Fiber Optics Training, Electronic Security Networking Technician (ESNT) and IP Networking Security Training Classes and Manuals

COURSE DEMO Page 9 of 12

Press the "Forward" button to continue.

CCTV and Access Control Applications

Why Fiber Optics is Used

Imagine that we want to install eight CCTV cameras in a building that is 300 meters (1000 ft.) from the monitoring station. If installed with coaxial copper cable, the eight RG6 cables will require a 2 inch diameter conduit, and the total cable will weigh approximately 900 pounds, or 400 kilos. These same cameras can be connected to the monitoring station with a single strand of multimode fiber, that is 3 millimeters in diameter, weighs less than 4 kilos (9 pounds) and can fit in a ½” conduit. This same fiber can be used bi-directionally to deliver pan/tilt/zoom commands to the camera mounts and lens, and transmit access control data for door control. Fiber has much greater bandwidth, and is smaller than comparable quantities of copper coax. Also, a 300 meter roll of fiber is much less expensive than the eight 300 meter rolls of coax copper needed to connect the cameras.

Here is an example of the ability of fiber optic systems to be easily and quickly upgraded. Here is a four camera system, connected via fiber from one building to another. Let’s assume that there is only one fiber strand available to connect the remote cameras to the monitoring station. What if the client decides he wants two more cameras in the remote building? Will it be necessary to install a new fiber cable, digging up the parking lot in the process?

Instead of a costly and time consuming cable installation, the transmitter and receiver can be upgraded to carry the additional cameras requested. This concept will also work for the customer who wants to add access control commands, data, voice, virtually any combination of signals can be connected to the fiber strand.

Because fiber is made of silica glass, it does not corrode as will copper cable.