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What Sort of Maintenance Do CCTV Systems Require?

December 10th, 2021

Last updated: March 20th, 2024

Your security system’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) is essential. Protecting your commercial building or facility is well worth the cost as it serves to prevent burglars and improve employee safety.

So how frequently should you do CCTV preventative maintenance? CCTV maintenance, as the name suggests, entails checking the surveillance equipment’s capabilities on a regular basis to minimise the risk of failure or malfunction.

By performing routine maintenance, you can rest completely sure that your system is operating at peak efficiency, and that the footage collected and saved are suitable for their intended use and of high quality. In order to maintain constant monitoring and deter break-ins, theft, and other crimes, CCTV maintenance is critical.

Why is CCTV Maintenance Important?

Keeping an eye on your security system on a regular basis can help keep the cameras working properly. Prevention is always better than cure. Maintaining your CCTV camera system is critical to avoiding a premature breakdown, which may leave your construction site insecure and result in large replacement costs. It also means that you might struggle to provide the necessary evidence if you need to press charges against somebody or prove their liability.

Making an insurance claim after a property has been damaged or destroyed is easier to prove when planned preventative maintenance work was done. If you’ve been on top of your CCTV maintenance, they’ll be more likely to pay your losses.

How to Perform CCTV Maintenance

Ensure that your surveillance system is functioning by following the procedures on this CCTV maintenance checklist to secure and maintain it properly:

Camera Lens

The most important thing to look for and avoid while using a camera lens is obstructions that might obscure the camera’s vision.

  • See whether there are any obstructions to the lens’ field of vision and make adjustments if needed.
  • Prevent dust from accumulating on the camera lens to ensure that the gadget operates at its optimal level.
  • Verify that the camera lens is focused and that all of the camera’s features are operating before using the camera (i.e. pan, tilt and zoom).
  • Remove any dust or debris from the camera lens to avoid obstructing your view in the future.
  • Verify that the cameras are firmly connected to the beam or the wall.
  • Test any motion detection on your CCTV system to make sure it’s functioning properly.

Wiring

Perform a visual check for evidence of degradation or corrosion on all key components of your CCTV, such as connectors and cabling to ensure electrical safety.

  • Look for any visible or frayed wires and cables, as well as general wear and tear, such as loose wires.
  • Ensure that the photos are being transmitted clearly and without distortion by checking the image quality.
  • Verify that the device’s power supply is functioning properly before using it.

If a camera goes down on your system, the wiring is often the first thing you should check to see if all is functioning correctly.

Monitors and Recording Equipment

Inspect the control equipment to make sure that all of the CCTV components are working properly, such as the monitors, switches, VCR, DVR, and Multiplexer.

  • The brightness and contrast settings on the displays should be checked to provide a clear image.
  • All of your switches and equipment should be checked to ensure they’re operating correctly.
  • Use a microfiber cloth and a mild cleaning solution to remove dust and dirt from all monitors and devices.
  • If the cable leading from the device is damaged, replace it immediately.
  • Ensure that the time and date stamps are set correctly.

A lot of people will install a CCTV system, but not stick to any CCTV maintenance procedure, which means that the camera might be functioning for weeks or months with the incorrect settings, or not giving a clear image, and you may not even know about it. Even if you don’t need the footage for anything specific, make a point of checking it regularly.

How Often Should CCTV Systems Be Checked?

How often you should have preventative maintenance done depends on the system’s quality and age.  CCTV maintenance checkup every three months on an older system is typically recommended just to be safe. A new, well-maintained system, however, may be checked at least once a year.

A professional CCTV maintenance provider can do more thorough inspections on your systems than you can, and they’ll be able to identify and fix any growing problems early on, extending the lifespan of your system.

As already mentioned, regularly checking the system yourself can make a big difference. It means if there is any obvious problem then you can seek help instantly to get your system working once again.

Summary

CCTV is a critical safety net that should not be overlooked. Properties are more vulnerable to burglary and theft if security measures aren’t put in place. A CCTV surveillance system is only as good as the maintenance and care it receives, so CCTV system maintenance to check cameras on a regular basis can save you a lot of worry and money in the long run.

Yorkshire businesses can take advantage of our CCTV installation, maintenance, repair and other services. When you want the services of a professional crew, you can count on us to arrive swiftly and efficiently at your location. Reach out to us today in any of our Yorkshire offices, we cover North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and South Yorkshire and offer a fast, efficient response time to all breakdowns and repairs.

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