Network Cabling for Video Surveillance

Published Jan 15, 2020 15:06 PM

In this guide, we explain the fundamentals of network cabling for video surveillance networks, how they should be installed, and the differences in testing them for production networks.

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Specifically, we examine:

  • Network Cabling Defined
  • Network Cable Construction
  • Category Ratings
  • Most Surveillance Cables Cat 5e/6
  • Cat 7 And 8
  • Shielded Twisted Pair Vs. Unshielded Twisted Pair
  • Where Should STP Be Used?
  • Solid Copper Vs. Copper Clad Aluminum
  • Cable Ratings: Plenum Vs. Riser Vs. General
  • Installation Standards
  • Cable Testing Basics
  • What Cable Tester Should Integrators Use?
  • Cable Installation Best Practices
  • Labeling Is Key'
  • Documenting Cable Locations
  • Securing Cables Above Ceilings
  • Cable Jacket Colors
  • No Excessive Service Loops

Network ******* *******

"******* *****" ** **** ***** **** to ***** ** *********** ********* ******, e.g., * ***** **** * ******* closet ** * ******. **** ** referred ** ** * "********* ****", also ***** ** ********** ** ********** cabling. ******* ******* **** ******** ***** cables **** ** ******* ******* ** jacks ** ***** ****** ** ******** or ****.

** ************, *** **** ****** ********* link ** ******* * ***** ***** and ******, ***** *****.

IPVM Image

***** *** **** ***** ********** ** permanent **** ********* ** ***** ******* are ** ***. ** ***** **** in *** ******:********** ******* *** ***** ************ *****.

Network ***** ************

*** **** ******** **** ***** ** surveillance ** ***, ***** ****** ************************, ********* ******** * (********* *****). A *** ***** ******** ** * individual ********** ** * ******* *****, surrounded ** ** ******* ****** **** of *** ** ***** *******. **** pairs *** ***** ***** *** ************** in **** ******: ****, ******, *****, and *****. **** **** ******** * solid ******* ****, *.*., ****, *** a ******* ****, *.*. "*****-****".

*** ***** ***** ***** * ******* Cat * ***** ******* ***** **********:

IPVM Image

****** ********* **** ******* * ****** used ** ***** *** ****** *** to *** ******** ** *** ***** when *******. **** ****** **** ******* a ********* ***** ******* *** **** pairs ** * ******* ******* ** reduce *** **** *** ***** ******* when ******.

Category *******

******* ****** *** ***** **** ******* "categories" ********* ** ***** ************ (*********** rated ** ***). ***** ******* *** defined *****/*** *****, ***** ****** ****** **** ******** 1 ******* ******** *, ** **** as ******* ***** ** *****-***** *****. Many ** ***** ********** *** ** longer ** *** *****, *** ********** may ***** *** **** ** *** field.

**** ****** *** *, *** ** Diminishing ***

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******* ****** ********** ** *** ** surveillance *** * **** **, ** ******** * *** **** deprecated *** ******** ** ********** * small ****** ********* **** ** ** or ***** **************. *** * *** up *** ****** *** ********* ** security ************.

**** *** ** *** * ******* of **** ******* **** ***** ** the ***** ** **-** *** (****** referred ** ** "*****") ****** * single ******. ***** *** **** *** differences, *******:

  • *** **: *** ** ** ***** to * *** ********* ********* ** 100 ***. **'* **** *** ************ has **** *** **** ******** (*******-*), but ** ** ******* ** ******* speeds, ** ****. *** ** **** 24AWG **********, **** *** **********. *** following ***** ***** * ********* ******** Cat ** *****:

IPVM Image

  • *** *: *** * ** ***** to * *** ********* ********* ** 250 ***. ** ** ******* ** typical **** ******** (*** **/*) *** gigabit, **** *** **, *** *** also ** **** ** ***** **-******* Ethernet *** ~***' (***). *** * sometimes **** ** *** **********, ***** makes ** **** ******** *** ***** it * ****** ******* ********, ********* more **** ** ************. *** * cables **** ******** *** * ******** barrier ** *** ***** ** ******** separation ******* *****, *** ***** ********* in ** ******. *** ***** ********* can ** **** ** *** ****** of *** ***** *****:

IPVM Image

***** ***** ****** ********* ** *** category *** ************, ******* **** ***** $40 *** *** *,***' *** *** grade *** ** ***** ** ~$*** for **** **** *** *.

