BNC Baluns are used for Analog Cameras Over Cat5e or Cat6 Cable. Passive(Non Powered) BNC Baluns can have Lengths up to or close to 1000ft and Ive seen some Avtive(Powered) BNC Baluns claim to be able to handle up to 3500ft.
Ill be honest I done even remember the last time I installed a Active BNC Balun. If I get a Job that Requires one Ill post about it but its not likely to happen since most new Installs will be Network based in environments that used to require one. Passive BNC Baluns are still useful even in Residential Environments.
With the use of a BNC Transceiver and Baluns you will only need to drop One Cat6 Cable down the wall for 4 Cameras( or 2 for 8, ect ). This saves alot of Labor and you dont loose Quality. I dont know about you but dropping 8 Siamese Cables down a residential wall is not fun. So lets get started wiring one shall we.
Note: When Installing BNC Baluns make sure the Cable is not Kinked in any way or the Video Quality will be Bad or Flickering.
Tools Needed
Mini Screwdriver
UTP Wire Strippers
Snips
Step 1: Strip your Cat6 Cable with your Strippers. About 1 Inch.
Step 2: Using your Snips Strip about 1/4in off on one of the pairs.
Step 3: Loosen the screws on the BNC Balun and Insert the pairs in the Negative and Positive. I do Solid Negative and White Positive.
Step 4: Repeat with the other Pairs.
Step 5: You have a few different options for the next step.
You could Terminate a RJ-45 at the other end and plug into your BNC Transceiver. (Recommended)
You can Repeat the Process at the other end of the Cable and use BNC Couplers to hook up to your Siamese Cable.
Or you could hard wire Directly to the BNC Transceiver.
BNC/Audio/Power Baluns
The next type of Balun we are going to Wire Up Also Supports Audio and Power over Cat6. You could use Cat5e for these but I recommend Cat6 due to better Shielding.
The only thing you have to do with these is Run a Cat6 Cable and Plug into your Camera and DVR. You could use a pre made Cat6 Cable or make your own.
Materials Used In This Article