Reason for running two cables to each camera?

[jonp]

Hello, I was just wondering if anyone could explain the reasoning for this tip? I'm very new to all of this and want to make sure I have all of my bases covered! I couldn't seem to find what the exact reasoning behind running two cables to each camera is.

Thanks

 

[TonyR]

Where did you hear or read that tip? Context is essential before the best answer can be offered, IMO.

 

[jonp]

IP Cam Talk Cliff Notes | IP Cam Talk

"In general, pull an extra category cable to each location where a device is planned, and leave a bit of extra slack on both ends of the cable, just in case you need to adjust placement."

I just wasn't entirely sure what the extra cable is giving you?

I figured it's maybe for future proofing in case you want to add a camera later.

 

[TonyR]

I figured it's maybe for future proofing in case you want to add a camera later.

Sounds right. CAT-5e cable is less than $.10 a foot and it's not much more $$ to pull 2 vs 1; going back later to pull another can be VERY time-consuming and, if you hire it done, expensive.

 

[jonp]

Cool, thanks for your response! I already have 1000 feet of cat6 sitting here

 

[catcamstar]

Think about the following three use cases:
1) you want an additional cam to cover more field of view, or have a higher zoom for LPR (for example: LPR needs high exposure so plates "stick out", while all the rest gets blackish - you'll need a cam "other" settings to get the surroundings right)
2) you want extra lightning (eg IR illuminator) - as long as they can be fed through POE, you're already set and don't need to pull additional wiring too
3) worst case: your first cable "breaks", you can plug&play to the "backup" wire.

Hope this helps!
CC

 

[TonyR]

+1^^...especially #2.

 

[awsum140]

I've gotten into the habit of pulling a run of 18-2 CMR to each location just to supply power along with a spare, or two, of CAT. The 18-2 will hndle a couple of IR illuminators with no problems and still leaves me with a spare CAT for another camera.

 

[mat200]

IP Cam Talk Cliff Notes | IP Cam Talk

"In general, pull an extra category cable to each location where a device is planned, and leave a bit of extra slack on both ends of the cable, just in case you need to adjust placement."

I just wasn't entirely sure what the extra cable is giving you?

I figured it's maybe for future proofing in case you want to add a camera later.

HI @jonp

In addition to @catcamstar list:

1) you want an additional cam to cover more field of view, or have a higher zoom for LPR (for example: LPR needs high exposure so plates "stick out", while all the rest gets blackish - you'll need a cam "other" settings to get the surroundings right)
2) you want extra lightning (eg IR illuminator) - as long as they can be fed through POE, you're already set and don't need to pull additional wiring too
3) worst case: your first cable "breaks", you can plug&play to the "backup" wire.

4) Other IoT device, sensor, ...

TonyR is absolutely right about the cost of the cables themselves are rather low compared to the work / effort to run the lines.

I do like also awsum140's note about running a line for power, you can also use a cat6 line for that by pairing the individual wires to effectively make a larger surface area for the power to travel over.

There are some locations I will pull N+1+ lines to.. like the front door - even though I recommend only N+1 to others, as that is typically a very challenging location to pull a wire to and with all sorts of possible IoT devices, I can see wanting some options there.

Also, for the office and media center locations I try to pull at least 3+ lines to ( N+1+ )

also I really liked this youtube video on smart home cabling

 

[jonp]

Cool thanks for the tips, much appreciated!