How to Pole Mount Security Cameras and Flood Lights

Over the past eight years of selling security cameras and providing surveillance solutions, one of the most common problems in executing a correct and timely installation is pole mounting your new cameras.

There is still a disconnect on this issue from the manufactures end. They only provide camera installation mounts for the most common camera location installations. Recently a camera manufacture mentioned to me,

"Because locations on, in or around a facility can very so much it's hard to invest in a design for every conceivable location the end user wants for their camera. We're just concerned that our ROI for many different mounts would take forever." - Undisclosed Camera Manufacture

I understand their point of view but certain installation locations at the end users facility have been a common enough problem over the past 5 years to the point they should offer a solution. This seems to be a niche to where a manufacture can offer a solution to the end user and may help to be a preferred camera brand for the installation contractor.

A common installation problem - Pole Mounting! (Check out Blog post for Corner Mounting).

Because this has been such a common problem a company who manufactures no cameras and sells no cameras has identified this as excellent opportunity in providing another installation solution to their contractor customers.

Arlington Industries offers a pole mount box that fits on a rigid pipe that is three to six inches in diameter. Not only can you attach a security camera but you can install detectors, electrical accessories, flood lights and so on.

 

The Arlington 8161PM will hold up to 50 pounds and is made of a non-metallic, UV rated material for long outdoor life. Excellent for interior, exterior, dry, damp or wet locations.

I've been asked for a pole mount solution for a long time and finally, I can offer a solution that also works with many different brands of cameras.

Comment below. Thanks!

"By Mercy Salinas"

Cable management for running wire and cable diagonally

One of the most common problems that arises from wire and cable installations is what to do with a cable run that is long in length and has to run diagonally and you have to properly comply with wiring methods in chapter 3 of the National Electric Code.

When running communication cables horizontally J-Hooks are typically used and your cable run should be spaced at 5 feet or less. Direction and level changes will also require closer spacing. It's a good practice to keep the sag at a maximum of 12 inches.

The J-Hook systems is great for horizontal runs but may cause a problem when running wires diagonally, a good way to do this is by using the Rip-Tie pivoting cable hanger.



Let's check out some features that can benefit you at your facility.

* These cable hangers are easily released and retied so adding and subtracting cables is easy.

* Easy way to keep cable runs segregated from each other.

* Perfect for use in computer sub-floors.

* 10,000 release cycles so you should have these for a long, long time.

* Believe it or not these are made in the USA 

The The RIP-TIE Cable Hanger is a very easy solution to keeping your cabling up to code and keeping that building inspector off your back.

If you have questions about this type of cable run or any other type of cable pathway installation comment below.

Thanks!

"By Mercy Salinas"

Tips for Grounding Telephone Wire and Data Cable

We're going to talk about grounding but remember to select the proper protection for your equipment. Once selected the next step is making sure everything is grounded correctly.

Tip 1: Bonding - Bond or electrically connect together at a single point all of the grounds used for protectors. Typical grounds used for protectors are metal water pipes, grounding rods, well casings, chemical rods, etc. (Double check local building codes for options as local building codes do vary) The communications equipment is typically connected to the power companies multi-grounded neutral (MGN) system and is the best source for a single point ground. Connect the protector (primary and secondary) and cable shield grounds to the equipment grounds (i.e. Multi-Grounded Neutral) with a six AWG solid copper bonding wire.

Tip 2: Physical Connectors - Make sure to use the recommended ground wire size and UL listed ground wire connections. Any ground wire longer than 60 feet in length the next largest wire gauge should be installed. Use a large radius at each bend in the ground wire. DON'T coil the ground wire under any circumstances. Coil wire can act as an inductor that dramatically increase the resistance of the path to ground, jeopardizing the effectiveness of over-voltage devices.

Tip 3: Check Ground System Impedance - There are numerous brands of equipment and methods for checking the integrity of a grounding system. Pick one that test both continuity and the impedance (total resistance) with respect to a true ground. And ideal ground should have an impedance under .250 ohms.

Tip 4: Cable Shields - The metal cable shield should be bonded to the protector/ground systems on both ends of the cable.


Tip 5: Unused Cable Pairs - They must be grounded on the unprotected side of the protector.

Tip 6: Campus Building - Treat each building independently. Do all of these tips in each building.

The effectiveness of all over-voltage protectors relies in a path of least resistance for "dumping" transient voltages. The higher the resistance to ground the higher the true activation level is for a protector and the lower the better.

Special thanks to ITW Linx and you can order burial cable, lightning protection and everything else for your installation at Discount Low Voltage

(We do ship to 40 countries)


"By Mercy Salinas"

Is there an equivalent to Belden 6506FE? Yes!

When looking at the technical and data sheet for Belden part number 6506FE it mentions for commercial applications. So we dug into what types of commercial applications has this type of cable been installed by our contractor customers.

Burglar Alarm installations: Is a system designed to detect intrusion -- unauthorized entry -- into a building or area. They are also called security alarms, security systems, intrusion detection systems, perimeter detection systems, and similar terms.

Public Address Systems installations: An electronic amplification system used as a communication system in public areas.

Intercom Installation: A two-way communication system with a microphone and loudspeaker at each station for localized use.

Telephone Stations Installations: A system of electronic components that connects telephone calls.

Speakers: An electro-acoustic transducer that produces sound in response to an electrical audio signal input. Non-electrical loudspeakers were developed as accessories to telephone systems.

Instrumentation: Electrical, electronic and control system applications.

Now let's take a look at this Belden cable. A 22 AWG bare copper conductor, 8 conductors, overall tape shield and foil side out, drain wire, ripcord. Ladies and Gentlemen we have a match! Tappan Wire and Cable part number 2280AB8M/CMP spec number P20037


This equivalent by Tappan Wire and Cable is made in the USA and will save you a nice chuck of change. With that extra money you should take out that "special lady friend".


"By Mercy Salinas"