First and foremost ensure that the IP camera is atleast IP65 rated to be suitable for being mounted outdoors where it is exposed to sun, rain, humidity and potentially a big variation in temperature. An indoor rated camera must not be used outdoors in any case, otherwise it will not survive.
Secondly. An outdoor rated cameras housing is actually IP rated. Not the cable stubs. Therefore no cable stub or connector should be exposed to elements otherwise it will get spoiled completely in a couple of years, requiring camera repairs or replacement in worst case. Besides that vandals and rodents can easily damage vulnerable exposed parts.
The above are good examples of outdoor camera installations . The Cable enclosed in conduit or raceway (casing) enters the junction box behind the camera, leaving no part of the cable exposed. Similarly the cable stubs (ethernet and DC connector stubs) are also enclosed inside and the actual cable join is totally enclosed in IP grade junction box making it safe from corrosion, rust, etc. Also ideally the conduit should enter the junction box from bottom (and preferably through glands) and not sides or top, so as to ensure that their is no chance of water leakage in case of rains. This is a point that installers forget in a hurry.
Another important point to consider mandatorily is that the junction box itself must be at least IP65 rated. You should never use indoor PVC box outdoors. And that the lid has at least 4 screws (one at each corner) in case of square boxes and 6+ screws (2 additional in middle) in case of rectangular ones, so that bigger camera (1 Kg+) can be safely mounted and box lid does not open due to mechanical stress of camera weight. A Hensel box is a better choice even if the color does not match the wall paint as its very sturdy and IP66 rated.
For indoor cameras, the requirements are less strict:
(1) their is no need to use IP rated boxes. A regular PVC electrical box of sufficient rigidity is good enough in most cases if camera weight is less than 500g
(2) Cables can enter junction box in conduit from any direction, though it s still required that no part of cables be exposed (vandal and rodent resistance is the driver here)
(3) For heavy cameras ( 1 kg+), 6+ screws, sturdy construction (preferably with decent aesthetics) are still applicable. If you do not get a god fit, stick to the IP rated hensel box and comprise a bit with aesthetics and color matching.
(1) their is no need to use IP rated boxes. A regular PVC electrical box of sufficient rigidity is good enough in most cases if camera weight is less than 500g
(2) Cables can enter junction box in conduit from any direction, though it s still required that no part of cables be exposed (vandal and rodent resistance is the driver here)
(3) For heavy cameras ( 1 kg+), 6+ screws, sturdy construction (preferably with decent aesthetics) are still applicable. If you do not get a god fit, stick to the IP rated hensel box and comprise a bit with aesthetics and color matching.
- Suman Kumar Luthra @ APRC-P3 Telecom Sub-Committee
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