fred3 0 Posted October 16, 2016 I run a computer and networking business in a rural area. So, I end up being the go-to guy for things electronic. With the computer and networking integration of surveillance cameras, I naturally get called in to deal with camera systems. I've worked in the electronics and video industries so I know enough about a lot of things EXCEPT practical things about camera systems. This is the kind of thing that YOU deal with every day and I rarely deal with. I have to replace an 8-output 12vdc box that's failed. There are 2 in the facility and I replaced the other early this year. The old boxes come with female barrel connector outputs. The new boxes require that I add pigtailed connectors. So, I bought those separately. The other end goes into a manufactured siamese cable. As I recall, I had to adapt the other output pigtails to match the siamese cable end. And there are so many of those )#%)#%(& barrel connector types. For example, theses: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N8C49OA/ref=pd_bxgy_23_img_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XVJPVRWX6RXRMCN5W9C9 The seller says they are NOT 5.5 - 2.1 exactly and won't work because the center conductor pins/sockets are a bit greater than 2.1mm (but are clearly not 2.5mm) ... and only that they *will* work together. I take it that cameras have a 5.5 - 2.1mm male power plug. So may I assume that all (or most) siamese cables come with a female 5.5-2.1 socket at the camera end and a 5.5-2.1 plug at the other end? If you had to buy pigtails for a power supply, what would you buy? What are these things called. Well, OK, I know they are barrel connectors but what about types / sizes? I can either buy things at a local tiny Radio Shack shop or I can obviously buy on the internet. But the latter requires knowing what to buy, what it's called, etc. So many times (like the link above) they don't even call out a type/size, etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tomcctv 187 Posted October 16, 2016 Hi. Why use pig tails Why not connect the power side of the siamese cable to the power box. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
