Security cameras for homes are slowly gaining popularity to most homeowners as they provide the much needed security. surveillance camera installation properly and well positioned act as your watchdogs and provide evidence in case of an incidence. But when security cameras are installed inappropriately, they pose problems such as blind spots, connectivity issues, and weather damage among others.
We will discuss 10 tips on how best to select the right places to set up home security cameras as well as how to install them correctly. Using these best practices will ensure that your camera has the best coverage and performance so that the system has what you need at the right time.
Where Are The Best Locations To Install Outdoor Security Cameras?
When installing home security cameras, you want to ensure that you get the best vantage points to see everything going on at home. Set up cameras covering three key areas: doors, perimeters and active areas.
surveillance camera installation at the front and back doors to observe visitors and document porch crimes. Position cameras around the points of the perimeter to capture events near the gate and fence. Yard-viewing cameras should be installed to capture both the shed and the detached garage. Some outdoor cameras can cover more areas in their range of vision due to their wider angle lens.
How to determine where to install indoor security cameras?
In a home, indoor security cameras primarily target the front doors, living areas and the rooms containing valuables. Tilt an entryway camera towards the door to view the people visiting you. Make sure to have a back door camera to be able to monitor that entrance and also the yard.
Focus on large living spaces such as lounges, kitchens, and hallways. For monitoring many rooms from a single view try wide-angle ceiling-mounted cameras.
What Height Should I Mount Security Cameras At?
Outdoor surveillance camera installation should be mounted at a height of eight to ten feet. This enables people in your property to be captured in mid-body shots to head shots while at the same time covering a decent landscape view.
Indoor cameras are best mounted at a height of seven to eight feet. In this way, the camera can see faces and room activities but cannot be tampered with. Lower angles slightly to counteract the height difference.
How do I make sure my cameras have a clear, sharp vision?
Do not place objects that may interfere with the vision of the camera in front of the camera. Cut bushes, trees and branches that are in front of the camera.
Ensure that there is no glare from the sun or any artificial light – adjust the position of the lights or cameras if there is lens flare.
Cleaning the glass outside the camera housing should also be done on a regular basis to maintain the lens. Last but not least, limit your camera’s FOV to priority areas rather than extending coverage to areas of low interest at very wide angles.
What Type of Electrical Power Supply Does Security Cameras Require?
Security cameras are expected to work round the clock, and this is only possible if they receive a steady supply of electrical power. Many outdoor cameras are connected to an outlet with a surge protector to prevent any accidental fires.
For remote backyard or peripheral locations, use solar-powered security cameras charged by built-in solar panels. Some of the components of the indoor cameras such as wires connected to the cameras can draw power from any available electrical outlet within the house.
How to connect security cameras to Wi-Fi?
Today’s indoor and outdoor IP security cameras often include Wi-Fi connectivity, making surveillance camera installation easy and avoiding on-site cabling. Cameras must be within the standard operating range of Wi-Fi, roughly 100 feet of sightline distance from your wireless router or access points. The other is to download the companion mobile application from the camera manufacturer’s website to be guided through the connection and pairing process.
What Factors Contribute to the Ability of Security Cameras to Resist Weathering and Moisture?
You need to fix the cameras with cases that have an IP/IP International Protection rating of 65 or 66. This makes them ideal to be installed in areas that are exposed to weather conditions such as rain, snow and wind.
Power cables from outdoors should be directed into the camera housings in a downward manner with drip loops so that water cannot flow along the wires and into the jacks. Check for cracks in housings that may allow moisture to get in.
How Do I Protect My Camera from Extreme Cold and Heat?
High or low ambient outside temperature can shrink or swell plastics, distort lenses, freeze moving parts and overheat internal circuitry. Almost all outdoor security cameras have operating temperature ranges such as -22° to 140° showing the min/max conditions they endure. Other models have heaters that are controlled by internal thermostats as well as internal fans to control internal heat.
For extreme locales, mount cameras beneath overhead porch roofs or eaves that are shaded and protected.
In a hot desert like environment, the external camera housings to be selected should be of low heat absorbent or preferably of light colors. There are heated and ventilated camera accessories which create yet another barrier of heat and weather protection in the car.
Can I Install Security Cameras Myself Or Should I Hire A Professional?
Security cameras can be installed by most DIY homeowners. However, for complex camera installations such as whole-home wired systems with multiple cameras, centralized monitoring, and comprehensive features, professional installation is advised.
Which type of cable connection is most preferable for home use?
For professional surveillance camera installation it is recommended to use CAT 5e or CAT6 ethernet cables to transmit high bandwidth video data from camera to NVR or DVR recording device.
For DIY projects, flexible RG6 coaxial cables with BNC connectors can also carry good video signals for a distance of a couple hundred feet without signal loss or interference often at cheaper prices.
FAQs:
What security camera resolution is sufficient?
High definition 1080p resolution offers accuracy of details while 720p resolution is still capable of identifying facial features and license plates. VGA/480p is sufficient for regions that do not require high-quality images.
How vulnerable are security cameras to hacking?
Firewalls that encrypt the data transmission to keep electronic spies away from cameras are very secure. Make sure your cameras and Wi-Fi network have strong passwords.
What does the system do when it detects motion?
When cameras detect motion in their monitored area, they can send live video feed to the monitoring center, sound audible alarms through sirens or smart home hubs, record short video clips to the cloud or a local storage for further review or send notifications to the homeowner’s smartphone. Activity triggers tailored responses.