Cat * *** * *** **** ** ************

****** ****** *** * *** ******, if ****, **** ** ************. *** to ***** ************, ***** ******** ********** shielding *** **** **** ****, **** are **** **** ****** ** *********** and *******, ********* ******** ********** *** to ***.

IPVM Image

********** ** ***** ** ** ** 40 **** ** *** *, *** only *** ***** *********, ********* Because ** ****, ***** ****** *** generally **** **** ** **** ****** applications ***** **** ******** ************* *** needed.

Shielded ******* **** **. ********** ******* ****

****** ********** ******* **** ** **** common ** ************, ***** *** **** applications ***** ******** ******* **** (***) cables *** ********. ******** ******* **** contains * ****** ** ******* ******** the ******* ***** ***/** ********** *****. Technically ********,**** ******** ** ******** ******* **** cables *****, *** "***" ** *********** ****, especially ** ************ ***** **** ******** are *** ******.

*** ***** ***** ***** *** ********** metallic ********* *********** **** ***** ** STP:

IPVM Image

***** *** **** ******* $** ** $40 *** ****** ******** ** *** cabling, ******** ***** **** ** *** feet, ***** ** *** ***** ***** ~40% **** **** *** *** ********* on *** **** ********** ***** ** larger ******* ** ****** *** *** larger, ******* *** **** ***** ***.

Where ****** *** ** ****?

*** ****** ****** ** ******** ************ could ** * *******. ***** **** alone ** ****** *****, **** *** some ****** ******* ** ************ **** affect ******* *****:

  • ******** ** **** ******* ******:***** ****** *** ********* **** **** transmission **** **** *** ******** ** each *****. **** ****** *** * compliant ******** ***** ****** * ******** raceway *** ** * ****** ************ and ****** ************.
  • **** ********* *******:**** ******* *** **** ****** ***************** features **** ******** ******, ***** ************, magnetic *****, ** ********* *** ********* significant ***, ****** *** * ****** spec *********** ** ********** ************ *** manufacturing **********.
  • ********/***** *******:****** *** ******* ************* ****** *** impact **** ************. ***** * ****** handset *** *** ** *********** ****** to ** * *******, ******** **** runs **** **** ******* ********* ** transmitters ****** ** *** ***** *** to ********* ********.

Solid ****** **. ****** **** ********

**** ********, ******* ****** *** **** using ***** ****** **** *** ********** conductors. *******, **** *** ****/****** ****** may *** ******-**** ******** (***), ***** plates * ***** ******** **** **** a **** ***** ** ****** ** lower **** (***** **** ******* ******).

***** ****** ****** ** *** ***** as ** ***** ***** ** **** category ************* *****. *** *******, ** our******* ***** ********, *** ******-**** ****** ** ****** all ****** ** **** ************* *****, even ** * **** ***** ***** (~50'), ***** *** ***** ****** ****** tests ** ** ***' ******* *****.

IPVM Image

***** ****** *** ***** **** *** a ****** ******, *** ** ** not ********* **** ** **** *** more *********** ** ********* ***********, ********* voltage ****, *********, *** ***** ****** which ****** ****** ** *** **********, which ***** ****** ** ****** ***** over ****.

Cable *******: ****** **. ***** **. *******

****** ********* ** *** ******** ****** (referred ** ** "*******") **** ** rated *** *** *******, ** ***-***** cables *** ******* **** ****** *** spread *** **** **** *******. ****** cables *** **** ** *********** ********* which ****-********** **** ***** ** ******* or ****** ** *** *******.

*** **** ****** ****** ** *** in ********** ********** ** **** ******** used *** *** ********, ***** *****, though ****** ****** (***** **** ** computer *****) *** ******* ****** *****, as ****, ** **** *** **** for *******.

