IP Camera Cabling Installation Guide

By John Scanlan, Published on Aug 29, 2018

This guide teaches how to install network cabling for IP cameras, including:

  • Estimating cable run length (with video tutorial)
  • Accounting for vertical length
  • Tracking cable remaining (with video tutorial)
  • Selecting a staging location (with video tutorial)
  • The importance of labeling
  • Basics of using push rods (with video tutorial)
  • Fishing walls/dropping cables (with video tutorial)

Estimate ***** *** ******

****** *** ***** *** pulled ** **** *******, it ** ********* ** estimate *** ****** ****** of *** **** ** be *********. ************* ********** frequently ******* ***** **** only ** **** ** short *** **** ** re-pull.

***** *** ******* **** to ** ****, ** order ** ********:

  • ********* ******:*** **** ******** *** to ******** ***** *** length ** **** ********** ********* *** ***** ***** the ****** ** ***** device **** ** ********* to ***** *** **** end/NVR/switch **** ** *******. Wheels *** **** ******** than ***** ******* ***** require **** *********.
  • ***** ******* *****:*** **** ******** *** to ******* *** ****** is ** ******** **** ceiling *****, ***** *** a ***** **** (*'**' or *'**' ** ***** America *** ***** ** Europe. ******* ***** *** simply ** ******* ***** the ***** **** *** totaled ** ******* ** accurate ******** ** ******.
  • **** ** ***:*******, **** ** ***** options *** ********* ** for **** ***** *********, installers *** **** *** cable **** *** ***** steps, **** **** **** equating ** ******* **". However, **** ****** ** riskiest, ** ********* ****** have ****** ** ******* pace ****** *** *** get **** ********* *******, especially ** **** ****.

Add ******** ******

** ******** ** *** horizontal ***** ********, ********** should **** **** **** include ***** ****** *** vertical ******** ** *** cable ***, ** **** down * **** ** the ****** ********, **** a **** ** ** terminated, ***. * **** rule ** ***** ** 10' ** **** ***, though **** ********** *** prefer ****** *** ******* loops ** ****** ** be **** **** **** enough ***** ** *********.

Mark ***** ***/***** **** ******

******* *** *** ******** coming ** ***** ** to **** *** ***** boxes ** ****** ***** each *** **** *** much ***** *******. **** also ***** ******** **** supplies **** ********* ***** you *** ****** *** which *** ** ***** you ***** *** *** a ******** *** ** runs.

Staging *****

*** ** *** ******* mistakes **** ****** *** cables *** **** ****** is ******* ** ******** stage ******, ****** ***** more *********, ****** ***** cost *** ********** *** likelihood ** ****** ***** pulled ***** ** *******.

**** ******* ***** *****, there *** * *** guidelines ** ******:

  • **** ** *** *****: The **** ***** **** which ** **** ***** is **** ** *** point, *.*., * ****** location ** ***** ***** location. **** ***** ******* to ****, *** *****, some ********** *** ****** it ** ****** ** start ****** *** ***** off ***** *** **** in *** ******** *********. This ****** ** ****** more ********* *** ****** to **** ** ********* or ****** *****.
  • ****** ****** *****: ******, cable **** ****** ** set ** ** * location ***** ********** ** many ******* ** ********. Corners ****** ******* ** additional **** ** ****** with *** **** ** for * ***** **** to ** ****** *** managed, **** ** ***** increase **** ** **********.
  • *** ** *** *** of *******: *******, *** best ******* ****** *** out ** *** *** of ****** ******** *******. Pulling ***** ** ** active ****** ** ****** disruptive *** ** **** cases *********, ** ***** cables *** * **** hazard. ******* ** ***** in * **** **** area ** ********* ** work ** **** ****** normal *****.

*** ***** ***** ************ picking * ********* ***** to ***** *** *** / ***** ** *****. The ******** ******** ****** most ** *** ***** drop ** ** *** from **** ******** ***** and **** ****** ***** more **° *****. ***** the ******** ** *** run ** ******, *** final **' ** ***** the ****** **** *** then *** ** *** MDF. ******** ***** ***** helps **** ******** ** off *** ***** *** will **** ****** ****** burn / ****.

