How To Power Outdoor Security Camera
With so many outdoor security cameras on the market, there can be so many different ways to make it work. It could be difficult to tell how they actually get to be working through their names. If you’re thinking about how to power outdoor security camera, you need to understand that there are several options to power it.
Security cameras require a lot of power to run. So if you want to be knowledgeable about how to power outdoor security cameras, then you’ve come into the right place. In this article, you will know different ways on how to keep your outdoor security cameras working and all the possible ways to power it up on your own. Knowing about these will help you with troubleshooting and possible malfunction that will happen.
Ways to Power an Outdoor Security Camera
Perhaps you plan on purchasing security cameras for your home or your office. However, you want to install it on your own, but you don't know how to power outdoor security camera yet. Rather than hiring a technician, here are how to power outdoor security camera to save money and be equipped with the knowledge to help in the future.
Power Through Plugging In
One of the common ways to power appliances, chargers, and cameras is through plugging in. This is a well-known approach on how to power outdoor security camera. Even wireless security cameras still need to have a cable for power and plugged into the electrical outlet. Just because it is wireless doesn’t mean it doesn’t need a cable to get power.
That’s why if you’re going to power up an outdoor security camera, you must always consider the distance between the power and the security camera. You must also know that wired security cameras don’t necessarily mean that you need to have extra cables. As long as you chose the appropriate camera, just like the PoE (Power over Ethernet) security cameras, you’ll get power and will be able to transmit data only in one cable.
Through Solar Power
Another option on how to power outdoor security camera is through solar power. There will also be no actual cable to be used, as you will need a solar panel to collect the solar power, making your security camera that comes with rechargeable batteries store solar energy. Most of the time, these are sold separately, but there are also security cameras that are a total package.
Several brands of security cameras get power through solar power, just like the Reolink Argus 2, which happens to be the most popular and ranks as the best among the security cameras. You also need to understand that some solar cameras will just work on fast cellular data such as the 4G/3G. This will make video surveillance more possible to remote places that have a weak internet connection.
Battery Powered
Another way on how to power outdoor security camera is through batteries. This means your outdoor security camera will get power without using any wire at all. It's indeed a wire-free solution, and using a cable is not needed for the power supply and data transmission.
As the name suggests, the outdoor security camera operates on batteries; hence, it does not need another electrical power source. However, battery life is the main concern that hinders you from getting a rechargeable camera. But, there’s no need to worry, as the battery concern is just so easy to deal with.
You must know that battery-powered security cameras will only work when a motion or movement is detected. This could really save battery life, and there is no need to worry about power outages since you will be notified about the required power for your security camera through the software. There are also ways to extend your security camera's battery life; check on these:
- Get a battery-powered security camera with PIR motion sensors.
- The motion sensor sensibility should be adjusted.
- Set a schedule for motion detection time.
- Place your camera in fewer traffic areas and temperate conditions.
- Always see to it that your security cameras are running on the up-to-date firmware.
Do Outdoor Security Cameras Work When the Power is out?
It should go without saying that your security cameras will need a power source. Generally, security cameras will really stop working when it’s out of power. But after reading the 3 ways on how to power outdoor security camera, I’m sure you already know the answer. Yes, it works. However, it depends on what kind of security camera you’re using.
The solar power and battery-powered camera can still work when the electricity is out, but the wired outdoor security cameras can’t work when there is a power outage. It’s easy to understand that machines don’t work without power. The same goes for security cameras; when everything is out, then making it work would be impossible. Find out more about security cameras.
Conclusion
The ways on how to power outdoor security cameras would affect the camera's application and use. You need to understand the difference among the 3 ways to power your camera to get the camera that fits your needs. If you're having a hard time figuring out, then maybe the help of professional technicians would do. They could help you with the installation and give you knowledge about the security cameras you have.
Of course, understanding ways to power for outdoor security cameras will also give you safety and awareness. There may be faults that may come in the way. But this will never be hard as long as you know how to handle it.
