Professional Techniques for Mounting Avigilon Cameras
Avigilon cameras are high-performance, enterprise-grade security devices. A successful installation requires precision and care to ensure the camera is not only secure but also weatherproof and positioned for optimal surveillance. If you're finding it hard to mount your Avigilon camera, it's often due to these professional-grade requirements.
This guide provides expert techniques and best practices to help you overcome the challenges of mounting Avigilon cameras, ensuring a secure and durable installation.
Common Difficulties in Avigilon Installation
Mounting Avigilon cameras can present unique challenges compared to consumer-grade devices. Here's what you might be up against:
- Mounting Template and Hole Misalignment: The drill template doesn't seem to match the required holes for a specific junction box or surface.
- Complex Mounting Adapters: You're struggling to assemble or attach specialised mounts, such as pendant, corner, or NPT adapters.
- Weatherproofing and Sealing: You're concerned about properly sealing the camera housing and cable connections to protect them from moisture ingress.
- Field of View Alignment: The process of aiming the lens, especially on a multi-imager camera, is proving to be challenging.
- Cable Management: Fitting the camera's pigtail (the bundle of cables) neatly and safely within the mounting bracket or junction box is tight.
A Guide to a Secure and Weatherproof Mount
Follow these professional steps for a successful Avigilon camera installation.
1. Pre-Installation: Use the Right Mount for the Job
Avigilon offers a comprehensive range of mounting accessories. Using the correct one is critical.
- Junction Box: For almost all outdoor installations, a compatible Avigilon junction box is essential. It provides a secure mounting point and, crucially, a weatherproof space to house the Ethernet and I/O connections.
- Pendant Wall Mount: Use this for mounting a dome camera on a vertical wall, allowing it to hang down for a clear view.
- Corner and Pole Mounts: These are specialised adapters that attach to pendant wall mounts, allowing for installation on the corner of a building or on a utility pole.
- Check Compatibility: Always double-check that the mounting adapter you have is compatible with your specific Avigilon camera model.
2. The Mounting Process: Precision is Key
- Use the Template: Always use the drill template sticker provided. It ensures your holes are perfectly spaced. For junction boxes, the template should align with the box's screw holes.
- Drill and Fix Securely: Use the appropriate drill bit and anchors for the mounting surface (e.g., masonry bits for concrete, wood bits for timber). Secure the mount or junction box to the surface so it is completely rigid.
- Cable Gland and Sealing: Feed your Ethernet cable through the rubber cable gland in the junction box or mount. Once the camera is connected, tighten the gland nut firmly. This compresses the rubber seal around the cable, creating a waterproof entry point. Use the included plugs to seal any unused cable entry holes.
3. Camera Attachment and Cable Management
- Connect the Pigtail: Connect your main Ethernet cable to the camera's pigtail inside the junction box. Carefully tuck the connection and any excess cable neatly inside the box. Avoid sharply bending or kinking the cables.
- Attach the Camera: Secure the camera to the mount or junction box using the provided machine screws. Many Avigilon cameras have a lanyard to hold the camera securely while you make the connections, preventing it from falling.
- Gasket Check: Before sealing the camera with its dome cover, inspect the rubber gasket. Ensure it is clean, free of debris, and properly seated in its channel. A pinched or dirty gasket will compromise the weatherproof seal.
4. Final Aiming and Sealing
- Aim the Lens: Power on the camera and access its web interface. Adjust the lens to get the precise field of view you require. For multi-imager cameras, you will need to adjust each sensor individually.
- Secure the Dome: Place the dome cover on, ensuring it is correctly aligned, and tighten the security screws (often Torx screws) in an even pattern. Do not overtighten, but ensure the dome is held firmly against the gasket.
By following these professional practices, you can ensure your Avigilon camera is mounted securely, protected from the elements, and ready to provide reliable surveillance.