CCTV Installation: What Should You Consider Before Installation?

Installing a CCTV system is one of the most effective ways to deter crime and protect your property. However, a poorly planned installation can lead to blind spots, wiring issues, and blurry footage. Before you begin drilling holes and mounting cameras, it's essential to plan carefully.

Here are the crucial factors you should consider before proceeding with a CCTV installation.

1. Identifying Key Vulnerability Points

Don't just place cameras randomly. Assess your property and identify the most vulnerable areas that require monitoring:

• Main Entrances and Exits: The most common points of entry for both visitors and intruders.
• Off-Street Windows: Windows that are hidden from the main street are popular entry points for burglars.
• Driveways and Parking Areas: Essential for monitoring vehicles and recording license plates.
• Point of Sale (POS) and Safes: If you run a business, monitoring cash registers is a top priority.

2. Camera Placement and Height

Where and how high you place your cameras affects what they capture and how secure they are from vandalism.

• Place cameras high enough (typically 8 to 10 feet) so they cannot easily be reached and tampered with, but low enough to capture clear details like facial features.
• Avoid pointing cameras directly at the sun or highly reflective surfaces, which can cause glare and wash out the image.

3. Lighting Conditions

Even the best camera will struggle without proper lighting. Consider the lighting conditions of your target areas throughout the day and night. If an area is completely dark at night, you will absolutely need cameras with strong Infrared (IR) night vision or Starlight sensors. Alternatively, consider installing motion-sensor floodlights near the camera.

4. Cabling and Power Supply

How will the cameras be powered, and how will they transmit data to the recorder?

• Wired Systems (PoE/Coaxial): Offer the highest reliability and continuous recording without relying on WiFi. You will need to plan routes for cables through walls or ceilings. Power over Ethernet (PoE) simplifies this by running power and data through a single cable.
• Wireless Systems: Easier to install since they don't require data cables back to the recorder, but they still require a nearby power outlet and a very strong, stable WiFi connection.

5. Storage and Monitoring

Decide how you want to store and view your footage. Most professional setups use a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) or Network Video Recorder (NVR) connected to a dedicated hard drive. Consider where you will safely place this recording unit so that an intruder cannot easily steal the hard drive containing the footage.