How to Install a CCTV Security Camera
Mount and wire a CCTV security camera cleanly using a weatherproof junction box, power-over-ethernet cable run, and proper wall anchors.
- Read the tools, materials, safety notes, and steps below for free.
- Tap Start Camera Coach when you want hands-free voice help.
- Allow camera and microphone. Point your phone at the work; the coach watches your progress and tells you the next step.
🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ Cordless drill
- ✓ Masonry/wood drill bit set
- ✓ Phillips head screwdriver
- ✓ Stud finder with voltage detector
- ✓ Step ladder
- ✓ Fish tape or wire coat hanger
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ CCTV camera with mounting base
- ✓ Weatherproof junction box
- ✓ Cat6 Ethernet cable
- ✓ Wall anchors and mounting screws
- ✓ Exterior grade silicone caulk
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Scan the target drill area with a live voltage detector to avoid hidden electrical conduits.
- • Set the step ladder on level ground with all four feet firmly planted and spreaders fully locked.
- • Keep power turned off at the PoE switch or NVR before terminating or plugging exposed wires.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (6 Steps)
Select Location and Tape Drill Template
Position the camera mounting template at the chosen overhang, soffit, or exterior wall at least 8-10 feet high. Use painter's tape to secure the paper template flat against the surface. Verify that the lens orientation points toward the intended coverage zone without obstruction from gutters or siding.
- • Paper drill template taped flat against the surface with no wrinkles
- • Target area scanned and free of live wiring alerts
- • Mounting too high, causing extreme downward angles that capture only the tops of heads
- • Taping the template upside down or misaligning the central cable feed hole
Drill Mounting and Cable Entry Holes
Chuck a pilot bit into your drill and bore the marked screw holes into the wall or soffit. Switch to a larger spade or masonry bit (typically 5/8-inch to 3/4-inch) and drill the center hole for the Ethernet cable feed. Blow away loose masonry dust or wood shavings from the drilled holes.
- • Three clean anchor holes surrounding one larger, clean center pass-through hole
- • No major blow-out or cracking around the drilled openings
- • Drilling the center hole too small to pass the RJ45 connector through
- • Drilling at an upward angle which allows rainwater to travel along the cable into the building
Route Cable and Insert Wall Anchors
Feed the Ethernet cable through the center hole from the inside using fish tape if navigating insulation. Tap plastic wall anchors flush into the outer pilot holes using the back of a screwdriver handle. Pull out about 6 to 8 inches of slack cable on the exterior side for ease of connection.
- • Plastic anchors seated completely flush with the wall surface
- • 6 to 8 inches of intact Cat6 cable hanging out of the center hole
- • Bashing anchors too hard, bending or splitting them
- • Leaving insufficient cable slack to connect the camera securely
Fasten Junction Box and Apply Sealant
Apply a continuous bead of exterior silicone sealant along the top and side perimeter of the junction box backplate. Route the cable through the waterproof rubber grommet on the box. Drive the mounting screws firmly through the box holes into the wall anchors until rigid.
- • Junction box tight against the wall with no wobble
- • Visible thin bead of silicone squeezed along the top and side seams, with bottom seam left unsealed for drainage
- • Sealing all four sides completely, trapping condensation inside the junction box
- • Overtightening screws and cracking the plastic junction box casing
Connect Waterproof Cable Gland and Plug In
Slide the camera's waterproof seal ring, rubber core, and outer collar over the incoming cable in order. Firmly snap the RJ45 jack into the camera's female port until you hear a clear click. Screw the weatherproofing gland collar tightly over the connector to form a watertight seal, then tuck excess slack inside the box.
- • RJ45 connector fully seated with its lock clip engaged
- • Waterproof collar threaded tightly over the camera pigtail connection with rubber gasket compressed
- • Forgetting to thread the waterproof collar onto the wire before plugging in the RJ45 jack
- • Pinching wires between the junction box faceplate and the base when closing
Mount Camera Body and Aim Lens
Attach the camera dome or bullet housing to the junction box faceplate using the provided machine screws. Power on the NVR/PoE switch and monitor the live feed while manually loosening the camera's adjustment ring. Aim the lens to capture entry points and eliminate dead zones, then torque the lock collar firmly by hand.
- • Camera housing locked tightly to junction box faceplate
- • Camera status LED illuminated and lens oriented horizontally level toward target area
- • Leaving the tilt/swivel ring loose, allowing wind or vibrations to shift the camera view
- • Aiming too close to a wall, causing infrared night-vision backscatter into the lens
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by Electric Pro Tips — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No Fish tape? Straightened metal coat hanger with a taped hook on the end
- No Weatherproof junction box? Direct camera base mount with silicone sealant packed into the center feed hole