IPVM Image

***** ***-***** ***** ** ***** ************ could ****** ** ***** ** *** installation ** *********, ** **** ** the **** ** ******* ********* ******, and ** *****, ***** ****** ** faster ****** ** **** ** ****.

******* ** ****, **** *********** ****** specify ****** ***** ****** ** **** in *** *************, ** ***** *** be *********** ***** ******* * ***** ceiling ** **** ** * ****** or ***. *******, **** ************* ********* cable ****, ** ****** ***** ***** 2-3x ** **** ** ***-***** *****.

*** **** ******* ** ******, *****, and ***-***** ******, *** *** ******:***** ** ****** ******* *********.

Installation *********

***** ** "*********" **** ** **** exists *** ******* *****, ***** *** others **** ********* ******* ********* *** design *** ************ ** ******* ******* and ******* **************. **********, **** ************ specifications *** ********* ** * *** or ***** ** ****, * ***** publication ****** ** *****.

***** *** ******** ***** ***** ***:

**** ** ******** ** *** ********** state **** **** ******* ** *** or **** ** *** **** ******, it ** ** *** *********'* **** interest ** **** *** ********** ** heart ** ***** ** **** *** 'nightmares' ** ***.

*** **** ***********, *** *** ******:***** *** ** ***** ************ *****.

Cable ******* ******

*** ****** ****** ** ****** ***** installation, ** ****** **** **** **** as ******** *** ****** *** ****** of ***** *************** ***** ** **** cable ***********. *******, *** ***** ***** of ****** ******** ****** ********* ** the *******.

***** *** ***** **** ***** ** cable ******:

  • ********* *** *** ******** **** ** test *** ******* ***** ***** ******* for ******* *** ******, *** ****** be ****, ** * ******* ** all ******. **** ** ** ******* more ******** ***** **** ** *********, losses, *** ****, *** *** **** less ********* **** ******, ******* *** only * *** ******* *******. **** video ******* ***** *** ** * cable ********:

  • ********** *** *** **** ********* **** of ******, ********** **** ****** **** numerous ********** ********* ** ***/******* *********. Certification ** ******** ** **** ********* in ****** *************, *** ** ***** required *** ******* ************ ********. *** main ******** ** *****, **** ********** often ******* *** $**,***+, *** **** be ************ ************. ******* ** ****, many ********** **** **** **** ********* instead ** **********.
  • ********** ******* * ******** ********* **** but ** *** *********-*********, ****** ********* to **** * '**** *****' **** intended ** ******** *** **/* ******** or ***. ********** **** *** ******* thousand *******, **** **** **** *********, but **** **** **********.

*** **** ** *********** ** ***** devices *** *** ********** **** ****, see ********** ***** ******* *****.

What ***** ****** ****** * ***?

**** ******** ********** **** *********** **** at ***** * ******** ** ****. Wiremap *** ****** *** *** *** elements ***** ****** ** ****** ************ *******, ***** ** ******* ***** installed. ** ** ****** *** ** least *** ** *** ****** ** an ************ ** **** ******* ** shorted *****. ******* ** ****** ******** and/or **-*********** *** ***** ******* ********** the *******, * ******** *** **** exactly **** ** *****.

**** *********** **** ***** **** ** use * ***** *********, ********* ** their ****** ******(*) *** ************ ** the ******** **** *******. **** *** simply **** *** **** ****** ******* of ***** ********* **** ********** *** maintaining * ********* ** ***** ***.

********** *** ********* *** **** ** security *** ************, *** *** ***** preferred ** ** *****. **** ** not ***** **** ********** **** * verifier **** ***** ** *********** ****** in ************.

Cable ************ **** *********

***** ************ *** **** ***************, *** can ******* ** ***** ** **** basic **** ********* *** *** ********. IPVM ********** ***** **** *** **** practices:

  • ***** *** ******
  • ******** ***** *********
  • *** ***** *****/*****
  • *** ********* ******* ******
  • ** *** *** ********* ******* *****

Labeling ** ***

****** ******** ** **** ******, ********** should ********* *** **** **** ** labeled *** **** ****** ** **** go. ***** * ******* ******* ** label ********* ****** *********** ******* *********** compared ** ****** ******* **** ******* tape ** * ******, ***** *** save ******** ** ********* ** ******* in *************** **** *****.

