Hardware

Should I use Cat5e or Cat6 Cabling?

Ethernet Cable

We often get questions from customer's about what Ethernet cable they should use when planning their IP camera installs. They ask "should we use Cat5e or Cat6 and whats the difference?"

We recommend Cat6 over Cat5e and here are a few reason why:

1. Cat 6 cable has more stringent specifications for crosstalk and system noise than Cat5e does. That means you'll get fewer errors on a system operating via Cat 6.
2. Cat 6 cable is full-on certified to handle Gigabit speeds.
3. It's also suitable for any 10-Gigabit uses that may come along, thus future-proofing your cabling now and well into the future.

Cat5e can successfully be used with your camera installation. Cat5e cable is enhanced to reduce interference so that it can reliably deliver Gigabit speeds, however, Gigabit ethernet pushes the cable to its limits.

If you are starting your camera installation from scratch and what to future-proof your cabling in your home or office then Cat6 cabling should be your prefered choice.


What do the IP and IK camera ratings mean?

Ever wonder what those IP and IK numbers are that are mentioned on camera datasheets. Well wonder no more, here is a detailed explaination of what they mean.

IP - Ingress Protection Rating

The IP system is an internationally recognised method to indicate the degree of protection against the ingress of dust, solid objects and moisture into an enclosure. The letters "IP" are followed by two numerals.


First Numeral

Protection of persons against contact with or approach to live parts and against contact with moving parts, other than smooth rotating shafts and the like, inside the enclosure and protection of the equipment against ingress of solid foreign bodies in accordance with IEC 60598-1:2003.

 

0       Not protected
 

1       Protected against solid objects 50 mm in diameter or greater.
         A large surface of the body, such as a hand (no protection against deliberate access).

2       Protected against solid objects 12 mm in diameter or greater.
         Fingers or similar objects not exceeding 80mm in length.

3       Protected against solid objects 2.5 mm in diameter or greater.
         Tools, wires, etc., of diameter or thickness greater than 2.5 mm.

4       Protected against solid objects 1mm in diameter or greater.
         Wires or other similar solid material of thickness greater than 1mm in diameter.

5       Dust protected.
         Dust does not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with satisfactory operation of equipment.

6       Dust tight.
         No ingress of dust


Second Numeral

The second numeral indicates the degree of protection against the ingress moisture as defined in IEC 60598-1:2003.

0        Not protected

1        Protected against dripping water.
          Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect.

2        Protected against dripping water when tilted up to 15º
          Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15º from
          its normal position.

3        Protected against spraying water.
          Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60º from the vertical shall have no harmful effect.

4        Protected against splashing water.
          Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect.

5        Protected against water jets.
          Water projected by a nozzle against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.

6        Protected against heavy seas.
          Water from heavy seas or projected in powerful water jets shall not enter the enclosure in harmful quantities.

7        Protected against the effects of temporary immersion.
          Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under
          defined conditions of pressure and time.

8        Protected against continuous immersion.
          The equipment is suitable for continuous submersion in water under conditions which shall be specified
          by the manufacturer. 

IK - Impact Protection Rating

 

Degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment against external mechanical impacts in accordance with IEC 62262:2002 and IEC 60068-2-75:1997.

IK00   Not protected

IK01   Protected against 0.14 joules impact.
            Equivalent to impact of 0.25 kg mass dropped from 56 mm above impacted surface.

IK02   Protected against 0.2 joules impact.
            Equivalent to impact of 0.25 kg mass dropped from 80 mm above impacted surface.

IK03   Protected against 0.35 joules impact.
            Equivalent to impact of 0.25 kg mass dropped from 140 mm above impacted surface.

IK04   Protected against 0.5 joules impact.
            Equivalent to impact of 0.25 kg mass dropped from 200 mm above impacted surface.

IK05   Protected against 0.7 joules impact.
            Equivalent to impact of 0.25 kg mass dropped from 280 mm above impacted surface.

IK06   Protected against 1 joules impact.
            Equivalent to impact of 0.25 kg mass dropped from 400 mm above impacted surface.

IK07   Protected against 2 joules impact.
            Equivalent to impact of 0.5 kg mass dropped from 400 mm above impacted surface.

IK08   Protected against 5 joules impact.
            Equivalent to impact of 1.7 kg mass dropped from 300 mm above impacted surface.

IK09   Protected against 10 joules impact.
            Equivalent to impact of 5 kg mass dropped from 200 mm above impacted surface.

IK10   Protected against 20 joules impact.
            Equivalent to impact of 5 kg mass dropped from 400 mm above impacted surface.

References:

http://www.austest.com.au/ingress_protection.php

http://www.austest.com.au/impact.php


What is Hikvisions H.265+ technology?

Hikvision H.265+ technology found in the latest 5MP/8MP cameras, is the next iteration in their codec from H.264, H.264+, providing reduced bandwidth and increased storage capacity

Here is a Hikvision article which talks about their H.265+ technology.

H.265+ Takes Video Surveillance to the 4K Era


Is there a list of all camera brackets and accessories?

How to protect against water ingress when installing cameras.

Excellent guide from Hikvision on protecting against water ingress into your cameras.

How To Protect Against Water Ingress

There are rain shade options for certain cameras, which provide great protection from rain and possible water ingress.


Which size PowerShield UPS should I select for my CCTV system.
PowerShield have provided a sizing tool which can assist with selecting the correct UPS unit for your CCTV.

Any questions or still not quite sure, then please contact us.