Installation of AHD camera system

Camera installation and placement

Up to this point, everything has been more or less virtual and even if you already have an idea of the camera placement, we recommend that you always test the planned placement. Plug in the recording equipment and connect the monitor and camera to a longer cable. Get someone to hold the camera at the planned location, or be able to set it up and point it to get a shot that suits. If you are on a ladder at this point, take care ;-)

Assembling a security camera yourself is a fairly simple affair. The camera usually comes with a bracket with holes prepared and the package also includes dowels and screws for wall/ceiling mounting. Attach the camera in place and trace the holes in the bracket on the wall. Using a suitable drill bit, drill a hole according to the diameter of the dowel and insert it into the hole at the same time as the wall. Attach the camera and tighten it to the wall with the screws provided. Some cameras have the cable routed through the centre of the bracket.

Either we file this cable into a milled curve in the edge of the bracket and pull it in, or we pull the cable through the wall to where the connectors may connect. If the wall is wider than the length of the wires coming out of the bracket, we recommend purchasing a cable box. If you are installing outdoors and there is a risk of water and dirt getting into the cable joints. These can cause oxidation of the connection and loss of the image or a short circuit that could damage the power supply or camera.

If you are making preparations for cameras before insulating the building, we recommend the Insulation Mounting Plate.

Mounting and cabling

Whether you have chosen off-the-shelf cables that are already machine fitted with the necessary connectors from the factory, or you have chosen the more professional route of a multi-cable and connector kit, it is always important to design the optimum route for each camera. It is recommended to avoid longer (over 100m) runs or crossings of high voltage cables that may cause distortions in the image.

Also, it is important to leave sufficient margin, to carefully attach connectors and to properly seal the joints against moisture ingress. Think also, especially in older buildings, of the possibility of rodent damage to the wiring. Cable boxes, which we offer for most models of security cameras, are the ideal solution for connecting the supply cable and the camera cable.

Mounting the connectors on the multi-cable is very easy. All you need is a small flat screwdriver and a knife and you're set. The exact procedure can be found in the video below.

Extending the cable for AHD/Analog camera system

It is always a good idea to implement the wiring for AHD camera systems in one unbroken piece. However, unless a situation arises where it is necessary to extend the wiring, several components are required:

2pcsF connector
F/F connector - connects the F connectors for the video signal
Power connectors Samec Samec

We do not recommend extending hot cables. The cross-section of the wires is not sufficient for extension and may mean that the camera will not work properly.

Alternative signal routing using "Twist converters" (baluns)

If you do not want to or cannot (for example, due to space) use coax-based cables, there is a solution in the form of a combination of UTP/FTP cables with UTP converters.

Converter types:

With power - the converter is usually adapted for an RJ45 connector and you can transmit the video signal over one UTP cable and power the camera at the same time.

Without power - the converter only transmits the video signal over one pair of wires from the UTP cable. Therefore, it is possible to transmit the signal from up to 4 cameras at the same time over one UTP cable up to a distance of about 200m.

Location and connection of the XVR recording device

It is important to keep the recording equipment in an environment that is clean and dry, with temperatures within the range specified in the manual (typically between +5 and 45°C). It can be placed either horizontally or vertically, but it is important to ensure that ventilation for cooling the hard disk and other electronics is not blocked. The ideal location may be in an enclosure with good air circulation or simply in an open area. When selecting a location, consider that the device should be mouse controlled with the ability to view the image on a connected monitor or television. Placing the main monitor in a different room from the recorder is not recommended due to the difficulty of operating it without visual inspection. If you need to place the recorder elsewhere, it can also be set up via the web interface and apps.

The power supply is included with the recorder. Plug the power supply into a wall outlet and insert the connector into the recorder. The device should start to boot (some models need to toggle the central power switch on the back or press the Power button on the front). Connect the BNC connectors that feed the video signal from the cameras to the device. The device is equipped with multiple inputs. Each input has its own number. This number subsequently presents the position where the camera will be on the screen when the quad mode is switched on (the screen is divided into squares, each of which shows one security camera). The screen should show each image in turn.

Where to go next?

Need help with installation? Feel free to contact our technical team at support@patronum.eu