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Cases of Communication Failure in Security Cameras and IT Equipment (Solar Power Plants)

2024年2月7日 00:28

When cameras or remote monitoring devices go "offline" and lose communication, it is often due to interference between AC adapters or communication devices.
Power OFF/ON,orunplugging and replugging the LAN cablemay resolve the issue, but visiting the site every time is troublesome.
It is a good strategy to seek advice from someone knowledgeable at the site,but if you want to resolve it yourself, please refer to the following.

Ideal Installation Locations for Communication Equipment

If you have installed routers or PoE hubs behind or right next to transformers, distribution boards, or PCS units that are likely to generate noise, try removing them from the board, extending the AC cord to move them away, and operating the equipment. If it improves, it is likely that noise is having a significant impact.
Cameras are often installed on utility poles, but there have been cases where electromagnetic noise from a distribution board attached to the same pole caused video lag.

Ideal Layout of Communication Equipment

Are they crammed into a narrow box, or are the devices just rolling around in a mess?

After a theft, a security system was installed, and later 3 alarm cameras were added. Since communication may stop after a few years due to dust accumulation or insect intrusion, the owner or management company should house them in a rack. (If you carelessly touch someone else's work, the person who touched it last is often blamed when a malfunction occurs.)

First, isolate the issue on-site

If the alarm camera is powered on, it will detect people or cars and sound a siren. If it sounds, the camera and PoE are normal.
Take a photo of the router's status lamp and compare it with the manual.
Check if all devices have communication issues or if it is only some of them.

Troubleshooting

Try changing the orientation or position

■ Is the AC adapter near the router (within 5cm)?
Workaround: Try moving it at least 10cm away.

Changing the orientation, such as the top, bottom, or sides of the PoE hub or router, may resolve the issue. After changing the orientation, check the 4G lamp or LINK lamp.

It is better to move the AC adapter below the outlet or raise the position of the PoE hub.

■ The router and PoE are too close or overlapping.
Workaround: Separate them by at least 3cm.

I stacked the router and PoE to keep it compact, but it frequently fell into a communication failure state.

If only the camera video is intermittent or too slow

Possibility of a faulty LAN cable / Check for disconnections or poor contact with a LAN checker.
Distance from PoE hub to camera is over 100m -> Are you using a PoE hub that supports 200m or more (set to Extend mode)?
Noise may be introduced if outdoor LAN cables are not used.
Compression rate is low because it is set to H264 instead of H265+ -> If you cannot change the setting, use an optical fiber line.

Even commercially available LAN cables can burn

Other

Power outages, carrier construction, or system troubles (if it does not automatically recover within about 6 hours, check the websites of the electric company, Docomo, etc.)
Avoid installing communication equipment behind PCS or distribution boards as much as possible
4G signal is weak; installed inside an iron box, enclosure, or cubicle. -> Move the antenna outside
Router is old (check model/year of manufacture). Incompatibility between router and equipment (in the case of optical lines) -> Try connecting to a different router, or connect directly to the ONU-camera (direct to recorder). Update router firmware/try disabling virus check functions
Not using the genuine AC adapter. -> Check voltage/current values
Temperature at router installation site: Direct sunlight in summer or ambient temperature reaches 50°C or higher, or drops to 20°C or below to sub-zero temperatures in winter -> Temperature countermeasures or replace with an industrial router (wider operating temperature range) *If just placed on the floor, place it on a stand, etc.
The location itself has a weak 4G signal -> Re-check with the service area map
*The use of wireless LAN equipment is not recommended as noise tends to occur within power plants.

Examples of good layout

Ample spacing. Explanatory notes left on sticky notes

SmartLogger is fixed with a DIN rail and looks neat

Even if just placed on the floor, it is somewhat reassuring if it is contained in a box

For troubleshooting, I would like you to at least have a simple LAN checker.

It would be reassuring to have a LAN checker that can also measure PoE