CCTV Installation Cables: Copper, Jacket, Protection
Quick answer / TL;DR: Short answer: use copper Cat5e or Cat6, not CCA, and check the camera's power class against the switch budget. Use UV-stable or flooded jacket outdoors, seal every entry, and add surge protection on runs that leave the building. Keep the run under 100 m and test the link before mounting the camera.
One category, three axes: shielding, conductor and jacket create the SKU.A camera installation is a cable project with three requirements: enough copper for power, a jacket suited to the location and protection from induced surge.
Skipping any of them produces intermittent faults that look like camera failures.
Requirements
| Element | Spec | Failure if wrong |
|---|
| Conductor | Copper 23 AWG | Voltage drop |
| Jacket | UV or flooded | Cracking and water |
| Surge | Protector at entry | Dead ports |
| Length | Under 100 m | No link |
The conductor row explains most reboot complaints: a CCA run carries less current and the camera restarts when the infrared illuminator switches on.
Installation Practice
- Test the link before mounting
- Seal entries with putty
- Drip loop at the camera
- Separate from mains where possible
- Label at the recorder
The drip loop costs nothing and prevents water tracking along the cable into the connector.
Real-World Applications
An indoor retail install uses standard Cat6 and a PoE switch. A car park uses flooded outdoor cable, surge protection and a midspan where distance demands it.
Standards and Verification
| Reference | Relevance |
|---|
| IEEE 802.3af/at | PoE classes |
| TIA-568.2-D | Cabling |
| IEC 60529 | Ingress protection |
Camera power draw is not provided in the knowledge base. Check the datasheet and measure at the camera.
References
- IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at
- TIA-568.2-D, Balanced Twisted-Pair Cabling
- IEC 60529, Degrees of protection (IP code)
Practical Notes
Record voltage at the camera under infrared load. It is the number that predicts callbacks.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does CCA work for CCTV?
Not reliably at distance or with IR load.
How far can PoE run?
100 m.
Do I need surge protection?
On runs leaving the building.
Why do cameras reboot at night?
Voltage drop when IR turns on.
Sourcing cables for a project, a store, or a private-label line? Contact our B2B sales team for specifications, certification evidence, and volume terms – FOB and CIF options available. Request a quote or sample.
