CCTV Accessories

Our CCTV accessories include cables, connectors, power supplies, brackets, junction boxes, monitors, hard drives and network switches for HD over Coax and IP CCTV systems. If you're not sure what your system needs, there's a quick checklist below the products.

That depends on whether your system is HD over Coax or IP, so decide that first. Our CCTV Buyers Guide explains the difference. Then run through this list before you order, so you're not waiting on a second delivery halfway through the install.

A hard drive

Our kits don't include a hard drive as standard, but you can add one as an option on the kit's product page. If you're buying a recorder on its own or already have a kit, you'll find drives in our CCTV hard drives section. Without one the recorder will show live view but won't record anything.

Cable

HD over Coax systems run on RG59 coax, usually with a power cable alongside. You can use Cat5 instead if you fit a pair of Cat5 baluns to each camera run. IP systems use Cat5e or Cat6 throughout.

Power

HD over Coax cameras need 12V DC power, either from a single supply at each camera or a multi-way supply by the recorder. IP cameras are normally powered over the network cable (PoE) from the recorder or a switch, so they don't need a separate supply.

Connectors

Plug and play cables come in set lengths with the ends already fitted. If you're buying a reel (usually 100m or 305m), you'll need to fit your own connectors: BNCs for the video and DC plugs for power on coax, or RJ45s on Cat5e and Cat6.

Junction boxes

Your camera is weatherproof, but the cable connections behind it aren't. I've had "faulty" systems reported to us that turned out to be connections left sitting in a gutter. If the camera is going on an exposed brick wall, fit a junction box so the connections are sealed in and you don't have to drill a large hole through the brick. Under the eaves, you can usually drill a small hole into the loft and keep the connections dry inside.

A monitor

Most of our recorders have HDMI and VGA outputs, so any modern TV or monitor will do. You don't need one connected once everything is set up, but having a screen to hand while you line up cameras makes the install much easier. If you haven't got a spare, we sell CCTV monitors too.

Extras for larger systems

If you have more IP cameras than your recorder has PoE ports, you'll need a PoE network switch. For PTZ cameras, a PTZ controller gives you joystick control of pan, tilt and zoom.

Still not sure? Call us on 01902 213 999 or try our Find My System tool. Five minutes on the phone beats a stalled install.