and cloud storage capabilities, so you may not need to get a DVR for such cameras.
Determine the Best Location for the Security Camera
Once you have bought the right security camera, according to your requirements, the next step is to figure out how to install it. You need to follow these basic rules when trying to find the best spot for your camera.
- Make sure that you mount the camera on a high location so that it can get a wider view and cover as much area as possible.
- Ensure that the camera is out of reach of intruders and thieves so that it can’t be tampered with.
- Make sure that the camera gets the right amount of light, and it isn’t pointed directly towards a light source.
- Mount your cameras in spots near power supply for easier access and shorter wires. Even some wireless cameras need to be plugged to a power outlet. You can check here to see more 24v dc power supply.
- Choose an installation spot that will protect the camera from extreme weather conditions.
- Make sure that your cameras don’t violate any neighbor’s privacy.
Mount the Security Cameras on the Location
Once the best location is determined, you need to mount the camera. For this, you will need some basic tools like a drill, a screwdriver, pliers, a wire cutter and some screws.
Start making a path for the wires to move in the house because even if the camera system doesn’t need to be connected to a DVR, it will need to be connected to a power supply.
After this, make some holes with a drill for the screws and simply mount the camera using a screwdriver.
Make Arrangements for the Wires
Making arrangements for the wires is the next step if you are installing wired cameras.
You need to attach the wires from all your cameras to a DVR and then attach the DVR to a monitoring screen.
You also need to make arrangements to effectively hide the wires if you want to install a camera system like a pro.
If the wires aren’t hidden, your whole security system can be tampered with and rendered useless.
If you don’t want to drill holes in your walls to let the wires in, you can use staple guns to take the wire to your main electric box and enter the wires inside the house through there.
For inside cameras, hide the wire under a rug or maybe keep them mounted high with the ceiling.
Set Up a Monitoring System for Your Cameras
A security camera system is useless if you don’t have a system to monitor the footage.
Once you have installed the cameras successfully, you need to figure out a monitoring system for the camera.
For a wired system, the solution is quite simple, all the wires are connected to a DVR, and the DVR connects to your computer or TV screen.
But for wireless cameras, you need to buy a package for cloud storage and set the monitoring system for the cameras through the Wi-Fi.
As far as storage is concerned, you don’t need that much for a home security system, normally a couple of days of footage are more than enough for a home security camera.
Maintain Your Cameras Regularly
Like any other installation in your home, you also need to take care of the maintenance of the cameras if you want them to last for a long time.
The cameras that are installed outdoors have to be cleaned because dust and dirt can deposit on them.
This can affect the quality of the footage recorded, and it can affect the longevity of the camera.
If your camera is battery-powered, make sure to charge the batteries regularly.
So these were some simple steps to help you install security systems on your own.
This will help you install a system with around 5 or 6 cameras, but if you need to install more than this, it is best to consult the professionals.
There are many amazing companies that do security cameras installation, Try them out!