Label *** ******

****** *** ***** *****/***** should ** ******* ***** to ******* **** * unique **********. **** ***** be ** ****** ** 1, *, *, *, etc. ** ***** *******, but *** ******* **** complex ********* ** ***** where ****** *** ** staggered ** ***** *** to ********* ********* (****-*, C114-2, ****-*, ****-*, ***.).

**** ** ******* **** which ** ***** **********, with **** ***** ****** saying **** ******** ****** ****** ***** ** identify ****, *** ****** not ******* ******** ****, leading ** ********* ******* 1s *** ** ** 2s *** **, ***.

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

*** ** *** **** common ***** *** ******* cables ** ****** **** commonly ****** **** ******, push ****, ** **** sticks. ****** **** **** the ***** **** **** hand ***** ******** **** enable *** ********* ** span ******** **** ~*' and ** ** **** 30' ** * ****.

***** ******* * *** some ******** ** *** be ********* ** **** it ** *** *** location. *** *** *** have ******** **** *** intended ****** ** *** have *** ** ***********. Glow ** *** **** wire **** **** **** this *****, ******* ******* in * **** *******, shown *****.

***** *** ********* ** *** ************** **** ****. ***** small ******* ******* **** attach ** *** ***** end ** *** **** rod *** **** ** easier *** *** ** your ****** ** ****** the *** ** *** rod.

Push *** ***********

**** ******** *** **** common, *******, **** **** can ***** *** ***** on *** ******* **** or ***** ************. **** costs **** *** ** is **** *********** ** whip ** ****** *** rod **** *********** ***** obstruction. ** ****** ***** issues, ********** *** *** special *********** *** *** push **** ***** **** it ****** **** *********, called ** *** ****** or ***** ** ** some ***** ****** * ball.

Vertical ****

*** ******** ******* ** cable ************ *** **** the ******* ***** ** typically **** ***** * 10' ******* ** *** entire ****, ******* ******* a ***** ** ** down * **** *** easily ** *** **** challenging ****, **** **** like **** *******, *********, various ********** ***** ***** must ** *******.

*********, ** ** ******* and ****** ** **** a ***** **** *** to ******. **** ** because *** ****** **** is ******* ****** ** the ******** ***** *** jack ** **** **** be ********* **** *** smaller **** **** ** enter *** ****. *******, there *** ** ***** where *** ***** ** easier ** **** **** the **** ******** ** a **** *** ******* of ********** ** **** up *** ****.

*************, ***** ** ** true **** ******** *** how ** ********* *** a ***** ****** ** fished, ***** ** *** be ****** *** *** practice ******* ** ****** a ******** ******. ********** should ****** ** ***** some **** *********** *** best **** *** **** drop *** *** ****** that *** ***** ** a ******** *** *** same.

** *********** *** ****** of ******* ** * typical **** (********* ******* on ***** *****) ** this *****.

Wear **** *****

********** ******* ***** ******** ladder **** *** ***** your ***** ** **** or **** *** *****, drag ****, ** ****. Installation **** ******** **** tools *.*. *****, ***** drivers, ***** **** ****, crimper, ********** ****. ** will **** **** *** frustration ** *** **** a ******** ** **** sheath. ***** ** *** down ****** ** ******* around * *** **** to ***** ***** ** inefficient *** **************.

Further *******

***** * ***** ** run, ** **** ** properly **********. ** **** to ***** **** ***** with ************** ** ** upcoming ******. ******* ****** also ********** ********** *** ** Cameras ******** ******* ** *****, mod *****, *** ***** connector *****.

***** ****** *** ********* and **********, ******* *** be *********, ******* ** detail ** *** ***************** **** ******* ******************** *** ******* *******.

*******, ********** **** ********* *********** ********** ****** *** discussed ****, ********* ***** management, ***** ****** ******, floorplan *************, *** ****.

Comments (15)

Undisclosed Manufacturer #1

08/29/18 11:23am

I believe it would be valuable to review the difference between the multiple types of cabling links and their certification tests (channel link, permanent link, modified single connector permanent link).  This is a key component of cabling installation for IP Physical Security Solutions, and I believe the most misunderstood.

