So, you’ve taken the decision to invest in CCTV to protect your home or business, but how do you go about protecting the CCTV system itself? Proper cable management is important in order to keep it all safe and in good working order, not to mention making sure it is neat, tidy and presentable. In this article, we take a look at why it is important to manage your CCTV cables and the best way to do it.
CCTV cables
Whatever CCTV system you opt for, there are likely to be some cables involved in it somewhere. Whilst each camera system is unique, there is likely to be cable running from a camera to a video recorder or a network connection as this is often the most stable and reliable way to ensure that you have optimum coverage at all times.
This can mean that they are running through the inside and outside of your building, and the network can sometimes end up being quite complicated, so it needs to be looked after.
Why your CCTV cables need to be managed
Your CCTV cables are the lifeline of your CCTV system, and if one of them fails, it could compromise your security in a huge way. As many of your cables are likely to be exposed, it can make them extremely vulnerable from all sorts of threats. The first thing to think about is natural environmental factors such as the weather – as extremes could cause technical difficulties. You also need to consider wildlife and whether anything is going to try and chew through any of your cables.
Your cables could also be vulnerable to deliberate threats as well. Thieves and vandals may try to target your cables in order to blackout your system, so they need to be kept well out of reach.
Keeping your cables properly managed also helps to keep them neat and prevent them from becoming an eyesore. Make sure they are run through discreet areas and kept together where possible so that their visual disruption is minimised. By having a proper system for your cables, it also makes it easier to reorganise your system or to perform maintenance on it.
If your cables are tangled, then there becomes not only a risk of them not working properly but also a chance that they could lead to sparks and a fire.
How to manage your CCTV cables
One of the first things to think about is making sure that your cables are kept away from heat or high voltage so make sure that their route does not involve going anywhere near things such as power lines, hot water pipes or other sources of heat.
Using colour coding systems can make it easier to manage your cable network, as it will be easier to know what devices are connected when it comes to making any changes or troubleshooting problems. Make sure cables are bound together properly to prevent them from becoming tangled or drooping and causing any kind of hazard.
Whilst burying your cables in a wall or ceiling might seem a good way to keep them out of reach, it can make it hard to move your system around or fix any issues, so they need to be run sensibly around hazards like lighting and away from direct exposure to the elements as they can interfere with the system or begin to break down.
Managing your cables properly is essential to ensuring the safety of your business in a variety of different ways. If done properly when the system is installed it becomes easier to manage, easier to fix and much safer overall.
How can ISET UK help?
If you’re looking for an efficient cable management system to provide your clients, our team of knowledgeable professionals can help you choose the best stock. Call the team at ISET UK today or create a trade account with us to start your order.
