The Dos & Don’ts On CCTV Installation

Installing CCTV cameras for your home or business is a brilliant idea as it helps to monitor what is happening around when your eyes are not looking. With the advancement in technology, the market has availed cameras in many types and variations, some of which can even capture images on a totally dark night. As if that is not enough, there miniature cameras that are so tiny that they require a keen eye to be noticed. 
 

Having CCTV cameras installed in your premises not only boosts security but also makes monitoring easy. Businesses, especially, will find the cameras useful as a single person can monitor an entire group of people from multiple screens. Whereas we hope that nothing bad happens in our homes, sometimes you just have to take extra measures to keep your home safe. You could have nanny cameras installed so that you can be in the know of what is happening at your house.

That said, what are the dos and don’ts on CCTV installation? Check them out below:

CCTV Do’s

Mount cameras high enough

The essence of having cameras in the first place is to deter crime by letting the people around know that there is an extra pair of eyes watching from above. To ensure that your cameras are safe, mount them high enough so that burglars have a hard time reaching them. You do not want to have your cameras mounted at the height of the wall where they can be easily knocked off by a person standing on the ground. Mounting cameras high enough also increases the scope of view of the CCTV camera. 
 

Protect your cameras

External cameras are prone to many elements including bad weather and accidents. For a start, you should place the cameras where it is strategic. Let it not be a place where it can be rained on and wind can blow items such as leaves on it. Be sure to attach the cameras strongly to the mounting surface so that it does not shake otherwise you will end up with grainy pictures. The camera cables are everything. This is because they transmit the data captured to storage devices. In some other cases, the cables power up the cameras. Therefore, you need to protect these cables from getting pulled off or becoming loose. 
 

Infrared cameras for night vision

It is a fact that it is practically impossible to see in the dark. However, some cameras have been designed to capture footage in complete darkness. As you may already know, cameras function by capturing light that is reflected off a surface. But what happens during the night? Well, the night cameras operate by image enhancement. It does this by collecting any light available (tiny amounts) and amplifying the light until a reasonably visible image is obtained. Some cameras use infrared LED and thermal imaging. Such cameras do not show a picture but an image of the light spectrum that is emitted by all living beings as heat. Choose a camera that uses a technology that will give you expected results.
 

Do a system check

During and after installation, check that each component of the surveillance system is functioning as it should. Run several tests over and over again to ensure that you did not forget something. It is also wise to make sure that your systems are tamper proof. For example, you could have a system that records and transmits footage to a server and allows for retrieval of the data remotely. Since such systems are monitored remotely, any problem could make the system fail to function. If there is no person on site, then you know that could be disastrous for you and the business as it gives burglars enough time to carry out their heinous acts.
 

CCTV Don’ts

Do not leave entry and exit points unmanned

What is the essence of having CCTV cameras installed in your premises if they are not located at the entry and exit points? It makes no sense at all. For maximum security, install cameras at all entry and exit points of the building. If you have multiple entry and exit points, seal off some areas and use the specified sections that have cameras installed. Usually, the rule of the thumb is that the security cameras must cover all corners of the building. 
 

Do not use low-resolution cameras for larger spaces

Regardless of whether it is the interior or the exterior of your home, do not use cameras that have a lower resolution. Using standard or low resolutions for larger spaces means that you render these cameras useless as you cannot clearly see the images. Before settling down on any camera, know the kind of interior space that the camera is expected to cover. If you are not aware of how to do this, feel free to seek professional help. At times, it is not even the camera, but the lens that requires some adjustment or changing. 
 

Do not do it alone

So you have observed and decided that CCTV cameras are for you. Since you have IT guys in your company, you let them purchase and install the cameras all by themselves. Guess what? This is not the way to go. Even if you have some technological knowledge here and there, it will not hurt to consult a professional. A professional has experience on how to choose and install CCTV cameras so that they can effectively function. Many people that have decided to do it by themselves often end up in disappointment as they realized in the end that they had missed something during the installation process.
 

Do not go for cheap equipment

The CCTV industry is a tricky marketplace where you get what you pay for. Understandably, it is the human nature to want peak performance equipment at the cheapest cost. However, this should not be the case. Look for cameras that suit your needs and are priced reasonably. Acquiring an expensive system is not a guarantee of quality and protection. Neither are the cheapest systems. Strike a balance so that what you pay gives you value for your money. 
 

More and more Singaporeans are getting CCTV installation in their homes and businesses. This fact points out to the advantages that people get from having the system installed. Security experts actually recommend cameras and you can also follow the trend. However, just be sure to observe the dos and don’ts during installation of the CCTV system.