Avatar

John Scanlan

IPVM | IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #1 | 08/29/18 11:44am

U1, thank you for the suggestion. We are currently working on the IP Camera Cabling Termination Guide (jacks, mod tips, patch panels, etc.), but we have another guide planned which will cover testing and certification where this will be covered. 

Undisclosed #2

08/29/18 05:16pm

Why not go wireless on everything?! (Sarcasm intended)

Good tutorial. Thanks.

Undisclosed #3

In reply to Undisclosed #2 | 08/30/18 03:35pm

What's the Belden # on wireless 2 AWG?

 

(Sarcasm given)

Undisclosed Integrator #4

In reply to Undisclosed #2 | 09/11/18 07:51am

Yes!  Of course!

What could be so hard about not running cables? (Sarcasm also intended)

Avatar

Lee Zanter

IPVMU Certified | 08/30/18 12:13am

Ive been running cable for 15 yrs.  I have found a gopher pull has been my goto for running cable down hallways, to be honest pretty much everywhere.  I only use flexible rods in tight areas and for fishing walls.  I do not use it like they show.  I tie it to the back and push it down the hallway. Count 10 to 12 ceiling tiles and open up there and continue to push on.  It saves me so much time.  Get one!  

Avatar

Bobby Mancia Jr.

MIZELA Corporation
IPVMU Certified | 09/02/18 01:48am

You might want to add Laser Distance Meter for more convenient measurement of the length of the cable run.  

Avatar

Kyle Folger

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Bobby Mancia Jr. | 09/04/18 08:14pm

Agreed, I recently upgraded from my old one that didn't work when it was too hot or too cold. These weren't extreme temperatures either. 

I went with the Leica DISTO D2. So far it works well and works at greater distances when compared to my previous one. 

I also have the wheel (I just don't like hauling it around), have counted the ceiling tiles, and my natural stride is 1.9' (I'm not 6' tall). I generally use whatever method is the fastest. Often times you just need to be close on cable length and doesn't need to be exact. I'd much rather have 20' too long than 20' too short. Cable is often times cheap and is generally always cheaper than labor.

I recently ordered pre-terminated armored fiber so I needed to be pretty accurate. I created my pull path and ran pull tape with foot markings on it and worked well and allowed me to get my desired service loop. 

Rob Dunham

Tailored IT Solutions
11/01/18 04:42pm

It's not the industry's first book or course. There's actually some really good video courses out there already.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Rob Dunham | 11/01/18 06:20pm

Rob, thanks for your feedback. What specific courses on video surveillance installation would you recommend?

Rob Dunham

Tailored IT Solutions
In reply to John Honovich | 11/01/18 06:36pm

John, this one comes to mind. It has a kind of "safety video" feel, but the content is actually really good.

http://www.cablepullingcourse.com

Undisclosed Integrator #5

03/26/19 08:27pm

I have found it easier to run the snake up the wall like he demonstrated in the video. but what he first said "tying onto the snake above the ceiling and then pushing down to your wall plate" I find that not to be helpful. especially when you have insulation in the wall. just my opinion.

Avatar

Robert Forte

IPVMU Certified | 03/26/19 08:29pm

I have found it easier to run the snake up the wall like he demonstrated in the video. but what he first said "tying onto the snake above the ceiling and then pushing down to your wall plate" I find that not to be helpful. especially when you have insulation in the wall. just my opinion.

Avatar

Kyle Folger

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Robert Forte | 03/27/19 01:21am

It all depends on the wall which direction I go. If I'm in an attic where I can clearly see the header. I will drill down from above and stick fish rods down to the plate for someone to grab. If the situation is as shown in the video, I will cut into the wall, install the LV ring and use fish rods up.

I use fish tape only for conduit and generally prefer the fiberglass, but will use the metallic fish tape for longer runs just because the fiberglass is physically larger. I keep both in my van. I use two types of fish rods; the orange Klein rods are helpful for longer runs when I need more rigidity. I use the LSD Creep-Zit rods for a lot of wall fishing when I need ultimate flexibility. I don't break many of these and they last a long time. I have bought two sets in probably 10 years.

Tan Tharp

08/13/20 01:18pm

The egg beater attachment for the fish sticks seem so useful, as well as the light-up head attachment. I have been in several situations where I would have been much better off with the egg-beater attachment!

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