Offers!
Fast Fix Kits - All the accessories you need to get your CCTV system up and running, just add you!
FASTFIX8 includes 100M cable, power supply, HDMI lead, cable clips, connectors and even 4 CCTV Warning Signs. Just add a DVR, cameras and a screen.
Saves over £20 on normal trade prices!
Did You Know...?
Copper is a preferred electrical conductor and an excellent thermal conductor: Superior conductivity allows smaller conductors to be used, saving space and cost.
Apart from silver, copper is the next best conductor of electricity. The electrical conductivity of copper is 101 percent as compared with aluminium which is 61 percent of copper. Source: Copper Alliance.
SPOTLIGHT...
PTZ Combo Cable -
PTZ Combo cable allows you to send power, data and a video signal down just the one cable, perfect for PTZ installations!
CCTV Buyer's Guide To COAX Cable
Choosing the right cable for your job is critical as getting it wrong can mean wasted hours of fixing what needs redoing when the results are sub-standard. Running out cabling is a tedious enough job as it is without having to do it twice. Our CCTV Buying Guide helps point you in the right direction…
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A B C to go for...
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A solid copper centre core; copper is better conductor of electricity and signals than gold! So go for copper conductors. Aluminium is only 61% as effective as copper.
Both a glued foil sheath & wire braiding to protect against interference along the cable run. The glued sheath means it stays put when making of cable ends for a faster installation too.
Centre cores that are truly centred in the cable showing quality manufacturing with an even jacket that protects from accidental damage.
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What To Avoid:
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CCA (Copper Clad Aluminium) and CCS (Copper Clad Steel) cable - Cheaper but in reality a false economy. CCA is around 61% effective as pure copper and CCS as low as 17% - In layman's terms; If a copper cable works at 100m then the CCA would only work at 61m and the CCS at just 17m !!
Reels made of cardboard or plastic which fall apart.
A loose (non-glued) foil sheath can end up causing a short on the cable's centre pin.
Thin protective jackets on cable that can be easily damaged and broken which may result in unexpected video loss.
60 Second Guide:
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- Estimate your overall cable run and add 10% for unseen detours
- If sending power look at potential volt drops. Consider using 24V AC if cable runs are exceptionally long.
- Always use a quality CCTV cable brand (eg. Anti-hum) for the best results.
- Take care when running out your cable not to stretch or bend the run to excess.
- Buy the correct tools for the job such as access rods, a quality BNC crimp tool and a proper co-ax stripper tool
- Consider future upgrades, a better quality cable is more suitable for future HD CCTV cameras.
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The Facts:
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Copper is a better conductor of electricity than gold, so use it! Aluminium is only 61% as good as copper so it a false economy using it.
Forget steel altogether if you are a pro.
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Related CCTV Tips:
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- How to fit CCTV - TIP 140 How do I combat volt drop?
- How to fit CCTV - TIP 245 How can I solve problems with long cable runs?
- How to fit CCTV - TIP 368 What are 3 easy ways to pull CCTV cable?
- ..or search through the How to Fit CCTV Tip database.
Did You Know?
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Copper is infinitely recyclable without any loss of performance and is nearly indistinguishable from freshly mined copper.
Source: Copper Alliance,
Jargon Buster:
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CCS - Copper Coated Steel (ie: not solid copper!)
CCA - Copper Coated Aluminium (again not solid copper!
Read the full CCTV Jargon Buster
In The News:
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Copper is 2.8x the price of aluminium and over 3 times the cost of aluminium alloys so you may need to pay a little extra for twice the performance.
Source: London Metal Exchange 26/10/16
...and Finally:
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This guide plus other handy CCTV installation tips can be downloaded FREE from our CCTV Installer's Help Zone.