Wire termination for cameras

[DJK]

I've got all my wire pulled for security cameras (Coax/power siamese and cat 5e), but what's the best way to terminate at the camera postion?

Most of the cameras will be under the soffit so is it best to just drill a hole for the wires and then attach the camera mount? Is a single gang box a better idea?

Thanks!

 

[CollinR]

The best way is BNC compression terminals, I however quite often use BNC twist-ons. Huge debate over this at CCTVForum.com, however in 10 years I have never had a trouble I could trace back to the twist-on.

However I did generate a pile of improperly terminated compression terminals, as those are not reusable.

 

[nightwalker]

Stuffing coax into a single gang box is a bad idea. Either use a mud ring or, cut off the back of the box, or just take the wire into the cameral directly.

 

[DJK]

Thanks for the replies.

I haven't purchased the cameras yet, and don't want to just leave the cable there laying on the top of the soffit for fear that it will be covered with insulation. Do most people just drill a whole, feed the wire through to the camera, and then caulk around the hole or does the mount for the cameras attach to a single gang (low voltage style without a back) box?

Sorry to be such a newbie with the cameras, but haven't bought any yet to look at.

 

[nightwalker]

they come both ways. I like the option of a termination of some sort, my preference is a mud ring, even if i only use a single hole plate to feed the camera line to the camera, it just looks better to me.

 

[Ranger Digital]

DJK, what I do is exactly what you said: drill a whole in the soffit, pull the wire thru, let it hang till i figure out what cam. At that point you can EASILY cut a hole for a mudring if you want (the remodel kind, cake!) or mount the cam with wires directly attached, or whatever solution you decide after you get your cams picked out.

 

[Photon]

When I run cables to my overhangs for future use, I roll a "service loop" and lay it inside next to a soffit vent. Later I unscrew the vent and can easily access the cable. I noticed they cheaped out and nailed the vents in place rather than using the included screws. Even if I damage the vents while removing them, they are very inexpensive to replace.

 

[sic0048]

While the wires might be covered up with insulation farther in the attic, there should not be ANY insulation directly at the soffit. Roofs have to breathe and there should be a space at the convergance of the rafters and the joists at the soffit that is completely clear of insulation. Therefore I think leaving the wires sitting on top of the soffit like Photon suggested is a great way to wiring if you will not be installing the cameras right away. While a bare wire hanging out of the soffit isn't going to be that noticable, it will be visable and an eye sore IMHO unless the soffit is really high off the ground (which would mean a pretty ineffective camera location for most applications).

 

[DJK]

Sounds like I'll just drill a little hole, then leave a big service loop on top of the soffit.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[CollinR]

Don't forget the point about within arms reach of an attic vent, this can make things very noce when possible.

I too just drill a hole (3/4") and then mount the camera over it. Some cameras have a passthrough in their mount, sometimes I'll drill a hole to pass through the mount. If I go with a full box and housing I usually put an electrical box and run armored conduit to the housing, you can repurpose the stuff intended to install AC units outside. Provide a nice "don't $%^%$ with me" look. :blink: