Re: Running wire for security cameras, and tips on fishing wire?

["Crash Gordon" <webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Don't laugh I knew a guy that used to post wire homes with a circular saw
with several blades on the shaft, and slot the entire exterior wall of the
house around the perimeter!


"Frank Olson" <Use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:0%jof.112716$ki.32819@xxxxxxxxxxx
| BIOSMonkey wrote:
| > I would like to install about 4 cameras around my house, not necessarily
for
| > security but to see who's at the front door, monitor the kid's
playground, etc.
| >
| > My plan is to install these cameras, run them to the equipment room
under the
| > stairs in my basement, then get channel modulators to insert them into
my cable
| > system (or maybe run them into a quad generator to create one channel).
| >
| > Without knowing yet what kind of cameras I will get, what wiring should
I run?
| > Just a coax and 2 conductor power?  For cameras with other features,
such as
| > motion trigger, or audio, do I need more conductors?
|
| RG-59U, Some Cat 5, and a two or four conductor 18AWG will just about
| cover everything that's out there.
|
|
| >
| > Also I am at a loss to figure out how to easily fish these wires through
my
| > outside walls to the basement.  Obviously I want them to be hidden and
| > inaccessible to someone with wire cutters, but I don't see how I can run
them
| > down inside the siding with the boards and insulation on the other side.
How do
| > you guys do it?
|
| That part I like...  We use a chain saw.  We rip a wire way channel down
| the inside wall (make sure you wear a good quality dust mask and
| protective clothing to avoid injury from flying splinters, odd bits of
| nail and insulation).  It's also a good idea to use a well insulated
| chainsaw in case you hit a live 110 or 220 VAC wire.  Lay your wire in
| the channel you've just created and staple it all down.  Stuff some
| insulation on top, and nail on a thin strip of drywall.  Don't forget to
| tell you wife that you're leaving it like this so that you can open the
| wireway anytime you need to service it.
|
| Seriously, you'll need to get yourself some basic tools as well as some
| more specialized ones like a 6 foot flex-bit, and a good quality fish
| tape.  Judging from your comments you have good access to the basement
| (that it's largely unfinished).  Drilling or fishing down an outside
| wall is never easy, but is possible.  You have to be careful about
| displacing insulation or damaging the vapour barrier.  A fire-stop can
| make what looks like an "easy run" a tad more difficult too.
| Maintaining separation from higher voltage AC wiring also has to be
| considered.  Sometimes it's easier to go "up" into the attic and then
| down an inside wall to the basement.  Without actually seeing what you
| want to do or the way your home is constructed, it would be difficult to
| comment on which technique is going to work best.  If you've never done
| this before, it would probably be a lot easier (and wiser) to have a
| "Pro" run the wire for you.  He'll have all the gear necessary.  You'll
| have to pay out some bucks but you'll have fewer headaches.