* **** ***** ****** ******* *** cable's *********** ** **** ** *** source, *** ********** **** ** ** used *** (*.*., ******, ******* *****, NVR, ***.). ** * ***** ******* a ****** ** * ******* ** the * **** ** * ****** may ** *******:

****–*-** (**** ****, ***** ***** *, Port **)

** ***** ******** ** ****** ** our** ****** ***** ******** *****

Document ***** *********

******* ***** ********* ** ********** ** invaluable *** ************ ***********. ****** ** years ***** *** ****** ** *********, technicians ********* *** *********** *** **** no **** ***** ****** *** ** or ****, *********** ********** *************** **** for ****** ******* ** *******.

****** ******* ** * ***** **** with ********* ** *** ** ********** in **** *****. *******, **** ********** platforms **** ******,*******, ************** ** ********** ****** ** ******* electronically, **** ***** ****** ****** *** later *** ****** *** ***** **** relevant *****.

IPVM Image

Secure ****** ***** *******

***** ******* ***** **** ******** ** along ******* *** * *** ** becoming * ********** ******* **** **** time. ***-******** **** *** ***** ***** tray, *-*****, ** ****** ***** *** prevent ***** ****** ** ******** ***** above *** *******.

*** ****** ***** **** ******** ** trays *** ***** ** ***:

IPVM Image

Use ********* ******* ******

***** ********* ****** ** ***** ** identify ******** ******* *** ** ****** to ******* ***** ****** ** ** staff **** ********** ******** ******. **** cables ** **** *** ***** *** used *******, ** *** ** ********* to ******* ***** ***** ** ***** in * ***** ****** **** ********** to ****** * ****** ***.

IPVM Image

******* '****' *** '****' ******** ****** are *** **** ****** ******** ******, and '***' ** ******** *** **** system ************, *** **** '******** *****' colors *** ***** ************ ********* ** most ************ *** ******, *******, *******, and *******. ******* **** ***-******** ***** options *** ********* ** ****** ****, and *** **** ******* ** ***** lead **** *** ***** ****.

No ********* ******* *****

**** ** *** **** ******, *** needlessly *****, ****** ** *********** ** to *** *** ********* ******* ** cable ** '******* *****' ** *** end ** ***** **** ** ***** 10' ** **' ***** ****** **** 3' ***** *******.

IPVM Image

******* ***** ****** ******* * *** feet ** ***** ******* ** ***** potential ****** ****** ** ******* **** relocation. *******, ******* ** ****** ** fifty **** ** *** *** ** runs '**** ** ****' ********** ****** cost *** ******* *******.

Comments (25)
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Jan 15, 2020

******* ***** ****** ******* * *** feet ** ***** ******* ** ***** potential ****** ****** ** ******* **** relocation. *******, ******* ** ****** ** fifty **** ** *** *** ** runs '**** ** ****' ********** ****** cost *** ******* *******.

** ***** **** *** * *** beyond *** ******** **** ****** ** be ********* ** *** ****** ** getting ***** ** *** (*** ******** the ************* ** * ******* *** the ******/****).

(2)
Avatar
Lynn Harold
Jan 16, 2020

* ** ******* ** ****** *** experience, ******** ** ********, ***** ***** diameter (**** ****** ******* ********, ** "mini") *** * ***** *****? ********* stranded *****, **** *** *** **** flexible *** ***** **** ******* ** an ******* ********* *******. ******.

(2)
MM
Michael Miller
Jan 16, 2020

** **** *** *** ****** *** when *** ***** **** *** ** the ***** **** ****** * ***** cable ** ****** ********* *** **** I **** **** ****.

(2)
HB
Harris Bond
Jan 16, 2020

** **** ****** **** **** *** Fluke *** **** ****. ** *** get **** **** * ********* ************ they ******* *** ***********'* ***** **** document.

