Cctv companies training?

shocksl · Dec 22, 2022

Hi guys

Iam currently studying for my level 1 electric installation . Which btw I am loving.

I've always been decent with DIY. But also I have spent many years working / using computers, which is different i know. I understand software and hardware installation etc when it comes to PCs laptops etc.

I am really interested In installing CCTV cameras. Is there formal qualifications I need to do?

Is there any companies that provide training to sell their CCTV for domestic use etc?

MJPD29 · Dec 22, 2022

Considering the vast majority of cctv now is poe or 12/24v I don't think you need any formal qualifications to install it. The only obstacles you may encounter is when you need to install any 230v circuits, but usually I find cctv installers avoid it be throwing in lot of extension leads.

shocksl · Dec 22, 2022

MJPD29 said:
Considering the vast majority of cctv now is poe or 12/24v I don't think you need any formal qualifications to install it. The only obstacles you may encounter is when you need to install any 230v circuits, but usually I find cctv installers avoid it be throwing in lot of extension leads.

Oh thanks mate.

I want to try and install a basic det in my house to start of with maybe 2 cams .

Can you recommend any brand ? Or any YouTube link I can watch to get familiar with doing it?

MJPD29 · Dec 22, 2022

When I was installing cctv we generally used hikvision. User friendly, good quality and not horrific price. Avoid amateur brands like swann and other screwfix kits, poor quality diy stuff.

Miguel Esteban-Perez · Jun 15, 2025

MJPD29 said:
When I was installing cctv we generally used hikvision. User friendly, good quality and not horrific price. Avoid amateur brands like swann and other screwfix kits, poor quality diy stuff.

Hikvision has an average quality and they have an efficient backup service for installers and subcontractors.(at least here in Spain)

R-fur · Jun 15, 2025

I did a course with system Q in Chesterfield and it was very good. They try and tie you into their brand but as their stuff is good that was not a problem. You have to pay for the course but you get a lot of stuff back and good discounts so the net cost is low.

Phil L · Jul 4, 2025

Check out Tavcom training very good course

Simon47 · Jul 7, 2025

As MJPD29 says, there's a lot of PoE stuff these days. That's trivial to install as long as you can do ethernet cabling properly. The main thing is to watch the power budget. Some years ago now, a client of my employer had an IP camera that crashed every day when it got dark - it had an IR illuminator, but that took it over the PoE (just the standard 14.4W capacity back them) limit and it turned off. When daylight returned, it could turn on and work normally again. So if using the IR it needed a local power supply.
Now there are higher power PoE options, but you need to keep an eye on the total power you draw from one switch.

With the very little bit of CCTV I've done, the hardest part for me was understanding lenses - focal length v.s. field of view and so on.

But Hikvision ? I wouldn't use them without isolating them to their own network and without internet access - but I'd apply that to any make, and to IoT stuff in general ! Try finding stuff that isn't made in China ...