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Electrical interference bypassed

NVT and Bosch keep 8,1 hectares secure in a luxury estate without creating an eyesore.

Nestled between Molweni Dam and Ingweni nature trails, Augusta Ridge Grassland Estate offers contemporary country living in a superbly designed modern eco-estate, set within some of South Africa’s most beautiful landscapes. Keeping the estate’s residents secure, and delivering quality images under challenging electrical interference conditions is an NVT-based UTP CCTV Hybrid Video transmission system.

Covering over 8,1 hectares, just 1,7 hectares has been used for the housing development. The estate’s grounds feature rare grasslands, meandering walkways throughout the well-known Ngweni natural trail, and specially created viewing sites for unrivalled observation of natural wetland areas that include rare flora and fauna.

During the specification and building of the estate, an alarmed perimeter fence was erected as a first line of security, keeping residents safe while in their homes and out enjoying the surroundings. This was to be coupled with a network of CCTV cameras to provide instant visual verification of any incident.

However, the inclusion of the cameras to be sited along the perimeter fence-line presented a number of issues to be solved, as Boun Klijnstra of installer SAinTouch explains: “Augusta Ridge presented some specific issues. Firstly, the fence line would need to be electrified to provide maximum security for residents, and secondly, any visible on-site infrastructure was to be kept to an absolute minimum, so as not to impede on the natural aesthetics of the estate’s surroundings.

“To save any unsightly auxiliary poles being used, we planned to mount camera positions on the fence line itself. This, however, meant that the transmission of the CCTV images from the cameras to the onsite control room in the guard’s gatehouse would be compromised, due to the high-voltage 10 kV electric fence, and the associated electrical interference generated. The electrification presented us with a big challenge to transmit crystal-clear images along the fence line. Fortunately, we knew of the interference rejection capabilities of NVT UTP Hybrid Video transmission products and after technical support from NVT, decided to put their equipment to the test in this somewhat hostile application.”

Bosch FlexiDome cameras were used throughout the site and included on the fence line’s insulated posts, adjacent to individual weatherproof boxes containing NVT NV-208A-M UTP video transceivers. From these boxes, camera images are transmitted along an Aluminium Polymer Laminate Cat5 UTP backbone cable, encased in the ground and following the fence line back to the guardhouse control room, up to 260 metres away from the furthest camera. Here, the images are received via NVT NV-208A-M video transceivers, and controlled via Bosch control and recording equipment.

Monitored 24-hours a day, at the touch of a button, the CCTV cameras provide a virtual sweep of the perimeter fence, furnishing guards with an instant overview of any perimeter activity. This gives instant verification of any incident, in particular affording the guards direct information on tripped fence alarms and allowing them to react accordingly.

Klijnstra continues: “Using NVT UTP Hybrid Video transmission technology not only provided the installation with the best quality images but meant we did not have to compromise on camera positioning or scene coverage either. Mounting the cameras on the fence line gave the ultimate scene coverage. NVT UTP transmission provides clear, interference-free images and thanks to NVT’s built-in surge and lightning protection even the large electrical storms we frequently experience fail to affect the system’s operation.

“Using NVT UTP transmission at the Augusta Ridge Grassland Estate has helped us to adhere to the principles of the ecologically-themed site. It has not only afforded a simple installation with minimal security infrastructure, but also provides the highest quality realtime video and system reliability under adverse field conditions. Our NVT-UTP based CCTV solution helps residents to feel secure in their homes, leaving them free to enjoy their nature-filled surroundings.”

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