Which cable to buy for a video surveillance system - types and main characteristics.

Coaxial cable

RK-75-1,5-11
RK-75-2-11

rk75-4-11

Coaxial cable boasts the widest distribution and popularity. Inside it there is a copper core, surrounded by a layer of foam dielectric, covered, in turn, with a special protective shell (screen).

The purpose of the shielding layer is to prevent the negative effects of interference during signal transmission. Common types of coaxial cables used in the installation of video surveillance systems include products of the RK series, namely 75-2-13, 75-4-12, as well as a number of analogues of foreign manufacturers of the RG series - 6, 11 and 59.

When choosing a cable, consider the following features - the installation location, as well as the required length. If the video camera is located at a great distance from the recorder (beyond 250-300 m), the signal may weaken during transmission. It is worth remembering here that the thinner and longer the cable, the more significantly the transmitted signal is attenuated.

Consider a number of recommendations regarding the product used and the length of the gasket:

• RK-75-1.5-11 is used if the distance to the video camera does not exceed 50 m.
• RK-75-2-11 is suitable at a distance of 300 meters from the recorder.
• RK-75-4-11. The use of this cable is allowed when the video camera is located at a distance of 600 m from the fixing device.

As for foreign analogues, such as RG-59 or 6U, they can be used at a distance between the recorder and video camera of 600 and 650 m, respectively. To avoid mistakes when choosing, it is important to carefully study the characteristics of the cable and take into account the features of its installation.

Pay attention to the material of the center conductor - it should be made of copper. If this is not the case, the transmitted signal will be too weak. In addition, when choosing, focus on the following characteristics:

• Flexibility. If during the installation process you plan to bend the product at several points, it is advisable to buy a cable with a multi-core “core”, which allows you to bend it without the risk of damage.
• Anti-interference level (shield must be provided).
• Resistance (wave). There are two options here - 50 and 75 Ohms. When installing a video surveillance system, a cable with a rating of 75 Ohms is used.
• The degree of signal attenuation.

The advantages of coaxial cables include noise immunity and versatility. They can be used to transmit audio and video signals. Disadvantages include the need for high costs for the purchase of connecting devices (connectors), fragility and restrictions on the length of the gasket.

Structure and visual differences between different cable brands:

The central conductor is single-core or stranded. Aluminum foil is used for the technical screen. The second and main screen is stranded copper braid, tinned copper is also used (RG-6 in the image).

The dielectric material used to make cables is most often cellular polyethylene; the honeycombs are formed by air bubbles. A cable with such a dielectric has less mass and less damping (suppression of vibrations), but is more susceptible to mechanical damage.

A general-purpose coaxial cable with a polyethylene foam dielectric can be operated at temperatures from -25 to 75ºС without consequences. But its bending radius during installation must be at least five cable diameters.

The most practical cable for signal transmission is a cable with a single center conductor, but if there are many bends in the line, it is recommended to use a cable with a multi-core center conductor.

Crimping tool and connectors for connecting coaxial cable

twisted pair

The use of twisted pair cables became widespread with the advent of computers. This type of cable is used when connecting a PC to the Network, installing digital surveillance cameras, various electronic devices and when creating computer networks. Structurally, a twisted pair consists of eight thin wires, which are combined in pairs and covered with a common sheath on top.

UTP FTP STP

Depending on the design, the following types of such cables are distinguished:

• UTP is the simplest type of product that does not have a protective screen. This cable has a low price, but it is not resistant to interference, so when laying in close proximity to electrical wiring, it is recommended to use other types (with high noise immunity).
• FTP is a cable with a common protective sheath of foil. The presence of a screen allows installation in close proximity to the wiring without worrying about interference. During installation and operation, it is important to monitor the integrity of the foil, avoiding excessive bending. External cable protection is provided using solid polyethylene or PVC.
• STP. A feature of products of this type is the presence of a more powerful screen (copper braid is used). In addition, the conductors in the cable are also made of solid copper, insulated with polyolefin and have a personal foil shield. Fire-resistant polyvinyl chloride is used as external insulation. An STP cable is the best option when the video camera is connected at a distance of more than 90 m from the recorder and in the presence of a lot of interference.

