Thx for the discussion. I've decided to dramatically reduce the wire run from 1200' to 250' - 300'. I neglected the voltage drops and potential issues caused by lightning which were brought to light by several people on this thread (thanks). At 250', the voltage drop on a 120vac 12/2 line is more than 2.5%, assuming the camera's the only device on the circuit. I estimated that it would draw no more that 4A...is this correct?
Kevin_Essiambre I hadn't given any thought to using the circuit for anything else however, the wife's previously suggested Xmas lights down the driveway.
So assuming I power the camera w/120vac, I've seen suggestions for running fiber for video/ data connection. I've not tackled anything like that before. Can I buy premade (250' - 300') fiber w/the ends? If so, I'll assume that I have to put it in conduit? What cameras take a fiber input? Any suggestions?
The camera should only draw several watts. A media converter (such as fiber to copper) will also only draw several watts. It should only be 2-3 amps max for the camera and converter.
As for running power 300', I'd definitely size if for a 15 amp load (you may never actually load it to 15 amps, but its possible... especially with such a long road in, think of all the Christmas lights you can put up!).
15 amps at 120 volts for a 300 foot run is only 3.78% voltage drop with 12/2 copper.... which isn't too bad. IIRC the NEC doesn't actually have voltage drop requirements so 3.78% will be fine (I'm in Canada and have strict rules on voltage drop). If it were job, I'd use 10 gauge copper.
Fs.com sells premade and custom made fiber cables. With or without pulling head on them. Heck, because it's fiber, as long as it's the non-conductive type (no metal in/on jacket) you
could pull it in the same conduit as the power, but I'd recommend a second conduit just for the fiber to prevent damage to it.
Rather that trying to source a camera with a fiber port, I'd get either a fiber to copper converter, or a small network switch with an SFP port and get a matching fiber transceiver. I'd go for a network switch if you want more than 1 camera there. At the house end, either a fiber transceiver if you have an existing network infrastructure that has an SFP port, or just use a fiber to copper converter and use a copper patch cord.
FS.com is where I purchase most of my fiber gear, they have very reasonable prices. One of these days I'll have a core alignment fusion splicer so I can avoid bringing in a 3rd party to terminate cables for me.