How to run wires through Soffit | Easy 5 Steps

Run wires through soffit for a security camera is easy, not hard if you follow the right steps and use the suitable tools, Here are the method and steps

You will have to deal with numerous challenging situations, at the time installing a security camera at home.

Like how to choose the best surveillance system for your home, is the system wired or wireless? Indoor or outdoor? How to install cameras and a lot of challenges.

For a wired system, One such challenge that you will have to overcome would be understanding how to run wires through Soffit whatever power cables or Date wires.

This is something that you can do on your own, without getting the help of an expert. But you need some equipment to get your job done in a short time.

Keep on reading, and we will share the steps on how to get the job done. This will assist you to complete the CCTV camera installation process without going through any challenges.

Let’s See

How To Run Wires Through Soffit

Running wires through the soffit is one of the security system installation processes, it’s important and any mistakes in this process can damage the whole system.

Step1: Select the Right Location For Mounting Your Camera

Before you deal with the camera and run wires through Soffit, you will need to properly mount the CCTV camera. You should locate the best place to mount the camera based on your needs.

Make sure when you choose the camera place that the camera is directed to the right area, a lot of people make a mistake by installing and setup the cam behind a huge tree or wall that totally blocks the camera lens.

In addition, try to locate the cam at a suitable height away from people, so no one can damage it or cut the wires. Then you will be able to connect the wires to it.

Note: you should ensure that there is a power outlet near the place that you select to mount the camera in the case of wired cameras, For wireless surveillance systems or Digital PoE that use Ethernet cables like cat5 or cat6 you don’t need power outlets.

Step2: Run wires through soffit

To run wires through soffit correctly, You should pick appropriate tools based on the material used for the construction of the Soffit.

In most instances, it would be vinyl. You will need to remove the vinyl in the place, where you are planning to mount the camera. 

Then you can measure the size of the base so that you can cut an appropriate piece of wood to mount. You will be using the piece of wood to properly mount your cam through the attic.

You can use a drill and create a hole in the wood, one for camera feed wires and the other hole for cam screws to fix it.

Note: for feed, the hole makes sure it’s wide enough to allow passing wires through it easily.

Step3: Connect the cameras to the DVR

After running wires through the soffit, The next step is to connect the cameras to the DVR to complete the connection of the system.

You need to be using the right type of wires to get the job done. On top of that, you need to make sure that you are using wires of appropriate length and good material.

There are 2 types of security camera wires depending on system type, Coaxial cable for Analog CCTV systems, and Ethernet cable for Digital Network IP cameras.

In case you don’t have any other option than running wires out of the Soffit, you must think about hiding security cameras wire. You can protect and hide it in walls by using PVC, or metal conduits, or in the ground by burying them.

Step4: Install the cameras

Once you are done with the wiring, you will be able to use electric tape and secure it. This will help you to check that the camera will not be unplugged by someone accidentally.

Then you should drill and mount the camera to the wooden base that you have. You will be able to adjust the viewing angle of the cameras according to your needs as well.

Step5: Connect the camera to the video recorder

As the last step, you can connect the CCTV camera to the central hub in which the video recorder is installed. You will need to connect the power cables as well.

You can now launch a Digital video recorder and configure settings so that you can start recording the footage captured by the camera.

Note: try to make the system device’s both cameras and video recorders near as much as you can, it will help you in the future, and save a lot of money for buying more wires.

Read Also: How to Run Security Camera Wires Underground

Tools used in Run Wires Through Soffit

There are a lot of tools you can use depending on the installation steps and wires route you choose, But the most common tools are

• Drill
• Installation Template
• Electric Tape
• Pencil
• Fish tape

Final words

You will be able to use this as a comprehensive guide on understanding how to run wires of security cameras through Soffit. If you have the right tools, you will be able to complete this process on your own.

This is one of the most popular methods among homeowners in mountain their security cameras as well.

This method of mounting a CCTV camera is safe and it will make sure that the good looks of your home will not be taken away because of the installation process.

To avoid wired security system cabling problems, you can purchase an NVR with wireless or Wire-free cameras like Blink, Reolink dome cameras.

These cameras can be installed on the ceiling, walls, or any place to monitor the front door, or garage with High-resolution videos. Doesn’t use wires it needs a router and wi-fi signal to work.

Resource: torontoeavestrough