MM
Michael Miller
Jan 17, 2020

*** * **** ** **** **** pass?

Avatar
Kyle Folger
Jan 16, 2020
IPVMU Certified

* ***'* *** *** **** ***** cables ** * ********, *** * have **** *** ***** ***** ****** for **** ***** ** ****** **** are ******* ** * ******** ***** plate. **** **** ****** ****.

***** ***** ***** *****

******* * **** ********* ***** **** Phone *****

*** ***** ***** ** ******, * like ** *******-********* *' ***** ******.

UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #2
Jan 16, 2020

* **** **** **** ** ******** classes **** * **. * *** 1 - ** ** ****/**** ****** for ****** **** *** *** *** poe+. ******* * **** **** **** at **** ** * ****** *** with * ******* ** ** ******** cable *** ** ******'* ******* ****** power *** * *** **** ***+. The ******** ***** **** **** **** a ******* ** * ******** ***** worked ****.

*** ****** *** ***** ********* *** my ******** *** *** *******, *** I ******'* *** ** *** **** than * ***** *****...

(1)
Avatar
Ian Ginsberg
Jan 16, 2020

* **** **** *** * ******** issue **** **** *** **** *** because ** ***. *** ****** ** troubleshoot * ****** ***** ** *** off ****. *** ****** *** ******* 60 ***** **** ***, *** ****** was ***** *** *** ***/**** *** once * ******* *** ** *** cable *** *** * ******* ***** cable *** ***** **** ****. ***** than **** *** ********, ** ********** has **** ********* ********. *** ***** are * *** **** ********, *** thinness **** **** ************* ****** ** manage *** ******* *** **** *** density ** ***** ** **** ** makes **** **** ****** ** **** around *** ** *** ****** ***** and ***** ******. * **** ******* using **** ** ** ******* ****** for ** ******.

(4)
HB
Harris Bond
Jan 16, 2020

**** ****** ****** ****** *** ***. Most ************* **** ****.

(1)
HB
Harris Bond
Jan 16, 2020

** **** ***** **** "**** *******" so ** ******* ***** ****. * intend ** **** **** ******* *** since *** **** *** ** **** a *** ******* ** *** ************.

HB
Harris Bond
Jan 16, 2020

**** ** *** ******* ***** ** have ***** ** *** **** *** after * *** *** ******* ** replaced *** ** ****.

*** **** ********* **** ***** *** are ****** ** **** ****.

*** ***** ***** ** **** **** patch ******, *** ****** ** * mix ** **** ***** *** *** last ***** ** ***** ******* ***** cables.

(2)
HB
Harris Bond
Jan 16, 2020

**********: ** ******** ****** ****** *** last * ******. *** ****** ******* do *** **** ** *** ******.

UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #3
Jan 16, 2020

***** ******. *'* ********* *****'* ** mention ** *** ***** ** ****** straps.

*** ******** *** ** **** ** an ************ *** **** ** * competant **** ** *** ** *** use ** *** ***** ** * bundle ** *** ****** ******* **** to **** (****) *** **-******* ********.

*** ****** ****** *** ****** *******!

*** "**" ** *** *****!

(6)
JS
Jacob Stroli
Jan 16, 2020

*** **** ** *** ** * have ***** **** ***** ************* **** with ******. ** ** * *** trend?

UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #3
Jan 16, 2020

* *** **** **** * ****** too ****** ** *******.

** *** *** ***** ** *** tie *****, ***'* ******* *** ***** linearity ** ******* *** *** **** too *****. **** *********** ** ******* here -

****** ***’* **** **** | ***** Networks

(2)
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Jan 28, 2020

*** ** *** **** ***** **** then?

UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #3
Jan 16, 2020

* ***'* **** ** **'* * new ***** *** * ****** ******* it *** *** ****** **** *** the ****.

****, ****** ****** ********* ****** ** move, ******, ****** ********, ***/****** ****** with ******** ** **** *** **** and ** **** ** *** *****.

