Prewire & Trimouts

Security camera installation happens in two distinct phases: Prewire and Trim-Out. • Prewire is the "rough-in" phase that occurs during construction or renovation before the drywall is installed. Low-voltage technicians run high-grade cables (like Cat6 or Coaxial) from a central hub to strategic camera locations while the wall studs are still exposed. • Trim-Out is the final phase after walls are painted and finished. This involves installing the actual cameras, terminating the cable ends with connectors (like RJ45), mounting the hardware, and configuring the NVR (Network Video Recorder) for remote viewing.

Prewiring during the framing stage is the most cost-effective way to future-proof a property. • Aesthetics: It allows for a "clean" look with no visible wires on the interior or exterior of the building. • Reliability: Hardwired connections (PoE) are significantly more stable than Wi-Fi cameras, which are prone to signal interference and hacking. • Cost Savings: It is roughly 30-50% cheaper to run wires when walls are open than to "retro-fit" or fish wires through finished drywall and insulation later.

For maximum coverage, we recommend prewiring for cameras at these high-priority locations: • Exterior Corners: To provide a 270-degree "wraparound" view of the property perimeter. • Entry Points: All main doors (front, back, and garage) to capture clear facial identification. • Driveways & Gates: High-angle mounts to capture license plates and vehicle movement. • Utility/Server Rooms: The "head-end" location where all cables terminate into your NVR or rack system. • Interior Choke Points: Main hallways or stairwells that an intruder would have to pass through.

Cat6 Ethernet cable is the industry standard for security camera prewiring. Cat6 supports Power over Ethernet (PoE), meaning a single cable provides both high-speed data and power to the camera. While Coaxial cable is still used for older analog systems, Cat6 offers superior bandwidth for 4K and 8K ultra-HD resolutions and allows for easier integration with modern smart home and business automation systems.