Best way to run security camera down 800ft. driveway

13 years ago

Want to have a security camera at the beggining of my 800ft. driveway. I assume wireless is too far so does a hardwire installation have to be boosted? I will also have 110 running down the drive and this is posted in the electrical forum. I don't know if the "signal" can be run through the 110v?

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yosemitebill

13 years ago

Yes, you are correct, for wireless it is too far (and wireless is too unreliable anyhow) and no the signal can't be fed over the 110v lines. Though products like "wireless" intercoms use this approach, it really doesn't work for video.

The simplest and most cost effective approach is to use CAT5e cabling for the 800' run. There are baluns available - small matching transformers - which are connected at each end and convert the the 75 ohm video signal to pass over the network type cable. Some baluns also include the ability to run power down separate conductors of the Cat5e to the camera. The CAT5e is terminated with RJ45 connectors and just plug in to the baluns. A set of passive baluns may be around $50-60 and can usually go up to 1000'. More expensive active ones (powered) are available as well to go further.

Camera choices would then move into the better surveillance cameras but still under $200.

While CAT5e is available in a direct burial version, I would recommend conduit to keep the little chewy animals away.

Comments (9)

brickeyee
13 years ago
"Some baluns also include the ability to run power down separate conductors of the Cat5e to the camera. "

And some are designed to operate with 'phantom power' on the signal lines.
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yosemitebill
13 years ago
Phantom power when used in the context of baluns to carry an analog signal over CAT5e, typically refers to the power used to supply power to an active balun (as opposed to passive) at the other end of the cable.

Baluns that include the ability to actually power the device at the other end will use 1-3 of the remaining twisted pairs depending on the power requirements of the device and length of run.

The baluns usually come with a chart to show voltage drop over over a run based on device voltage and current requirements, how many pairs to use, and what voltage supply to use at the head end.

The above phantom power/dedicated conductors approach is somewhat similar to PoE (power over Ethernet) modes A & B respectively. IP based cameras that use PoE are available but have cable length run limitations and usually come with a transformer as well.

For OP's application, I would say the ability to use CAT5e for power would most likely work for a camera without IR illumination, but would probably require a power xfmr down below for a camera with IR illumination.
windslam
13 years ago
yosemite,
Don't pay any attention to that guy and don't even feel like you need to defend your response. He sits and waits until someone else responds to a question and then he cuts and pastes a sentence or two from somebody elses response who took the time to give an honest reply. This is usually to discredit what a person says to make himself look like some kind of expert. Look all over the site,very seldom he offers a first response. Most of his responses are disputing what someone else says. Most people ignore him but every once in a while, he catches someone off guard.
yosemitebill
13 years ago
windslam,

Thank you for taking the time to post that thoughtful reply. It does seem at times, some people prefer to critique, rather than just post an informative and helpful response... even though they're not always right.

While my background is broadcast/video engineering, and consumer electronics engineering, I won't even touch the LCD vs Plasma posts anymore!
windslam
13 years ago
hey yosemitebill,
Great credentials!! You can bet I'll be watching for your responses to anything in this forum!!! It's fantastic to have people with your expertise willing to help!!!
windslam
13 years ago
Yosemitebill,
Dang Yosemite, the search function on this site either sucks or my way of searching sucks. Anyhow, I've been trying to see what your take is on LCD vs Plasma tv's. I promised my family I would buy a 50 or 55 inch tv for the family room wall. I was looking at the LED/LCD from what I had been reading here and listening to peoples opinions. Is there any way I could get you to change your stance on not getting involved in the debate. An opinion from a real professional would really help me out!!!

I'm sure the thing would get turned on and stay on for a lot of the day on weekends. During the week, it would probably only get turned on in the evenings for a few hours. I'm looking for the best type to hold up under those conditions. None of us are too picky about having the feeling of "being there" we just want a good picture on a tv that would last awhile. One of us will be watching cartoons, 2 teens will be watching a variety of stuff, rock concerts I'm sure will be in that mix. The rest of us are into History, Nat Geo, Documentaries, Sci-Fi, Shootem/cussem-up movies, and infrequently, some varying types of high profile sports.

pleeeease????
maryland_irisman
13 years ago
I'd love to get some input on that same topic but shouldn't we wait until we are sure bwood74, the original poster, has gotten an answer to his satisfaction?
windslam
13 years ago
OMG BWOOD74, I am so sorry!!!! I got caught up with having a professional like yosemetibill snagged by the pants leg here.

Best way to run security camera down 800ft. driveway

yosemitebill

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brickeyee

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