Not too long ago, installing a security camera at home was considered a reckless and definitely, not an affordable endeavour. These days, technology has grown more affordable and accessible. As a result, security camera installation takes a leap up the stairs of affordability and necessity. This article brings “Why every house needs a security camera?” into the limelight. Above all, it gives you a step-by-step procedure for a proper security camera installation at home.
Security cameras don’t just bar criminals; they also help the police in case a burglary actually occurs. While a surveillance camera installation protects your home, it allows you to check on your family as well. Even your pets stay protected too. Moreover, these cameras make it easy for you to make an insurance claim due to a burglary or vandalism.
Before you buy a security camera, give a thorough thought to the aspects you must focus on before making a purchase.
- Indoor cameras are different from the outdoor ones in terms of their ability to face the weather. Before going for a home security camera installation, decide the place you want to install the camera at.
- Security cameras usually come with three power options – wired, wireless or wire-free. Though wired home security cameras give you limited options for placement. But, these cameras are known for their reliable and secure connections.
Check out the below segment on how to install a home surveillance camera.
An Ultimate Guide for Security Camera Installation
Where to Place your Security Cameras?
Every house has its own priorities and vulnerabilities. The following points recommend the best areas you can choose for your surveillance system installation.
Exterior Security Camera Installation
- Front Door
Though it is usually assumed that intruders sneak through the side doors, statistics report that almost 34% of burglars get into the house through the front door. An outdoor security camera installation at your main entrance keeps track of every person coming in and out of your house.
- Back and Side Doors
Undetected entries are generally made through doors which aren’t in the sight. Therefore, if you have a secondary door which is used as often as the main entrance, it is wise to install a security camera at these spots as well.
- Garage and Driveway
A home camera installation at your garage or driveway keeps a check on the bikes, cars, tools and even every person who handles them. If your garage isn’t attached to the main house, the surveillance camera helps to stay connected. If your garage is connected, the security camera can act as an extra layer of security which keeps a watchful eye on every intruder.
- Yard
A security camera installed to monitor your yard also helps you keep an eye on the kids, animals and even, trespassers.
Interior Security Camera Installation
- Hallway or Main Stairway
This spot is likely the best place to put indoor security camera. Moreover, a surveillance camera installed at your hallway or main stairway hardly lets any intruder go undetected.
- Common Areas
Security cameras installation in the kitchen, living room or other gathering points helps you keep a track of several activities. You can even install a security camera at the rooms which have considerably big ground-floor windows.
Steps for Installing a Security Camera
The following segment focuses on the installation of a wired security camera system. Though the setup is relatively more complicated than that of a Wi-Fi camera, you will eventually end up with a reliable and secure system.
What Tools You Need to Begin?
In comparison to a simple Wi-Fi security camera, the installation of a wired security camera system requires a greater number of tools.
- Ethernet Cable
- Baluns – If your security camera system is an analog one, go for the baluns as they effectively convert analog to digital.
- A power drill with spade bits, drive bits and a handful of regular drill bits.
- Steel Fish Tape
- Masking Tape
As you begin to go through the segment on the installation of a security camera, you may feel the need of some other tools to make things comparatively easy. At any rate, the tools mentioned above are the basics you will need.
The Setup Procedure
Before you get through the installation process, you need to know the framework of this security system. Every surveillance camera system is likely to have a set of cameras and a DVR box. Either with a BNC cable or an Ethernet cable, you can connect the cameras directly to the DVR box. BNC cables and Ethernet cables are used to connect with analog systems and digital systems respectively.
Note: If you have an analog camera system, it is more recommended to use baluns, instead of the BNC cable. Baluns are special adapters which make it possible for you to use Ethernet cables. This makes the overall installation process a lot easier.
- Figuring Out the Best Spot for the Camera
When it comes to the wired security cameras, it is not sufficient to recklessly choose a spot and install them. You need to figure out a place which altogether, makes the installation process easier and gives you the perfect area of control.
For instance, an outdoor security camera installed next to the front door is a perfect approach. If you can even place the camera in an upper corner, the surveillance system will get more effective. However, wired security cameras come with a limitation. While handling these, you need to find an easy and more convenient way to route the cable from the security camera to the DVR box.
Therefore, instead of installing the security camera on an exterior wall, prefer to get it installed on the front porch’s ceiling. From this spot, you can easily route the cable into the main attic through the porch’s own attic and ultimately, take it in any direction you wish to.
Nevertheless, you can judge the spots at your house well and make the best decision in this case.
