Contributor: Video Experts

Catch the Wave… Don't get sunk!

The latest wave in CCTV systems is the miniature dome camera. Why settle for a fixed field of view when you can go for 360°? Not to mention up and down. These feature packed little miracles of modern technology when correctly installed can provide many years of dependable service. "Correctly installed" is the key word here!

Lately almost every other technical call received at our service center's tech. support lines involve dome camera problems, however after investigating the situation usually the installation is at fault.

The most common problem is lack of power. Outdoor motorized (24VAC) domes can require in access of 100 watts of power, most installers can't believe such a small piece of equipment draws so much juice but if you add up the wattage of the heaters, fans, motors, and camera, you will see it totals up quite quickly. Wire gauge is crucial in respect to how many meters the wire runs, as opposed to the equipment's total power consumption. Numerous times calls have been received stating,"When panning and tilting simultaneously, the camera looses video or gets wavy." When asked to confirm the gauge and length of the power supply line, the response usually is, "That can't be the problem, the installation has been fully operational for over a year." Sure when the equipment is new and the installation is such as to provide only the minimum power requirement, it will work. However the recommended wire gauge and transformer rating will assure you that your installation will keep on working after time as it's motors and electronics age, and begin to consume greater quantities of power.

The maximum voltage drop (24VAC) should not exceed 10 percent. Your equipment's manufacturer should specify wire gauge and cable run distances. If you can't acquire the information, here is a table for your reference.