Outdoor Camera and WAP Surge Protection

How to Surge Protect IP Cameras, NVRs, WAPs and Pathways Back into the Building

POE Cameras: TPD-CAT6-POE

BNC Cameras: TPD-CAM-BNC

WAPs: TPD-CAT6-POE

Power Supplies: TPD-24LIT4, TPD-24LIT12, TPD-24LIT24

Installation Tips

Protect the Head End
Install the TPD-CAT6-POE in series at the network/switch inside the building.

High-exposure Locations
You can protect the camera end, but make sure you always use a poly enclosure, never metal. Bond it using a ground wire pulled from inside the building (never a local pole or ground rod).

Avoid Multiple Grounds
Extra local grounds introduce dangerous ground-loop surges. Use one star-point ground at the power source.

Isolate Metal Structures
Break the metal-to-metal connection between poles and camera housings whenever possible.

How It Works

Outdoor cameras and wireless access points are some of the easiest devices to surge-protect, yet also some of the most misunderstood. Lightning doesn’t have to strike a pole or the camera itself to cause damage. These devices are often mounted to metal, trees, and buildings, and wired back into POE switches and your internal network. When lightning hits the ground or a nearby structure, it induces energy onto those long copper wire runs, and that surge races back into the building looking for electrical ground. A single outdoor camera can take down an entire switch or network.

Where Should I Install Surge Protection for Outdoor Cameras?

Ninety-nine percent of the time, the answer is at the head end. If a camera or WAP is outside, the surge almost always gets on the wire and travels inward because the building’s electrical ground is the largest ground reference point. Installing the TPD-CAT6-POE in series at the network end intercepts that energy before it reaches the switch. This is the correct starting point for nearly all residential and commercial projects.

Applications and Common Problems Solved

Entry Security, Gates and Fences
Gates are major lightning attractors that typically include a long CAT6 run from the home's network to the gate, cameras mounted to the gate post or fence, and a POE switch or injector at the gate.

Hospital Parking Garages
Hospitals depend on garage cameras for safety and liability, so uptime is essential. In these environments, we sometimes protect both ends in certain ways. At the camera end we use poly enclosures, never metal, to prevent new ground potentials. We do not ground the protector locally; instead, we pull a ground wire from inside the building so everything ties back to one grounding point. This eliminates ground-loop surges and protects patient areas, parking decks, and staff access points.

Home with 16 Cameras
We got contacted about a home that had 16 cameras, but only one or two kept dying. Those two cameras were located at the front gate and the back fence post. Those two cameras continued to die because those are the two longest outdoor runs of wire, mounted on metal structures, and they are the most exposed to lightning. They act like antennas; lightning doesn't hit the camera, it couples onto the wire and heads toward the house. Placing a TPD surge protector at the head-end protects the house from getting damaged as well.

University with 160 Cameras on Metal Poles
One of our most memorable cases involved 160 outdoor cameras mounted on 160 metal poles. To "fix" the surge issue, someone installed a local ground rod at the base end of each pole. It made the problem worse! Those extra grounds created multiple ground potentials and ground-loop pathways. The real fix was removing the unnecessary local grounds and isolating the metal camera mount from the pole. Once everything was isolated and we protected at the head end, the failures stopped. It is important to not have competing grounds in a camera network. See our page on Ground Loop Surge Filters for more information on how to protect electronics from damaging ground loops and surges.

The Importance of Outdoor Camera and WAP Surge Protection

Preserve Data Integrity
Security camera data pathways are the backbone of surveillance, capturing critical video footage for monitoring and analysis. TPD surge protection shields against electrical damage, ensuring the integrity of surveillance data. Whether it's safeguarding your home or a commercial property, surge protection preserves the clarity and reliability of recorded footage.

Protect Valuable Equipment
Surveillance systems consist of valuable components, including cameras, recorders, and data storage devices. Surge-induced damage can lead to costly repairs or replacements of these components. TPD surge protection serves as a guardian, reducing the risk of electrical damage and extending the lifespan of your surveillance equipment in both residential and commercial applications.

Continuous Security Monitoring
In both residential and commercial environments, a disruption in security camera data pathways can leave properties vulnerable to security breaches. Residential users rely on surveillance for home safety, while businesses depend on it for asset protection and personnel security. TPD surge protection improves the reliability of security monitoring, fortifying security measures in both contexts.

Cost Savings
Repairing or replacing surveillance equipment can be financially burdensome. TPD surge protection acts as a financial barrier against electrical damage, mitigating the risk of unexpected repair expenses. Whether it's safeguarding your home or securing a commercial property, TPD surge protection contributes to cost savings.

Operational Continuity
In commercial settings, security camera systems are integral to various operations, including access control, incident management, and compliance. Surge-induced failures can disrupt business activities, impacting productivity and security. Security camera data pathway surge protection plays a pivotal role in maintaining operational continuity, ensuring seamless security monitoring for both businesses and clients.

Safety and Compliance
Compliance with industry standards and ensuring the reliability of surveillance evidence is paramount in both residential and commercial security setups. TPD surge protection helps meet these requirements, ensuring that surveillance systems perform reliably and adhere to industry standards. It ensures the credibility and admissibility of surveillance data in legal and compliance scenarios.

TPD surge protection for security camera data pathways is imperative for preserving data integrity, protecting valuable equipment, maintaining uninterrupted security monitoring, achieving cost-efficiency, ensuring operational continuity, and meeting industry standards in both residential and commercial applications. It provides peace of mind, reliability, and data security for homeowners and businesses alike, ensuring that every frame of surveillance data is clear, reliable, and free from disruptions.