How to Run Security Camera Wires Outside

When you need to mount IP cameras outdoors, the outdoor security camera cabling job is the key process.

The guide to wire your security cameras from your house to your backyard and the steps to install power cables from inside of your house to the backyard.

Powering your Camera

When running security camera wires outside (especially the long-distance job), you can bury the cables to protect the wires from being tempered.

• Step 1. Plan the security camera wire route. Find a rather short and easy route to bury your conduits so that the burial job could be easier.
• Step 2. You need to use the wire guard, PVC or metal conduits to protect the home security camera wires from tampering by both humans and animals – squirrels, birds, etc.If you don't use conduits outside or bury security camera wires, remember to leave drip loops to prevent water from running to the power outlets through the hole.
• Step 3. In terms of wireless security cameras, you just need to run wires for the outlet providing power for wireless security cameras. (The outlet should be waterproof and weatherproof.)
• Step 4. Mark the place where you want to cut the hole.
• Step 5. Drill a hole to run security camera wires from your house. Once the hole is cut in the wall, insert a drill bit to drill a hole so that you can run wires through it. Remember to use a right angle drill with a hole saw bits for boring large holes.Keep the holes centered on the studs. Drilling a hole in the wall is much easier than drilling in the floor. All you need to do is to drill slowly and not press too hard. Stop when you feel the drill penetrates the wall.
• Step 6. Bury electrical wires/network cables. Before you need to run wires for your security cameras, you need to bury the PVC conduit at least 18 inches, while 6 inches for metal conduit according to the National Electric Code (NEC).
• Step 7. Now holes are already done. Running wires comes next. Fishing the wires is quite easy when you attach them with a fish tape or a pull wire. Wrap the bare wire through the fish tape eye and twist the end of the wire around itself. Place the electrical tape over the end of the fish tape eye and wire. Now you are ready for pulling wires.
• Step 8. Pull security camera wires. With one person standing to feed the wires, pull evenly on all of the wires. Keep the wires untangled. As for the person pulling the wires on the other end, pull the wires slowly, such as in 2 to 3 foot intervals. Pulling too fast would nick the wires and catch your partner's fingers.

The National Electrical Code requires holes containing non-metallic cable (often called Romex) or flexible metal-clad cable be set back 1-1/4 in, or more from the edge of a stud (Fig. A) to protect the wires from nails and screws. (The 1-1/4-in. screws and nails used to secure 1/2-in. drywall penetrate the studs about 3/4 in.)

When you need to bury your security camera wires, read the underground wire installation notes first to avoid any possible troubles in the future.