If you have a surveillance system with multiple cameras; then you are most likely using a CCTV power box with multiple inputs to power all of your CCTV cameras. Sometimes if your surveillance system goes offline and it seems your power supply is bad; that may not actually be the case. Let’s go over some steps we can take to make sure that’s the problem.
First step or last step
The first or last step may be to take another CCTV power supply and replace the one in question to see if it starts receiving power with this new one.
Now, this is an easy first step for a surveillance installer or dealer to take, as they most likely have quick access to another power source. For an average installer or customer; this can be a bit more complicated to do and would really be a last resort type of scenario.
Whichever step you end up doing this in, you will have 2 different results. The new power box will work and power your surveillance system; or will have the same faults as the other.
If it works, you have most likely discovered that your problem is with the power box. On the other hand if this new box also fails; then most likely you have eliminated the power box as a source of failure.
Next step: short camera?
If you have a security camera that has an electrical short in its connection to its power supply; then this would force your power supply to shut down. Testing this can take a bit of time, but you’ll need to individually connect each camera to its power supply and test if one of them is preventing the system from turning on.
If you find a camera that is shorting out the system; then you will need to determine if it is the CCTV cable or the security camera. To do this, you’ll need to get another power and video cable or grab one from a working source and try the camera again. If this works; then your problem lies with the cable and it needs to be replaced. If the new cable doesn’t work; then you will need to check your camera’s power connections and possibly replace the camera.
Isn’t that a camera short? Test the main power cord and connection
Honestly, this should be the first step before anything else; because if he is at fault it saves you a lot of time. Each CCTV power box will have a plug that plugs into an outlet, and to test this you can either try replacing the cable or you can plug it into multiple outlets to see if the outlet has the fault.
check the fuse
If you only experience power outages on certain security cameras; then you may have a blown fuse (assuming you use a fused power supply). Most CCTV power boxes come with spare fuses, and replacing the fuse may do the trick.
By trying these various troubleshooting methods; you can more accurately determine where your CCTV power problem lies.
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