What cable is used for security cameras

The type of cable used for security cameras depends on the type of camera and the installation setup. Here are the most common types:

1. Coaxial Cable (For Analog and HD Over Coax Cameras)

• RG59 Siamese Cable – This is the most common for CCTV (analog) cameras. It combines video (coax) and power (two-wire) in one cable.
• RG6 Cable – Similar to RG59 but has a thicker core, allowing for longer transmission distances.
• BNC Connectors – Used with RG59 and RG6 cables to connect to cameras and DVRs.

2. Ethernet Cable (For IP Cameras)

• Cat5e – Supports up to 100 meters (328 feet) of transmission, suitable for most IP cameras.
• Cat6 – Offers better speed and reduced interference, supports up to 100 meters but with higher bandwidth.
• PoE (Power over Ethernet) – IP cameras can receive both power and data through a single Ethernet cable using a PoE switch or injector.

3. Fiber Optic Cable (For Long-Distance and High-Resolution Cameras)

• Used for very long-distance installations or when high bandwidth is required.
• Requires special converters to work with standard IP cameras.

4. Power Cable (For Non-PoE Cameras)

• 18/2 Power Wire – Commonly used to supply power to cameras separately when power is not transmitted via the main video/data cable.

Would you like help selecting a cable for a specific setup?

Yes, security cameras can use coaxial cables, but it depends on the type of camera.

When Do Security Cameras Use Coaxial Cable?

1. Analog CCTV Cameras – Traditional analog cameras (CVBS) use RG59 or RG6 coaxial cable with BNC connectors to transmit video signals.
2. HD Over Coax Cameras – Modern HD security cameras, such as HD-CVI, HD-TVI, and AHD, also use coaxial cable but can transmit high-definition video (up to 4K) over longer distances.
3. Siamese Coaxial Cable – A common type used for CCTV, which combines RG59 coax (for video) and 18/2 power cable (for power).

When Coaxial Cable Is Not Used

• IP Cameras use Ethernet cables (Cat5e, Cat6, etc.) instead of coax.
• Wireless Cameras do not require cabling for video but may need power cables.