Backboxes For Cameras Or Not?

Hello,

        This really depends on the type of installation and more specifically the location of the camera. Obviously if the installation was outside it would need to be nema 4 rated to house the connections themselves for the camera but not necessarily the back box for camera itself as it depends on the mounting location and type of mount. I do not believe the NEC code covers a specific back box for a camera installation as most installations are low voltage. In older cameras that may require more power for heaters the NEC code would apply only for the circuit in question but not how the camera is mounted. So if outside exposed to elements a box rated nema 4 of some kind would be needed to house any connections and power. I hope this helps 

Thank you for your response. For this particular discussion, it concerns interior cameras but your input about the exterior will be used as apart of the conversation.

Thanks again!

There generally is no code requirement for a camera backbox, nor is it really cited in standards I'm aware of. It's mainly a matter of preference, so that cables are better managed and cameras installed properly, such as in the case of using a fixture box with a tile bridge to contain connections and screw the dome into:

However, if the ceiling is a plenum space (used for return air) and you recess cameras into it, you must use a plenum rated backbox. You cannot leave a non-plenum camera and connection exposeds in the plenum.

For cameras which aren't ceiling mounted, it's a matter of preference and usability. I personally prefer putting a backbox in if the camera is made to mount to it. It's a lot cleaner and sturdier to me to mount things to a gang box than to hold it in with a couple wall anchors. But others may disagree, and wall construction may not always allow putting a box in (e.g. block or brick).

I might add what you can do in old construction without inspectors versus new construction can be significantly different. 

Cameras mounted to grid or tiles in Los Angeles are supposed to be supported with wires to the ceiling.  

The grid mount shown nyberg Ethan works with a support wire. (no, not the Cat5e)

certain iterations of the IBC require this.  The devices installed in the ceiling must be supported by a means other than the ceiling tile itself (sorry, nowhere near my book).

It also states that the device must be self supported to the deck if the tile is removed.  This all is in an effort to keep the area as safe as possible.  In a fire,or water intrusion, those tiles come down quickly to reveal everything above them.  The camera will come with it, and depending on its size, swing like a large pendulum and injure someone.

It is also in an effort to keep the building appearance.  Tiles that are used as the support for items such as cameras will develop a sag, and really make the building look poor quickly.

If possible, I always use a T-bar, and box in tiled ceilings.  In gyp, a box of some sort as well.  

This is a situation of how to you prove a negative.

I do not believe NEC or IBC states anything directly for this. In fact they don't really address security cameras/access control/alarms at all. But they all fall under low voltage electrical standards as well as various other general standards. 

Like others have said if it's in ceiling it needs to be self supporting. Mounted to a stud or wire in tbar ceiling (you may be able to not have the wire if it's under a certain weight. Code calls for a specific weight for anything. Either way also has to be on supported off of the tbar grid not the tile themselves. If anything is in or poking through a plenum rated ceiling it must be made of plenum rated material. If it's mounted in a fire rated wall then it should be mounted to a backbox with conduit and the conduit penetrations have me fire rated. 

Depending on the situation you don't have to - or may not want to - use a back box but still need to mount to something. These would be good to use. Cheaper then a back box but still strong enough. And easier to fish wires in (non-fire rated) wall.