When choosing, pay attention to a number of characteristics - the diameter of each conductor, the speed of information transfer, the type of outer sheath, as well as the number of cores (single- or multi-core).

The advantages of the cable are ease of installation, low cost (when compared with a coaxial product), the ability to transmit a “picture” over a distance of up to 3000 m, as well as wide functionality. The disadvantages are the low level of protection against interference (for some types), as well as the need to install amplifiers when installing video surveillance over long distances.

Technology selection

5 years ago, when there was a question of choosing between analog and ip, everyone tried to go towards full-fledged digital, if the budget allowed, because the resolution of the former barely reached 0.3 megapixels (if you convert 700 lines to MP). Today, the resolution of analog cameras reaches IP values, but of course they still lose in terms of image formation, but in most cases this difference plays a role only on the professional stage, where the issue of the quality of the transmitted image is based on the inability to miss any important detail, for example at the airport. I’m not talking about the budget segment of IP devices, but about the premium class, which has in its structure complex anti-light modules, dynamic noise reduction, and various analytical capabilities.

Analogue or IP?

It’s a complex question that requires a lot of thought; a whole Talmud of articles has been published on our website telling about the advantages of certain things, let’s get to the point.

Need video analytics? → IP; Need not? → Analogue

Need to record to cloud storage? → IP; No need? → Analogue

Repairs have been made, video surveillance is needed, running wires is not an option → IP (Wireless wi-fi cameras)

No knowledge of computer networks? → Analogue; Eat? - IP

Do you need cameras to operate at a distance of 150 to 500 meters without additional amplifiers and complex circuits? → Analogue

Everyone must make their own choice, but it is important to understand that there is a significant difference, for example, in picture quality between a 2 megapixel analog camera with a Sony matrix for 2500 rubles and a 2 megapixel IP camera for 5000 rubles on an incomprehensible Chinese matrix.

Correct supply of voltage to CCTV cameras is the key to trouble-free and long-lasting operation of all systems. It is believed that 12 volts ± 10% should be supplied to the camera; in fact, for some models, operating at 10.8 - 11 volts is not critical, and anything lower or higher leads to rapid breakdown of the device.

Since a voltage drop occurs in the cross-section of the cable over long distances, instead of 12 volts, for example, 9 volts can reach the camera, therefore you need to be able to calculate the resistivity of the conductor in order to predict the voltage value that reaches the device.

Below is a table of voltage values ​​at different distances for different brands of cables.

Combination cable

KVK-V-2

KVK-2P

When connecting analog video cameras, a combined cable is usually used. Essentially, this is the classic coaxial type, which is combined in an insulating sheath with 2 or 4 conductors. It is used to solve the following tasks: connecting a microphone, transmitting control signals, and supplying power to the camera. The disadvantages of a combined cable include the high price and the need to connect the video camera to a separate power supply. On the other hand, it is noise-resistant and can be laid over long distances. The most popular types of devices are KVK-V-2 and KVK-2P.

DVR and hard drive

The DVR is used in both local and remote (combined) video surveillance systems. The latter allow you to simultaneously receive a video image on the screen of a remote computer or mobile device via an Internet connection. You can use a small computer or laptop as a DVR. But given the high power of these devices, we would recommend purchasing special low-current equipment designed for home video surveillance systems.

If you use a 3G modem to transfer data to a remote device, then the computer will be a bad assistant in this case.

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On a PC with network access through a mobile operator (with 3G modems), a connection failure often occurs, which cannot be restored without user intervention.

A special DVR should be purchased in such a way that the number of its channels corresponds to the number of video cameras in your system.

If the system will use several cameras, and the recorder has only one network input, then the connection of the cameras and the video recorder must be made through a POE switch (Switch, also called a hub), which can simultaneously serve as a power supply for the video cameras.

