Testing powered cameras

[jwood.ok]

Hi forgive me if this is a stupid question - I'm just taking over physical security at our location and have much to learn.  As I understand it, we have a couple of types of cameras, some that are powered POE and some that require i believe an additional 24 volts.  My question is, when you have problems with cameras, what is the best way to test them, especially the ones that require the additional 24v?  We have had several times where it would be useful to test this.  Is there a power supply I could get to do a local test on these?  Also, just out of curiousity, is there a small POE switch for testing where we don't have to break out a large switch in an office to test some of the POE cameras?  Thanks very much.

[Scott Olsen · Accepted solution]

You can usually pick up a Class2 24VAC transformer from a local electrical or lighting company for fairly cheap.  I wouldn't get anything lower than something rated 50VA.  Bonus points if it has a small inline breaker ;-)

Also, a decent handheld installation monitor can usually provide 12VDC, 24VAC, or even PoE on top of being able to test composite video signal.  Depending on your budget, it may be worth it.

Cheers!

[jwood.ok]

Scott, what connection type would you need though from the transformer in to your camera?  Thanks.

[Scott Olsen]

Well, this does really depend on whether you're using VAC or VDC, and the camera model, but most Cisco cameras ship with a number of accessories/parts for their installation. One of these is a power terminal header:

These have small screw (really, this forum is going to censor scr3w) terminals, where the stripped power wires (for say, 24VAC ~18ga) are installed.  This terminal block then plugs into the camera to provide power (if not powered via PoE, as the camera below is):

Hope this helps,

Cheers!

Message was edited by: Scott Olsen (Grammar)

[jwood.ok]

Well I think we may have a couple of models that are not PoE, but the one I'm wanting to check at the moment is this ptc.  Here is what the connection looks like:

[Scott Olsen]

Ok, I haven't had the chance to work with this camera yet, but I have one that just came in, so I'm going to unbox it now and take a look myself.

Okay.  You basically only have 1/2 of the PTZ.  You have a dome assembly, and need the second half (back box). 

Part Number:

Outside of dome:

Inside of dome:

After unlatching the IP module, it should flip up to reveal all the connectors you may need:

You could just hook up one of these back boxes and test multiple dome assemblie in it, but I'd do so with care.  The connector that joins the two modules probably isn't designed for numerous insertion and removal events.  Also, it's more likely that you'd want to test each back box as well, as a significant portion of camera electronics exists in this component as well.

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

[gsimenc]

John,

All of the Cisco cameras have some sort of install and/or user guide available, which describes avaiable powering options per camera type, as well as how to connect these.

A good start would be here: http://www.cisco.com/cisco/web/psa/install.html

As a suitable power injector, you can use Cisco's AIR-PWRJINJ4=, which delivers 15.4W of power and "talks" the IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet standard. This can be used with a number of our cameras (exceptions apply though, i.e. PTZ 2900 series).

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Gregor

[jwood.ok]

Thanks everyone.  We happened to have a 24 volt transformer we wired into the backbox and it worked great. 

Turns out the camera I was having issues with does appear to be dead.  On this other backbox the led on the box lights up but no LED on the camera again (same results as the backbox it was installed in initially).