What Is a Small-Scale Security Project
A small-scale security project typically refers to a video surveillance system covering 10–30 camera channels, serving a single building, partial campus area, or small-to-medium commercial space. Positioned between residential-grade and large-scale networked systems, the core requirements for equipment selection are: simple architecture, convenient maintenance, and sufficient expansion预留.
1. Network Camera (IPC) Selection Checklist
1.1 Configuration by Scene Type
| No. | Installation Location / Scene | Recommended Form Factor | Quantity | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☐ | Indoor main entrance | Dome network camera (indoor ceiling-mounted) | ____ units | Recommended resolution ≥ 4 MP |
| ☐ | Indoor corridor / passageway | Dome or bullet camera (indoor type) | ____ units | 4mm lens for ~8–15m viewing distance |
| ☐ | Indoor lobby / reception area | Indoor speed dome or wide-angle dome | ____ units | Prioritize coverage area |
| ☐ | Outdoor perimeter / fence | Bullet camera (outdoor waterproof, IP67) | ____ units | Recommended IR illumination ≥ 30m |
| ☐ | Outdoor main entrance | Bullet camera or mini pan-tilt (outdoor type) | ____ units | WDR ≥ 120dB |
| ☐ | Parking lot / outdoor plaza | Bullet camera or speed dome (outdoor type) | ____ units | Consider low-light performance |
| ☐ | Elevator car | Elevator-specific camera (anti-interference) | ____ units | Lay along elevator cables |
| ☐ | Other special areas | Select as needed (explosion-proof/temperature-controlled, etc.) | ____ units | Specify protection requirements |
1.2 Key Camera Parameter Calculations
- Resolution: Recommended main stream at 2560×1440 (4 MP) or above to ensure identifiable details for faces and license plates
- Focal Length Selection: Refer to viewing distance–focal length guide (subject to actual project) — 4mm covers approximately 8–10m; 6mm covers approximately 12–15m; 8mm covers approximately 15–20m
- Storage Bitrate: Under H.265 encoding, 4 MP at 4 Mbps / 8 MP at 6 Mbps (subject to actual device specifications)
- PoE Power Supply: Verify that switch port power meets requirements (802.3af max 15.4W per port, 802.3at max 30W per port)
2. NVR Recorder Selection Checklist
2.1 NVR Equipment List
| No. | Equipment Name | Key Specifications | Quantity | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☐ | NVR network recorder | Channel count ≥ total cameras, reserve 20% margin | ____ units | Example: 30-channel project selects 32-channel NVR |
| ☐ | Surveillance hard disk (enterprise-grade) | Capacity calculated by "channels × bitrate × retention days" | ____ units | Recommended enterprise NAS drives, MTBF ≥ 1,000,000 hours |
| ☐ | Monitor (optional) | 1080P or above, HDMI/VGA output | ____ units | For local playback and maintenance |
2.2 Hard Disk Capacity Calculation Method
CODE0
Using H.265 encoding, 4 MP camera, 4 Mbps bitrate as an example, single-channel daily storage is approximately 41 GB (subject to actual device parameters). Total capacity requirement:
CODE1
Example: 20 channels, 30-day retention, H.265 4 Mbps bitrate, total capacity approximately 27 TB (subject to actual specifications).
3. Network Switch Selection Checklist
3.1 Switch Configuration List
| No. | Equipment Name | Key Specifications | Quantity | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☐ | Access switch (PoE) | Port count ≥ cameras + uplink ports, reserve 2–4 ports margin | ____ units | Recommended full gigabit, PoE+ (802.3at) optional |
| ☐ | Core/aggregation switch (if needed) | Ports to accommodate multiple access switch uplinks, bandwidth ≥ gigabit | ____ units | Consider when exceeding 24 channels or spanning floors |
| ☐ | Fiber media converter (optional) | Single-mode/multi-mode selected by cabling distance | ____ pairs | Used when exceeding 90m Ethernet distance limit |
| ☐ | Ethernet cable (structured cabling) | Cat5e or Cat6; outdoor use armored or conduit | ____ meters | Based on actual survey, add 10% margin |
3.2 PoE Power Calculation
CODE2
Typical single-channel IPC power consumption is approximately 6–12 W (subject to device parameters); switch PoE budget must meet total power demand with margin reserved.
