8  Installation

The FLIR A3xx pt series camera is a multi-sensor camera system on a pan/tilt platform. Combinations of an infrared thermal imaging camera and a visible-light video camera are intended for outdoor installations.

The FLIR A3xx pt series camera is intended to be mounted on a medium-duty fixed pedestal mount or wall mount commonly used in the CCTV industry. Cables will exit from the back of the camera housing. The mount must support up to 45 lb. (20 kg)‎.

The FLIR A3xx pt series camera is both an analog and an IP camera. The video from the camera can be viewed over a traditional analog video network or it can be viewed by streaming it over an IP network using MPEG-4,‎ M-JPEG,‎ and H.264 encoding. Analog video will require a connection to a video monitor or an analog matrix/switch. The IP video will require a connection to an Ethernet network switch,‎ and a computer with the appropriate software for viewing the video stream.

The camera can be controlled through either serial or IP communication.

The camera operates on 24 VAC (21–30 VAC; 24 VAC: 215 VA max. with heater)‎ or 24 VDC (21–30 VDC; 24 VDC: 195 W max. with heater)‎.

In order to access the electrical connections and install the cables,‎ it is necessary to temporarily remove the back cover of the camera housing.

In addition to the items included in the cardboard box,‎ the installer will need to supply the following items:

The camera will require connections for power,‎ communications (IP Ethernet and/or RS-232/RS-422)‎,‎ and video (two video connections may be required for analog video installations)‎.

FLIR A3xx pt series cameras must be mounted upright on top of the mounting surface,‎ with the base below the camera. The unit should not be hung upside down.

The FLIR A3xx pt series camera can be secured to the mount with four 5/16″ or M8 bolts,‎ as shown below.

Once the mounting location has been selected,‎ verify that both sides of the mounting surface are accessible.

Connect and operate the camera as a bench test at ground level prior to mounting the camera in its final location.

Use a thread-locking compound such as Loctite 242 or an equivalent with all metal-to-metal threaded connections.

Using the template supplied with the camera as a guide,‎ mark the location of the holes for mounting the camera. If the template is printed,‎ ensure that it is printed to scale so that the dimensions are correct.

Once the holes are drilled in the mounting surface,‎ install four (4)‎ 5/16″ or M8 bolts through the base of the camera.

When selecting a mounting location for the FLIR A3xx pt series camera,‎ consider cable lengths and cable routing. Ensure that the cables are long enough given the proposed mounting locations and cable routing requirements.

Use cables that have sufficient dimensions to ensure safety (for power cables)‎ and adequate signal strength (for video and communications)‎.

The FLIR A3xx pt series camera comes with two ¾″ NPT cable glands,‎ each with a three-hole gland seal insert. Cables can be between 0.23″ and 0.29″ OD. Up to six cables may be installed. Plugs are required for the insert hole(s)‎ not being used.

If non-standard cable diameters are used,‎ you may need to locate or fabricate the appropriate insert to fit the desired cable. FLIR Systems does not provide cable gland inserts other than what is supplied with the system.

Insert the cables through the cable glands on the enclosure before terminating and connecting them. (In general,‎ the terminated connectors will not fit through the cable gland.)‎ If a terminated cable is required,‎ make a single clean cut in the gland seal to install the cable into the gland seal.

Proper installation of cable sealing glands and use of appropriate elastomer inserts is critical to long-term reliability. Cables enter the camera mount enclosure through liquid-tight compression glands. Be sure to insert the cables through the cable glands on the enclosure before terminating and connecting them (the connectors will not fit through the cable gland)‎. Leave the gland nuts loosened until all cable installation has been completed. Inspect and install gland fittings in the back cover with suitable leak sealant,‎ and tighten to ensure water-tight fittings. PTFE tape or pipe sealant (e.g.,‎ DuPont RectorSeal T)‎ is suitable for this purpose.

Use a cross-head screwdriver to loosen the four captive screws and remove the cover,‎ exposing the connections at the back of the camera. There is a grounding wire connected between the case and the back cover.

Power requirements:

24 VAC (21–30 VAC; 24 VAC: 215 VA max. with heater)‎ or 24 VDC (21–30 VDC; 24 VDC: 195 W max. with heater)‎.

The camera itself does not have an on/off switch. Generally,‎ the FLIR A3xx pt series camera will be connected to a circuit breaker,‎ and the circuit breaker will be used to connect or interrupt the power supply to the camera. If power is supplied to it,‎ the camera will be in one of two modes: Booting Up or Powered On.

The power cable supplied by the installer must use wires that are of a sufficient gauge size (16 AWG is recommended)‎ for the supply voltage and length of the cable run,‎ to ensure adequate current-carrying capacity. Always follow local building codes.

Ensure the camera is properly grounded. Typical to good grounding practices,‎ the camera chassis ground should be provided using the lowest resistance path possible. FLIR Systems requires using a grounding strap anchored to the grounding lug on the back plate of the camera housing and connected to the nearest earth-grounding point.

The analog video connections on the back of the camera are BNC connectors.

The video cable used should be rated as RG59U or better to ensure a quality video signal.

The cable gland seal is designed for use with shielded Category 6 Ethernet cable.

The installer must first decide if the serial communications settings will be configured via hardware (DIP switch settings)‎ or software. If the camera has an Ethernet connection,‎ then generally it will be easier (and more convenient in the long run)‎ to make configuration settings via software. Then,‎ configuration changes can be made over the network without physically accessing the camera. Also,‎ the settings can be saved to a file,‎ and backed up or restored as needed.

If the camera is configured via hardware,‎ then configuration changes in the future may require accessing the camera on a tower or pole,‎ dismounting it,‎ removing the back,‎ and so on. If the camera does not have an Ethernet connection,‎ the DIP switches must be used to set the serial communication options.

For serial communications,‎ it is necessary to set the parameters such as the signalling standard (RS-232 or RS-422)‎,‎ baud rate,‎ number of stop bits,‎ parity,‎ and so on. It is also necessary to select the communication protocol used (either Pelco D or Bosch)‎ and the camera address.

The camera supports RS-422 and RS-232 serial communications using common protocols (Pelco D,‎ Bosch)‎.

The figure below shows the locations of dip switches SW102 and SW103.

Pelco Address: This is the address of the system when configured as a Pelco device. The available range of values is from decimal 0 to 255.

Other serial communication parameters: The tables below defines the switch locations,‎ bit numbering,‎ and on/off settings.