- Start Preparing for the Installation
After you have decided the spots, it’s time for the installation. Depending on the place you have chosen for the cameras, you may need some more tools than usually required.
A regular power drill is sufficient to drill through wood, aluminium or drywall. But, how to run cable through wall? If you are drilling through the brick or any other sort of masonry, a hammer drill will come handy.
At any rate, mark the holes on the surface through which the cables will pass. Don’t forget to mark the holes for the camera’s mounting screws. There are certain kits which include a template sticker as well. Such a sticker makes your task easier. However, if the system you have bought doesn’t include a template sticker, you can put the camera onto the wall or ceiling and mark the holes.
To drill the pilot holes through which the mounting screws of your security camera will go, you can use a power drill with a drill bit. To drill the bigger hole for the cables, you can use a spade bit or at times, a regular drill bit of a bigger size.
- Run Cables to Each Location of your Cameras
After drilling holes for your security cameras, start running security camera cables to each location of your cameras. Though the order of things for you may not be the same for someone else. But ultimately, you will be drilling holes through walls and ceilings to get the cables to the designated camera locations.
- Route Cables to the DVR Box
Once you have routed all the cables to the decided camera locations, it’s time for you to run these cables to the DVR box. For this purpose, you are most likely going to require a power drill and fish tape. There is a significant chance of things getting difficult and more complicated in this step. Therefore, if you aren’t sure about the beginning, take the help of a companion.
- Installation of Cameras
With this step, you can confidently bid farewell to the complicated steps. Though running the cables takes more time, the installation of cameras is a matter of minutes only.
To begin with this part, connect the cables protruding out of the drilled holes to your security cameras. The excess length can be fed back up into the hole.
Moreover, if you wish to secure the connection so that the cable doesn’t come out, you can use an electrical tape to wrap the complete connection.
Now, bring out the mounting screws and mount the camera with a power drill.
Is the installation process complete? Not yet. You need to make few finer adjustments to the camera by loosening the screws and tightening them again.
- Finally, Connect Everything Together and Setup the User Interface
After successfully routing all the cables, you can now connect them to the DVR box. While setting up the user interface, you need to create a password, set the date and time and eventually, go through a brief tutorial on how the system actually works.
Related Hot Topics
- Laws On Outdoor Surveillance Cameras for Home
Once you have decided on the areas you want to monitor, it’s now time for you to install the security cameras strategically in order to cover the intended areas effectively.
- An elevation of 8-10 feet from the ground is perfect. This height is high enough to help the camera stay protected from thieves and vandals. At the same time, it is low enough to capture details with clarity.
- It isn’t wise to point the security camera to the sun itself. Such a situation can bring glare in your security footage and thus, be less helpful for the cause it was meant for.
- Protect the camera with ample waterproofing. It is better to choose a security camera which suits your climate.
Apart from the strategies, don’t install the camera at a place which violates the privacy of your neighbours. Mostly, there is no right to privacy while dealing with the public places. The streets are a part of public places and you can install the cameras to monitor these locations without an issue.
However, if your camera points towards a spot which invades someone’s privacy, then things might start getting complicated for you.
- Surveillance Camera Installation Cost
The average security camera installation cost is around $1500. However, the price for a professional installation of security cameras varies drastically, depending on the number of cameras you wish to install and also, the security camera system you prefer.
Moreover, the size and type of camera you require at your home depends on a variety of criteria including the size of your home, need for internal or external cameras and overall, your security needs. Your choice of the system, i.e., wireless or wired also determines the overall installation cost.
- How can I Hide my Security Cameras?
Security cameras need to stay hidden because
- Hidden security cameras have lesser chances of getting detected or disabled by intruders.
- Wireless security cameras take the aesthetics of your house into consideration and thus, don’t try to ruin it.
How to hide a security camera indoors? These spots are excellent for the installation of an internal surveillance camera.
How to hide security camera wires outside? Cable wires make intruders aware of the spots the cameras are installed at.
Tips for Guarding your Home Security
Keeping the home safe from intruders should be an absolute priority. You can secure your doors and lock the windows to bar trespassing. However, apart from the basic approaches, you can setup a security system and add security cameras. Nevertheless, lighting up the landscape can be another source of security, though not a full-proof solution.
Final Words
The biggest advantage of a smart home is that it helps you know every aspect of your home, even when you won’t be present at your house. With the increase in number of burglaries and crimes, the need for security cameras at home cannot be undermined. This article presented you with an easy installation guide for your security cameras. All queries concerning the arena of security cameras is gladly welcomed. You can put in your queries in the comment section and we will get back to you with an effective solution soon.
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