CST Surveillance Systems Installation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When installing an IP camera in an outdoor environment, which cable type is most appropriate for runs exposed to direct sunlight and temperature extremes?
- Standard Cat5e UTP
- UV-rated outdoor Cat6 with direct-burial jacket (Correct answer)
- RG59 coaxial with BNC connectors
- Single-mode fiber with SC connectors
Correct answer: UV-rated outdoor Cat6 with direct-burial jacket
UV-rated outdoor Cat6 with direct-burial jacket is designed to resist sunlight degradation, moisture, and temperature extremes common in outdoor installations.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a camera housing's IP66 rating in a surveillance installation?
- It indicates the camera supports 6 megapixel resolution
- It certifies protection against powerful water jets and dust ingress (Correct answer)
- It specifies the maximum operating temperature of 66°C
- It denotes compatibility with 6 PoE standards
Correct answer: It certifies protection against powerful water jets and dust ingress
IP66 is an ingress protection rating where the first digit (6) means dust-tight and the second digit (6) means protection against powerful water jets.
Question 3: During a surveillance installation, you discover that the total cable run to a distant camera will be 320 feet of Cat6. What is the likely concern?
- Cat6 cannot carry video signals beyond 100 feet
- The run exceeds the 328-foot (100m) Ethernet specification limit (Correct answer)
- PoE cannot function at distances greater than 200 feet
- Copper cable cannot support PTZ camera control beyond 300 feet
Correct answer: The run exceeds the 328-foot (100m) Ethernet specification limit
The IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard limits copper UTP cable runs to 328 feet (100 meters), beyond which signal degradation can cause connectivity issues.
Question 4: A surveillance technician is mounting a dome camera on a drop ceiling T-bar grid. Which mounting accessory is most appropriate?
- Surface mount box with conduit knockout
- Pendant mount with junction box
- Flush mount ring designed for T-bar grid installation (Correct answer)
- Parapet mount bracket with lag bolts
Correct answer: Flush mount ring designed for T-bar grid installation
A flush mount ring designed for T-bar grid installation allows the dome camera to sit level within the ceiling tile grid without requiring structural penetration.
Question 5: When terminating a shielded Cat6 cable for an IP camera, what must be done with the drain wire and foil shield to prevent ground loops?
- Connect the shield at both ends to create a continuous ground path
- Connect the shield only at one end, typically the NVR/switch end (Correct answer)
- Remove the shield entirely before termination to avoid interference
- Connect the shield to the camera chassis at the field end only
Correct answer: Connect the shield only at one end, typically the NVR/switch end
Grounding a shielded cable at only one end (the equipment end) prevents ground loops that can introduce hum and noise into the system.
Question 6: What type of conduit is recommended for surveillance cable runs inside a wall cavity between floors in a commercial building to meet fire code requirements?
- Schedule 40 PVC conduit
- EMT (Electrical Metallic Tubing) (Correct answer)
- ENT (Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing) flexible conduit
- Liquid-tight flexible metal conduit
Correct answer: EMT (Electrical Metallic Tubing)
EMT is a metallic conduit that meets fire-stop and building code requirements for in-wall commercial installations and also provides physical cable protection.
Question 7: A technician is installing a varifocal camera and needs to adjust the lens after mounting. Which tool is typically required for this adjustment?
- Torque wrench calibrated to 15 in-lbs
- Allen wrench or flat-blade screwdriver to adjust zoom and focus rings (Correct answer)
- Oscilloscope to verify video signal quality
- Level and plumb bob for precise aim adjustment
Correct answer: Allen wrench or flat-blade screwdriver to adjust zoom and focus rings
Varifocal lenses have manual zoom and focus adjustment rings that are turned using an Allen wrench or screwdriver, then locked once the desired field of view is achieved.
CST Surveillance Systems Installation 2
When installing an IP camera in an outdoor environment, which cable type is most appropriate for runs exposed to direct sunlight and temperature extremes?