Installing cameras using SWA cable

[Joenicholson1996]

Would it be possible to use a multi core SWA cable to run both a 230v supply to a certain area and also run several camera signal cables (both the visual and the earth/neutral) down the same SWA cable, or would having an AC current running down the SWA cause any interference to the cameras signal due to the armourings.
I ask this as it would save time in the future instead of running individual coax cables for each camera.
Cheers

 

[Octopus]

Probably better to buy a system where the power supply for the cameras is central ......

 

[SparkyChick]

I've got to ask why would you want to do this?

Most of the cameras I've seen use a low voltage supply. If you want to protect the cables, put them in conduit (you can get small conduit designed for security work) and keep them reasonably high up.

Or use IP cameras (Power over Ethernet) and use armoured Cat5E.

 

[davesparks]

I guess it’s possible if you have a custom cable manufactured with multiple co-ax’s and power conductors in it, but that would be rather expensive.

We use hybrid flexible cable with LNE for power and a shielded twisted pair for signal in PA systems, but I’ve never seen any co-ax and/or SWA version

 

[Squid]

So you want to run something like an 8 core SWA, I think a 10mm core for a CCTV camera will be a tadmucho on the overkill, just run a decent CAT cable for the cameras and use IP/POE stuff as it will work out cheaper.

What is the night of the run?

 

[MJPD29]

Better off using a cable with a shielded video core to prevent interference

 

[w0z]

It's a very bad idea for many reasons, most of which have already been mentioned plus the increased risk of even a small accident/short/miswire/damp etc blowing up your camera. Use separate cables/enclosures and separate conduit (with a pull so you can add extra cables if required).
You'll need 'baluns' (google it) to convert coax to cat5 (5e or 6) if your cameras are coax out, and although you can in theory run more than one camera at a time down one cat5 (you could run 4 cams on one cable if you used a pair of wires for each and didn't need the cables for anything else) but I wouldn't, it's probably more robust to run one cable for each camera.
You don't state the length, it matters if it's very long (over 200m)

 

[Squid]

Baluns, thats a blast from the past......

 

[w0z]

Baluns, thats a blast from the past......

...aren't they those things you blow up for parties?

 

[Squid]

...aren't they those things you blow up for parties?

Navar nue u woz dislectrix.

 

[Adam W]

I agree with everyone else - best to use an off the peg solution which someone else has already designed, tried, tested, produced and guaranteed, than coming up with something ingenious.