(3)
JM
Jared Martin
Jan 21, 2020

*** ******** *********- *'* ********** ** know ** ****** **** *** ********** using *** ***** ****** "***********", ** Paige ******** (*********** ***** | ******* *********).

** **** *** ***** ***, ****** might *** ** ** * *** coming ** **** ***** ****.

******

Avatar
John Scanlan
Jan 21, 2020
IPVM • IPVMU Certified

***** - ** **** *** ****** GameChanger, ***** **** * ********** ***** ** here.

Avatar
Dave Arnould
Jan 28, 2020

*'** ********* * ******* ** ****** and **** **** ** ** * run *** ** **** *** ****** that ******** ***. *** ************ **** about *****-***** *** ***** *******. ********** I *** ***** ***** *** * lower **** ****** *** ** ***** cut ** *** ***. * *** many ***** ********* **** ***** ******* from ***** **** *******. *** ***** is $$$ *** *** ******* **** running *** ******** ***** *** **** the ***** ******** ********** ****** ** failure.

(1)
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Jan 28, 2020

** *** **** **** ***.* **** max ****** ** *** **. ** also **** **** ******** *****'* *********** stop ** **** ****** ******.

**** ***** ********* **** * *** ft ***, *** *** *** *** reconciled ** *** ********? *** * criticism, ********* *******. ****** **** **** a ********** ******* **** ****'* ********** down ** *** **** ***** ***** so * ******* **** ********* ********* are **** ******* ** **** ** it *****?

Avatar
Dave Arnould
Jan 29, 2020

* ******'* *** ** **** ** it ***** ** ***** ***** ************ means **** *** *** ***** **** is ****** ** *** ****** ******'* be **********. **** ******* **** *** power ****** ** ***** ** *** camera.

* ** ***** *** **** ** would ** **** ** ******* ** the ******** *** **** ******* *** how ** **** ******* **** ** almost ****** *** **** ** ******* box ** *****.

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Jan 30, 2020

***** * ****'* ******* ** ******* clearly ******. **** * *** ********* is *** * *** ** ***** that ** *** **** ** ** certified ** ***.* **** (*.*. ****** 328 **) ** ********* ** *** customer.

**** *'* **** ** *** **** that *** **** ****** *****'* **** at *** **; *********** **** **** ****** ********* *** ****** **** *** ethernet ********* ** **** **** ****. In **** * ***** *** ******** could (*** ******) ** **** **** the *** ** **** ***** ** be ******* ** ********* ****** ****** to ****** ********** ***** ****** *** reliable ****** *****. *******, **** ******* presently **** ******** ****** *** *** that *****'* **** *** *** ** spec.

**** *********** ***** ***** ** **** specifically ****** ****** ** * "***-****" solution **** ***** *******, ***** ** out-of-the-box ******** *** ******** ** * world ********* ** ********* ***** *** certifications. *'* **** ******* *** *** customer ***** ***** **, ** ** they **** ****.

(1)
Avatar
John Scanlan
Jan 31, 2020
IPVM • IPVMU Certified

***** ***** ******* ** *** ** their *** ********** *** ********** *****. ***** ********** **** **** ****, and ***** ****** *** ****** ** firmware *.* ** ***** *** *********** certification *******. **** ***** **** **** support ** ** ~*** ****** / ~650 **. ********* *** **** ****** with ***** ***** ********* ** * Fluke. * ******* ***** ****** *** more ******* ** ********** ***** **** is ****** *** ********'* **************.

(3)
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Jan 31, 2020

**** ***********, ***** ***. * *** am ***** ******* ** ** **** specification *** ***** ***** ** **********, because ****** ***** ***'* ** **** spec *********** *** *********** ***** (*** I **** **** ****).

* ******* ****'** ******** ****** ********* to *** ****** ** *** ** cable "****" **** **** *** **** crosstalk/attenuation/etc. ****** ** **** ***** * CAT5/6 ** ******** ** **** ** 100m. ****'* ******** *** **** *** can ** ******* ********* *** **** for ****** ******, ******** ** **** point **** ***** ** ** ***** that ******* *** ** ***** *******.

(1)