BNC Connectors for Security Camera Installations
A BNC connector is the most commonly used connector for terminating the ends of RG59 coaxial cable in a CCTV security camera installation. The CCTV cable or coaxial cable is used to stream the video between the security camera and the digital video recorder (DVR) device that allows you to record, view, and play back the video that the security camera is viewing. Most security cameras have a female BNC pigtailcoming out of them for you to plug your coaxial cable into via a male BNC connector. Most security DVRs have numerous BNC female video ports on the back that are also used to plug in your coaxial cable via another male BNC connector. This is how the connection between a security camera and DVR is made. This is why you often hear the term CCTV cable. The BNC connector has a locking mechanism that assists in creating a strong and secure connection between the coaxial cable and the CCTV equipment.
Installation Options: Security Cameras and the DVR
When installing a CCTV camera system there are a couple of options that can be taken to install coaxial cable between the security cameras and the DVR. The first is you could measure the distance between the cameras and the DVR and buy premade CCTV cables that already include the BNC connectors terminated on the cable. This will allow you to easily install your cameras without having to buy any extra tools, connectors, or accessories. The premade CCTV cables are just plug-and-play making your installation simple and quick. The second option is you can buy a box of RG59 coaxial cable and terminate the BNC connectors on the ends yourself. If you choose to do the terminations yourself you will need BNC connectors, a crimp or compression tool to terminate the BNC to the cable, and a coaxial cable stripper to prepare the coaxial cable prior to terminating it. The process of terminating a BNC connector to your coax cable is very simple but there is a small investment in tools to do so. The advantages of putting your own BNC connectors on the cable are less cost, the ability to make custom cable lengths that are not offered in a premade cable, and the ability to buy bulk. If you feel that you will use the tools needed to terminate your BNC connectors for other projects than the investment should be no big deal. The compression or crimp tool you end up using is not just made for CCTV cable installations. Most tools and strippers will allow you to use them for other applications such as terminating coaxial cable for cable television or satellite application, along with the ability to use other connector types such as F connectors, RCA connectors, speaker connectors, and mini coax cable connectors. So prior to making your investment in tools you will have to evaluate if you will use these tools for other projects or installation types.
Regardless of if you are making your own CCTV cables or buying premade CCTV cables the end result is the same. You are installing a coaxial cable with BNC connectors on each end to support your security camera video. BNC connectors are simple to use and simple to install! Just make sure you have the right tools and the right products to do the job best!