Indoor Camera Installation Best Practices – Knowledge Base

This document is most helpful for the site designer and on-site installation personnel.

Guidelines for indoor security placement

The most optimal security camera placement depends on your property. However, there are some universal tips that everyone should follow. After all, if installed in the wrong area, a security camera can be relatively useless.

1. Whether you’re placing your security cameras inside or outdoors, the main tip is to focus on specific areas of interest. Think back to your security assessment – the path leading up to your front and back doors (home or business), the different ways people access the building, and any blind spots. In some cases, you may need multiple cameras to capture specific areas. A general rule of thumb is to install the security camera at a downward angle to allow for accurate motion detection. It’s important to note, this won’t always be necessary, especially if you’re using a wide-angle dome camera.
2. At a bare minimum, you will want at least one camera covering your front door, and potentially one monitoring your backdoor, as these are often the primary points of entry. Windows with ground floor access are also key points of vulnerability and could be monitored with cameras, window sensors, or both. Keep in mind that the gate or garage (if applicable) are also primary access points to a house or business and should be monitored as well. Security coverage of all access points should be maintained so that you can be alerted if someone attempts to enter your property.

Corners are your friends. Hanging an indoor camera in the corner of a room usually gives you the widest possible viewing point.

Windows can cause reflection issues. Pointing a camera out the window might degrade its image quality. Many security cameras have infrared (IR) light technology, which aids in motion detection and enables the cameras to function in low light. IR light can reflect off of windows and other glass objects and obscure your footage, especially in the dark. If your footage looks washed out or whited out, there is likely a reflection problem going on. If it’s necessary to point a camera out the window, positioning the lens as close as possible to the glass and/or backlighting the outdoor area (perhaps with motion detector lights) are two glare-minimizing measures to try. It can also be helpful if your camera has wide dynamic range (WDR) technology.

Angle for indirect light. Again, direct light will wash out your footage. With indoor cameras, be mindful of lamps, light fixtures, and bright windows. Avoid facing your camera directly toward any of these light sources.

Note: Follow these best practices in order to avoid post-deployment issues and save you time.

Test your equipment before committing to the full install. Operate the camera and make sure it functions as expected. If possible, perform a dry run in the camera’s intended area (mount it with tape, a single nail, or another temporary fix) so you can monitor and evaluate the feed. Can you see everything you want to see? Is the Wi-Fi signal strong enough? Is there glare or an obstacle blocking the field of view?

Don’t install your camera using hardware or tools that may damage its components. It’s tempting to jerry-rig a camera setting to achieve the perfect position. Don’t take measures that could damage or strain the casing, electrical components, or lens.

Remember you will need to occasionally clean or maintain the camera. Indoor cameras are especially prone to dust and oils accumulation on the lens. Don’t install it in a way that makes it impossible to maintain. General LCD cleaner and microfiber cloths are recommended.

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