When an outdoor security camera flickers only during windy or rainy weather, the camera may not be the real problem. A customer called BCS after seeing that behavior, and reported that a PoE switch had failed following a period of heavy rain.
What we found
The camera cabling was not suitable for the exposure it faced: the cable was not outdoor rated or protected inside exterior raceway. Two camera runs had also been extended with couplers when the cameras were moved farther away. The connections at those couplers were poorly protected from weather.
Those exposed connections were a plausible path for moisture-related trouble. We cannot attribute the switch failure to one connector from this observation alone, but the cabling and couplers needed correction.
How BCS addressed the cabling
We replaced the coupled camera cables with continuous runs and installed exterior Wiremold to protect and organize the route along the house. The customer also liked how much cleaner the protected path looked than the previous exposed runs.
What property owners can learn from this repair
- Intermittent video during rain may point to a cable, connector, power, or PoE problem—not necessarily a failed camera.
- Outdoor cable routes need suitable materials and protection for their location.
- An added coupler creates another connection that must be protected from moisture.
- A continuous cable run can remove a vulnerable connection when the route allows it.
If your cameras lose video in bad weather, BCS can inspect the complete path from camera to recorder and network switch. Learn about our security camera cabling services and camera installation and repair in Austin.
Serving Austin, TX and surrounding cities. Call 512-257-1433 to discuss your camera problem.