IP Products

Tips for cabling

by Mark Rowe

With video over IP providing greater control, enhanced operational flexibility, improved administration and expanded recording, archiving and integration capabilities when compared to traditional analogue video, IP CCTV is starting to take significant market share. Guy Shackleton, head of marketing – EMEA at Ideal Industries Networks, provides five tips for those involved with installing IP CCTV cabling.

Ever more businesses and organisations are investing in security strategies based on IP (Internet Protocol), either on new projects or when analogue based systems fail or need upgrading.

Video surveillance and recording takes the largest share of the security market, and plays a role in combating security breaches, as well as in legal proceedings. The use of IP CCTV – where all components and cameras are Ethernet – is definitely growing. Sales of IP cameras are on the rise (many distributors report that they represent around 50 per cent of their volume), and they are set to become the dominant solution as analogue declines. IP CCTV can provide greater control, while also improving operational flexibility, administration and recording and archiving, but, as with most things, its performance, quality and reliability will depend on the way the system is installed and maintained.

Cabling should always be a key consideration – and we believe there are five steps that should be taken before the cameras are connected and configured.

1. Use quality tools and materials to terminate the cable
Using quality tools, connectors and cable can make a real difference to an installation. Scrimping on cable can prove to be false economy, and installing the wrong materials can give rise to reliability issues. Unknowingly using 26 AWG or copper clad conductors, for example, could result in intermittent connections and PoE voltage drops. It should be remembered that there are different connectors available for round, flat, solid and stranded cable – and it’s crucial to use the right type.

2. Test the cable
At the very least, the cabling installation should be verified to ensure correct operation. The tester being used should be able to check for split pairs; this is a common wiring error but some low-cost testers don’t include a test for it. A split pair will cause high error rates, slowing down data transmission, or even making communication impossible. Using an appropriate tester that measures length will help to ensure the cabling is 100m or under.

For more than purely basic testing, it is preferable for the IP CCTV cabling to be either qualified or certified. Qualification is generally acceptable on small-scale projects, with this method testing to IEEE 802.3 standards.

As it sends real data across the cabling, qualification is the best real-world testing available. A test device (Ideal Industries Networks’ SignalTEK II is one example, pictured) is attached to each end of the cabling link. The device transmits Ethernet data at full rate across the link, checking for dropped frames resulting from low-quality cable, connectors or even poor workmanship.

On larger, mission-critical projects, certification will be more appropriate.
Certifiers are designed to ensure that structured cabling meets EN50173-1, ISO/IEC11801 and TIA/EIA-568-B, and certifies that a complete link/channel is providing Cat5E/Cat6 performance as installed. Certification is usually essential if the end user wants to take advantage of the cabling manufacturer’s warranty.

3. Test PoE (Power over Ethernet)
PoE can be tested through a simple presence test, which shows that PoE is present at the camera’s outlet and provides available voltage (48V is nominal), or a more detailed load test. In addition to checking for presence, a load test simulates a PoE device to check the available volts and milliamps at the outlet under loaded conditions. Acting as a PoE powered device, the tester requests power from the network, measuring the voltage and current provided. It enables a comparison of available power in relation to the cameras’ requirements. The power available depends on PoE supply/configuration, cable length, and conductor diameter; PoE (IEEE 802.at) can provide 15.4 watts whereas PoE+ can provide 25.5 watts.

4. Test the network
A basic network verification test will ensure that the outlet at the camera has network access. Verifiers can also be used to report link condition and negotiation speed, and to verify connectivity to the server from each outlet. Qualification tests, meanwhile, transmit Ethernet frames at a specified rate from outlet to switch to ensure the network has the performance needed to support continuous data loads without dropping frames. The tester should be configured to simulate the resolution, compression and number of cameras on the network.

5. Keep detailed documentation
Testers that are able to store records can really prove their worth. They are able to show that each drop was wired properly, had the right network speed (100/1000Mbps), had PoE (and enough of it), connected to the server, and, if the network was qualified, had the performance necessary to support the installed cameras. Having this proof can turn a warranty call back into a chargeable service, and can protect the installer’s reputation.

IP CCTV is growing – but its success largely depends on the performance and reliability of the cabling. Therefore it’s crucial to use quality tools and materials for termination, and to test the cable, PoE and the network – and to keep detailed documentation to prove all of this has been carried out correctly.

Ideal Industries Networks develops and manufactures products for LAN installation, test and certification, IT network testing and access telecom testing. The company’s SignalTEK II is a multifunctional handheld qualifier for confirming that copper or fibre cabling has been installed correctly and meets the required bandwidth carrying capability. It can test CCTV applications over 10/100 Megabit or Gigabit Ethernet. Fore more details call 01925 444446 or visit www.idealnwd.co.uk.

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