If you decide to install a combined video surveillance system, then a DVR that supports P2P technology is exactly what you need. It will allow you to simultaneously record and monitor an object via the Internet. Remote monitoring will be carried out without connecting to a static IP address and without the need to perform complex settings on your home router. For these purposes, software offered by the device manufacturer and a special service are used. Some call the P2P service cloud, but this is not entirely true, since the system does not allow storing, but only viewing information from video cameras through various devices.

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The method is P2P “cloud”. The cloud does not require a “white” IP. For it, the usual dynamic one, which we use in modems of cellular operators, is sufficient. The DVR interacts with the corresponding website and the user, knowing the unique ID number of the device, connects to it through this website. It is clear that in this case the registrar MUST support this service. NOTHING IS STORED IN THE “CLOUD”! This service acts only as a free communication scheme. All information is written only to the registrar! From there you can watch the recording or download it to your computer or tablet.

To record, we just have to choose a reliable hard drive. The larger its capacity, the longer it will produce continuous recording. If you have more than 2 cameras installed, then it is advisable to choose a disk with a capacity of at least 1 Terabyte. The features of its connection to the DVR will depend on the design of the latter.

If you don't intend to monitor locally, you will still need to connect a monitor to the device to set up the DVR.

For IP video surveillance

UTP cable with RJ-45 connectors

In addition to the USB cable discussed above, another type of product is used for IP surveillance cameras. We are talking about a UTP cable with RJ-45 connectors installed at the edges. The main advantage is the possibility of using one twisted pair cable for the entire video surveillance system with the mandatory installation of a special switch.

In this case, the cameras are powered in one of three ways - by connecting individual cables to each device by installing a power supply or by using unused twisted pair wires. The last method is relevant for cases where the video camera and switch support PoE technology.

Choosing a video camera

Some people may be faced with the question of choosing between analog, WI-FI and IP cameras. Considering the main advantages of the latter, most experts recommend creating home video surveillance systems that are initially equipped with digital equipment.

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Currently, IP cameras have become cheaper, and it would be reasonable to build a system based on them. Pros: ease of installation and ease of communication, since both the video signal and power can be supplied over cheap UTP twisted pair cable. That is, in this case we save significantly on laying communications. Well, again, IP cameras do not require a video capture card, the software is available in a free version, and the server can be assembled inexpensively. All this can be easily equipped with a UPS that will power both the server and the cameras. The result is an inexpensive, fault-tolerant and high-quality system with simple setup, demonstrating the high quality of the resulting image.

About cameras that transmit signals using WI-FI: read the advice of a specialist who professionally installs video surveillance systems.

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Wi-Fi in CCTV systems is EVIL! I advise you not to use or design such systems. They demonstrate poor resistance to interference, zero control of signal reception, and equipment freezes during operation. In addition to everything, Wi-Fi is now accessible to almost any student. But such a system still cannot be done without laying power cables.

In order for the video camera to clearly record the situation near the observed object at any time of the day (especially in the absence of external lighting), the device must be equipped with infrared illumination.

IP cameras equipped with a motion sensor can save recording hard drive space and your energy costs by only recording when motion is detected. They can operate in various modes (including continuous recording mode).

Useful tips for choosing

In conclusion, we highlight the main recommendations that will help with the correct choice of cable for video surveillance:

• When installing IP cameras, the best solution is to use a UTP cable with an RJ-45 connector.
• For analogue video surveillance, the classic “coaxial” is suitable if the distance between the camera and the recorder is no more than 100-300m.
• In a situation where signal transmission and power supply are carried out via one cable, it is better to use a combined option.
• If you use a large number of cameras, you should use STP, FTP or UTP cables. Here, focus on distance and the need for protection from interference.
• For outdoor cameras, use products with a protective shell made of rigid polyethylene. When installing a video surveillance system inside various structures, a cable with a PVC sheath is suitable. If you need to mount an external system, it is desirable that the cable structure has a steel cable, which provides greater strength to the product (relevant if there is an air laying).

Which one is better to choose?

Which cable to choose for a video surveillance system?

Typically, choosing the right type of CCTV cable depends on your specific situation, your desires and the cameras you choose. In the case of IP cameras, this is almost always the unambiguous use of a UTP cable with RJ-45 connectors; analogue video surveillance with a small number of cameras can get by with a regular coaxial cable at distances not exceeding 100-300 meters, and to be able to supply power and transmit signals over one cable it is necessary use either a combined video surveillance cable with power or twisted pair cable. If you have a large number of cameras and longer distances, we would recommend using a twisted pair cable - UTP, FTP or STP cable - depending on the distances, location of use (outdoors, indoors) and sources of interference.

The differences in the location of communications will be that for external cameras it is necessary to use a cable with protective external insulation made of solid polyethylene, and for internal video surveillance systems it can be taken from ordinary PVC. Also, a cable for outdoor installation may have a steel support cable in its design, which is necessary to enhance the strength of the cable when laying the cable through the air (KVK-Pt).

In this article, we tried to analyze as much as possible the question of how to choose the right cable for video surveillance, talked about the main types and their characteristics, tried to highlight in as much detail as possible those design differences that play a major role in choosing the most suitable cable depending on a particular CCTV systems and your preferences. We wish you good luck and hope that this material remains useful to you!

With this they read:

Ready-made video surveillance kits for various needs: selection tips with examples

Power supplies for CCTV cameras

Microphone for CCTV camera: selection criteria, types and current models

Viewing angle of a CCTV camera lens
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1. Ilya
   04/14/2017 at 12:09

   good afternoon!!! The distance to the cameras is 160 meters!!! what cable should I use? did you want a regular home twisted pair cable or is it too far?

   Reply ↓

   Alexander Starchenko

   (Post author)04/18/2018 at 05:25

   Hello, Ilya. You can use a repeater every 80 meters, but AHD and TVI digital cameras would be better. They now have a resolution of up to 5 megapixels, a range of up to 500 meters.

2. Anonymous

   03/24/2019 at 03:25

   there are laser cameras up to several kilometers

Cable variety. Why is the right choice so important?

The technology used to transmit video signals from one location to another is one of the most important components of a CCTV system. The market offers many solutions for connecting components into a single whole. Here are some popular options:

• twisted pair network cable;
• coaxial cable and its varieties;
• high-tech fiber optic cables;
• wireless video transmitters and receivers.

A faulty camera can be replaced under warranty. Freezing DVR - reconfigure. Network connections are easy to reconfigure. But if, after installation, an inexpensive and seemingly simple cable refuses to work, then you will have to first find the problem and then start all over again.

The article will tell you how to choose such a cable, the intricacies of installation, connections and permissible distances. The “picture” will definitely appear on the screen even from a camera several hundred meters away, if you study the tips given. An additional bonus is recommendations for connecting a TV, monitor and other popular devices to video surveillance. Although the article is intended for a non-specialist user, we will be glad if an experienced professional learns something new for himself.

Features of cables for street video surveillance

External laying of cables in the ground is done using metal or plastic pipes. If you need to lay an overhead communication line to connect an outdoor video surveillance camera, you must use a video surveillance cable with a cable that protects it from various mechanical loads. Operation of wires and cables of street video surveillance systems occurs under the following conditions:

• Variable temperatures;
• High humidity;
• Exposure to various mechanical loads and ultraviolet radiation.

All these factors must be taken into account when choosing cables for outdoor installation. On the reliability of video surveillance and methods of installing cable infrastructure. The following options can be distinguished:

• Laying cables along walls and other supporting structures;
• By air with suspension on a supporting cable;
• In pipes and trenches underground.

In addition to transmitting the video signal, it is necessary to provide power to outdoor video cameras. Therefore, we choose the most suitable cables for this.

Installation of video surveillance with analog cameras

Before you directly install video surveillance in your home, you need to draw on paper the locations of video points, cable laying locations, etc.

In order to maximize coverage of the entire space around the house, it is necessary to install at least one camera on each wall. It wouldn’t hurt to put another one on the roof in front of the front door.