Video camera systems become the essential electronics as part of your home appliances, more and more people concerns how to maintain the video surveillance system, therefore can not only let you achieve the desired video surveillance result, also may extend the lifespan of your system. Leo is the security expert, he repents us the 15 practical tips for maintaining the video camera systems. Following these tips can avoid your system to become very expensive yet ineffective CCTV system.

1# Clean your camera’s lens

Accumulated dirt or dust on your camera lens will result in blur image or the camera will have a difficult time seeing the monitored area, and your image quality will suffer. Using the dry rag cloth to clean the camera’s body, then using a compressed air to blow the lens and remove all loose debris before using microfiber cloth to remove dust and dirt on camera’s lens. A microfiber cloth is made specifically for cleaning the glass surface on camera lenses, it can avoid making scratches on lens.

2# Check for wiring

Check out all connectors for signs of corrosion. If you found any corroded one, replace it immediately since it can cause the rest of the equipment to short out. Check the quality of the wiring cables, making sure the core wires are not corroded. Corroded cable will degrade your image quality for CCTV system, meanwhile result in unstable video transmission.

3# Clean your NVR/DVR

The recorder may accumulate a layer of dust over time, and this must be wiped of regularly to prevent it from affecting the recorder’s performance. Using a dry microfiber cloth to wipe your NVR or blower to dust the crevices.

4# Emptying the HDDs

Every NVR/DVR needs to install at least one hard drive to record the video data, but even as big as 2 Terabyte will only store about 2 weeks of HD video from a single camera. Although the recorder can automatically re-write the old data when the HDD is full. You may periodically backup and delete the video one the HDD fills up.

5# Check camera’s housing

No matter it’s indoor or outdoor installation, we recommend users to use the waterproof cameras. The camera’s enclosures should remain water proof and you can check this by opening your security camera’s housing to check for signs of water, dirt and condensation. This way, you will know whether the enclosures are still protecting the cameras from rain and dust.

6# Check the power source

Using uninterrupted power supply (UPS), instead of regular power supply, this way, the system can still work even it encounters power outage unexpectedly, Periodically check your UPS status to ensure the battery is fully charged and don’t show any warning lights. For professional users, you even can use a voltmeter to verify that your security cameras are receiving their recommend power requirements. Otherwise, the camera may fail soon and it’s always cheaper to replace the power supply than buy a new security camera.

7# Regularly review camera position set ups

This should be done to ensure optimum location and camera focus. Add or even relocate the camera if the circumstances change.

8# Post 24/7 video surveillance warning signage

Making a small investment in professional signage can help mitigate risks by confirming that you are in fact using video surveillance around your premises. Visible signage is the first lie of deterrence and helps enforce your property boundaries.

9# Verify the recording function at least once per week

Have a reminder to check on the camera system recording ability each week. It’s always important to find if there is something wrong with the system before a major security incident actually occurs, only for you to find that you have useable footage of the incident.

10# Check the lighting

Ensuring that all the important areas have sufficient lighting to illuminate suspects for easy identification. You may include an extra camera to capture fill the frame images of potential suspects as they move about your home in addition to the ones that cover the whole scene.

11# Set the correct date and time

Ensure the system displays correct date and time, brief power outage or network disruption may make it necessary for the time and date to be set.

12# Trim the landscaping

Check all your outdoors camera view to make sure that all provide a clear view. Keep bushes, vines, trees and other plants near the cameras trimmed to prevent them from obstructing the camera.