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Home > Exploring the benefits of installing surge protection for CCTV equipment
October 19, 2006
By: Lynn Bryant
Keeping your CCTV security system up and running smoothly
is a critical component to an effective surveillance system.
If your equipment is not operating, the safety and security
of you and your property can be put in jeopardy. One of the
biggest threats to the effective operation of your CCTV
equipment is lightning strikes and electrical surges. If an
electrical surge occurs, your equipment can be destroyed.
Installing surge protection for CCTV equipment is a
critical part of an effective surveillance system. We will
take a closer look at why CCTV camera surge protection is so
important and learn about some of the surge protection
products available on the market.
One of the biggest reasons CCTV equipment is so sensitive
to surges of electricity is because there are usually
several cameras that make up a security surveillance system.
Typically, all of the cameras are networked together through
a network of wires. If one camera in the system receives a
surge of electricity from a lightning strike, the current
will flow to all of the other connected components. This
includes cameras and the central CCTV control equipment.
Just one lightning event can wreck havoc on your entire
system.
Lightning need not strike your equipment directly either.
While a direct strike is always a possibility, surges can
occur when lightning comes in contact with wires and pipes
that are connected outside your building. Lightning can also
travel through the ground creating an indirect surge through
your internal network of wires. Once the electrical surge is
initiated, it can travel through all of your electrical,
phone, plumbing, and television reception systems.
A company called
Nitek
manufactures surge protectors specifically for CCTV
surveillance equipment. They offer four basic styles of
surge protectors. Three models are for single channel
installations, and one model is a rack mounted 16-channel
panel. Specific details on each of these models are listed
below:
-
CAMPTR1 -- This single channel model provides
multi-stage surge protection. This particular model is
specifically suited for small or restricted spaces. This
surge protector can be easily installed and provides a
single point ground connection for your entire
surveillance system.
-
CAMUTP24 -- This model provides multi-stage surge
protection to a single camera system. This surge protector
is ideally suited for outdoor cameras where a high level
of protection is needed on each individual camera unit. It
is designed to connect directly to the surveillance camera
itself.
-
DVRPTR16 -- This is a 16-channel multi-stage surge
protector. It is ideal for protecting DVR's and other
multi-input video devices. It is rack mountable and
installs in minutes.
-
CAMPVC24 -- This model is also designed to provide
protection to single camera systems. It provides ideal
protection for surveillance systems that utilize coaxial
cable style wiring.
Nitek's surge protectors start as low as $35.00 and go up
to around $250.00 for their 16-channel model. The investment
is relatively small considering the protection and peace of
mind you will receive. Further information and a
detailed guide on CCTV system surge protection can be
found by visiting Nitek's website.
About the Author
Lynn Bryant is a successful freelance writer and
contributor to Video-Surveillance-Guide.com. Your
definitive guide to video surveillance equipment, CCTV
cameras and wireless security systems for home and business.
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