4. Auxiliary Materials and Cabling List
| No. | Auxiliary Material | Key Specifications | Quantity | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☐ | Power adapter (for independent camera power supply) | DC12V / 2A or per device parameters | ____ units | Backup for non-PoE scenarios |
| ☐ | PVC conduit / cable tray | Size selected by cable quantity | ____ meters | Indoor surface-mounted scenarios |
| ☐ | Outdoor waterproof enclosure (equipment box) | IP65 rating, with heat dissipation/lightning protection | ____ units | For centralized outdoor switch/power deployment |
| ☐ | Surge protector (optional) | Network lightning protection, 10/700μs, ≤ 1.5kV | ____ units | At outdoor camera cable entry point |
| ☐ | Server rack / wall-mount cabinet | Size by equipment count, reserve rack unit margin | ____ units | For installing NVR, switches, etc. |
| ☐ | Fiber patch cord (optional) | SC/LC connectors, single-mode/multi-mode | ____ units | For optical link connections |
| ☐ | RJ45 connectors / interface accessories | Cat6 plugs, cable labels, etc. | ____ sets | Match Ethernet cable quantities |
5. System Architecture Comparison
| Dimension | Option A: Full PoE Direct Connection | Option B: PoE + Independent Switch | Option C: Fiber Uplink (Long Distance) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicable scale | ≤ 16 channels, single rack | 16–30 channels, multi-floor | Cabling exceeding 100m or dispersed campus deployment |
| Cabling complexity | Low (single cable run) | Medium (access switch aggregation) | High (requires fiber fusion splicing) |
| Switch selection | Single PoE switch | Access + aggregation two-tier | Access + fiber aggregation |
| Cost characteristic | Low (fewer devices) | Medium (switch cost) | High (fiber/optical module cost) |
| Reference brand examples | Hikvision PoE series / Dahua economy series | Hikvision commercial switch series / Dahua access switch | Select industrial-grade fiber devices per project requirements |
6. Quantity Calculation and Margin Principles
6.1 Core Margin Rules
- Cameras → NVR channels: NVR specification ≥ total cameras, reserve 20% expansion margin (example: 20-channel project selects 32-channel NVR)
- Cameras → Switch ports: Port count ≥ camera count + uplink ports + 2–4 spare ports
- PoE power: Switch PoE total power budget ≥ actual demand × 1.2
- Storage capacity: Calculate by "channels × bitrate × days" then multiply by 1.1 margin factor
- Cable length: Actual survey length × 1.1 for reserve
6.2 Equipment Quantity Summary
| Equipment Category | Quantity | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Network camera (IPC) | ____ units | Summary from scene details |
| NVR recorder | ____ units | Channels ≥ total cameras |
| Surveillance hard disk | ____ units | Per capacity calculation results |
| Access switch (PoE) | ____ units | Ports ≥ camera count + margin |
| Core/aggregation switch (if needed) | ____ units | Per architecture requirements |
| Auxiliary materials and cabling | — | Per actual survey |
FAQ
Q1: Can residential-grade cameras replace professional equipment for projects with fewer than 10 channels?
Not recommended. Residential cameras differ from commercial-grade equipment in stability, storage security, remote management, and PoE power supply. For commercial facilities with mid-to-long-term operations, commercial network cameras + NVR architecture is advised, offering better device lifecycle and maintenance controllability.
Q2: How to select NVR hard disk bay count?
Bay count depends on storage capacity requirements and reliability needs. Basic scenarios can use 4-bay NVRs; when RAID protection or storage exceeding 16 bays is required, 8-bay or higher models are recommended, or consider professional storage server solutions.
Q3: What is the difference between PoE switches and regular switches?
PoE switches transmit data and power to IP cameras, APs, and other devices via Ethernet cable, reducing separate power cabling. When selecting, confirm that per-port power (af/at/bt standards) and total power budget meet device requirements.
Q4: How to determine outdoor camera ingress protection ratings?
IP67 indicates complete dust protection and short-term immersion protection, suitable for general outdoor environments. For coastal or industrial areas with corrosive conditions, corrosion-resistant or higher-rated devices are recommended; consult device datasheets for specifics.
Q5: Since prices are not filled in the equipment list, how can I quickly obtain budget references?
Equipment pricing varies with channel, exchange rate, and project scale. It is recommended to directly contact equipment suppliers or integrators for real-time quotations based on the list. This site provides customized solution planning and equipment selection references as a preliminary basis for quotation requests.