Common Mistakes to Avoid When Installing CCTV Systems

By Admin | Jun 24, 2025

A CCTV system can protect your property, but only if it’s set up properly.

You can buy the best cameras, but a few small mistakes during installation can make the entire system weak, unreliable, or useless when you need it most.

Before you drill the first hole or run the first cable, make sure you know what to avoid.

1. Placing Cameras in the Wrong Spots

Not every location needs a camera, and not every camera sees the same way.

Common errors:

Mounting too high or too low
Missing key entry points
Overlapping fields of view unnecessarily
Ignoring dark corners or back exits

Tip: Start with a walk-through. Look at all access points—gates, doors, windows, alleys. Think like someone trying to break in. Where would you hide?

2. Using the Wrong Type of Camera

Not all cameras are equal.

Some are built for indoors. Some for outside. Some have night vision. Others don’t. Some see widely. Others zoom in.

Checklist before buying:

Indoor or outdoor?
Day or night use?
Fixed or rotating view?
Bullet or dome design?
Wired or wireless?

Choose what fits your space, not just what’s available in the shop.

3. Poor Cable Management

Dangling wires look messy and make your system easier to tamper with.

4. Forgetting to Secure the DVR/NVR

Cameras record, but your DVR or NVR holds the footage. If it’s out in the open, anyone can steal it—and the evidence with it.

Secure your recorder:

Place it in a locked cabinet
Keep it in a staff-only room
Use a UPS to avoid power loss
Set a strong admin password

Some systems also support cloud backups. Use them for critical cameras.

5. Not Testing Before Final Installation

You should never mount cameras permanently before testing their view.

Common results of skipping this:

Capturing the ceiling or the ground
Blind spots where activity happens
Too much glare from lights or windows

Do a dry run. Mount temporarily. Check the footage. Make adjustments. Then fix it in place.

6. Using the Wrong Power Supply

Each camera needs stable power. Using cheap or underpowered PSUs can cause:

Flickering video
Cameras restarting randomly
Shortened device lifespan

Make sure your power supply matches the total current your system needs. Always leave a margin of safety.

7. Ignoring Network Settings (for IP Systems)

If you use IP cameras and NVRs, your network setup matters.

Avoid:

IP conflicts
Poor router placement
Weak Wi-Fi for wireless cameras
Forgetting to set static IPs for fixed devices

If you don’t understand networking, get a technician who does. A well-installed camera is useless if it can’t connect.

8. Not Setting Up Remote Access

You bought a smart system. Why not use it smartly?

Remote access lets you:

View footage on your phone
Get alerts when something moves
Share the video if needed

Many people skip this step or leave it half-configured. Take the time to finish it. Install the app. Set up alerts. Learn how to check footage remotely.

9. Skipping Maintenance

CCTV isn’t a set-and-forget system.

Cameras collect dust. Lenses fog up. Wires shift. HDDs fill up.

Schedule checks every 3–6 months to:

Clean lenses
Check angle and alignment
Test playback
Replace failing HDDs
Check power and cable connections

A clean camera records better. A working HDD keeps your footage.

10. Leaving the System Without Passwords

Yes, it happens.

Installers finish the job and leave the default login details. Or users never change them.

That means anyone—even online—can access your feed.

Always:

Change default passwords
Use strong credentials
Limit access rights for users
Keep firmware updated

Final Thought

CCTV should make you feel safer, not give you more work.

By avoiding these mistakes, you build a system that works when you need it most. Plan properly. Use the right tools. Secure everything. Then test and maintain it.

Your future self will thank you.

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