Why do you need a power supply for CCTV cameras?

[wax 0]

I know this is a silly question but I'm very new. I've seen pictures of power supplies for cameras and I was wondering why we need them?

[kensplace 0]

Cameras wont work without power?

 

Or do you mean specialist power supplies with multiple outputs?

 

Those can save money, make a tidier install, can be safer etc.

[wax 0]

Cameras wont work without power?

 

Or do you mean specialist power supplies with multiple outputs?

 

Those can save money, make a tidier install, can be safer etc.

 

I mean, what's the difference between using a wall outlet and buying a power supply? I think that answers my question though. Only information I found is that it makes a friendlier install.

[Soundy 1]

Cameras wont work without power?

 

Or do you mean specialist power supplies with multiple outputs?

 

Those can save money, make a tidier install, can be safer etc.

 

I mean, what's the difference between using a wall outlet and buying a power supply? I think that answers my question though. Only information I found is that it makes a friendlier install.

 

Imagine you have 16 cameras, each with its own wall-wart... you get messes like this:

 

 

Compare that, to this:

 

 

It makes installation cleaner and easier, and it makes troubleshooting later FAR easier. Most of these supplies use fused outputs... finding and replacing a blown fuse is a damn sight easier than tracking down and replacing a bad adapter in spaghetti messes like those pictured above!

[wax 0]

That's pretty funny and leads me to another question. What type of maintenance do i need on a DVR system and is it complicated to replace a blown fuse?

[Soundy 1]

Maintenance for a DVR? Not much... clean the dust out now and then, make sure it's in a low-dust, well-ventilated area. For PC-based ones, you can run HDD and RAM diagnostic utilities from time to time to make sure everything is hunky-dory.

 

Replacing a fuse tends to be fairly easy in most devices - easy replacement IS half the point of a fuse, after all. Look at the power supply above - there's a master fuse in the AC feed of each transformer, then there's a main fuse on each distribution board, and a fuse for each channel - just pop one out and pop in another of the correct type.