hello all .. I am a newbie when I come to home security. I am building a new house and running wires through the walls to have everything wired. Cat6 solid utp is what the vendor provides. I am trying to figure out where all to put drops for the video cameras around the house and what cameras to use eventually. Not buying the security system from the vendor doing the low voltage wiring. I am on mobile right now, but will post some plans to get some input from you all as to where all to get drops to put cameras around the house.
Hello from DC suburbs
- Thread starter homesecnoob
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SouthernYankee
IPCT Contributor
Run two Ethernet cables to each location.
Use copper wire. Do not use cca, copper clad aluminum.
Mount the cameras low. You need to get video of the faces, not just what happened. On the garage, two cameras, one on each side of the door, 6 to 7 feet up.
I use a two cameras to cover most out side doors.
Use copper wire. Do not use cca, copper clad aluminum.
Mount the cameras low. You need to get video of the faces, not just what happened. On the garage, two cameras, one on each side of the door, 6 to 7 feet up.
I use a two cameras to cover most out side doors.
Last edited:
looney2ns
IPCT Contributor
mat200
IPCT Contributor
- Jan 17, 2017
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Welcome @homesecnoob
Over cable now when it is easy.
N+1 to each location ( that is run at least one more line than you expect )
See the cliff notes on ideas.
Get a test camera to start testing possible locations. Dahua IPC-HDW22xx model works well for this, it's about $120 iirc, varifocal camera - worth keeping afterwards - looney2ns did a review on it...
Many professional installers install cameras too high - so do NOT trust them to do the best job for you.
Bring enough cat6 lines to the doors - camera at eye level ( 1+1 = 2 cables ), door bell ( 1+1 = 2 cables ), ..
Make certain the cat6 cable has solid copper wires.
If the framing is already up, you'll need to work quickly.
For other cabling ideas for a new home check out:
Thanks for all the advise. I have been reading the cliff notes.
Framing hasn’t gone up yet, so I have time. Where I am requires permit for low voltage wiring. Builders low voltage guy is charging $130 per run of ca6 cable. Not exactly 2x/3X cost for for 2/3 runs but slightly less. I have spec’d all rooms for at least 2x runs and then 1 run each to four corners of the exterior (front/back) and 1 for door bell. I will definitely have to add more runs for cameras or at least double up each exterior run so that I can just put a camera on the other corner from there. I don’t think this company is putting any junction box for the camera(as I am not buying cameras from them). Will have to check how will they leave the wiring on the exterior drops.
Framing hasn’t gone up yet, so I have time. Where I am requires permit for low voltage wiring. Builders low voltage guy is charging $130 per run of ca6 cable. Not exactly 2x/3X cost for for 2/3 runs but slightly less. I have spec’d all rooms for at least 2x runs and then 1 run each to four corners of the exterior (front/back) and 1 for door bell. I will definitely have to add more runs for cameras or at least double up each exterior run so that I can just put a camera on the other corner from there. I don’t think this company is putting any junction box for the camera(as I am not buying cameras from them). Will have to check how will they leave the wiring on the exterior drops.
SouthernYankee
IPCT Contributor
$130 is a lot of money for runs, without sheet rock and roof. 130 for a run in a completed house is still high. Look for another vendor.
Back in the day I ran the alarm wire for all doors and windows in less than 6 hours on a 3200 sgft single story house. After sheet rock was up, fished them out for the final connection.
Back in the day I ran the alarm wire for all doors and windows in less than 6 hours on a 3200 sgft single story house. After sheet rock was up, fished them out for the final connection.
Everyone's situation is different, but that wasn't an option when my house was going up. It was $100/run for Ethernet, and the builder would only allow his subs to be used.
This. The builder will not allow any other vendor to be used, so I have to use them.
SouthernYankee
IPCT Contributor
I wish the contracts were written as such in this area. The builder will not allow any vendors not on their list to work on site.
mat200
IPCT Contributor
- Jan 17, 2017
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Hi @homesecnoob
See if you can negotiate them running +1 cat6 to each location at this time.
Hopefully the contractor has a couple of subs he will approve that you can see which will give you a fair price.
Remember also that YOU should be the one determining the positions of the cameras - and at $130 per line, do not worry if they have to work a bit harder to bring the line and box down the wall.
Also - do check out some of Matt Risinger's videos..
Matt Risinger
Remember to hire your private inspector - new builds are often not built properly.. typically numerous water damage potential issues.
If you need to cut costs - do so on the appliances and counter tops - you can always update those fairly easily, do not skip on the house wrap and water protection.
looney2ns
IPCT Contributor
that is the 2 drops at one location, which they charge $210 for. I was thinking maybe go in after they pull their lines and add one more cat6 to the camera locations. Already getting 2x in all bedrooms and quad drops at a 2 locations. Adding 1 drop each in the ceilings for ap’s too.
Yes, will be determining the locations at electrical walk through. Have to find out how they leave the drops on the exterior of the house which are not connected to cameras yet.
Will do.
the builder provides one year warranty but will plan to have it inspected independently as well.
mat200
IPCT Contributor
- Jan 17, 2017
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I did .. and that’s scary. I hope they don’t use staples and use the proper wrap. I have found out constructing is much more of a headache than buying a prebuilt house.