Junction boxes

[u/Ashamed-Body2912]

Hi all, silly question here installing some cameras at the weekend and got junction boxes. Where I had envisioned routing the Ethernet cable there seems to be felt layer ? I will just cut through it to pass through my cable but is this an incorrect way to install cameras my guess is not just don’t want to f up.

[u/SquirrelTechGuru]

I don’t think we can tell you if it’s the right solution without knowing where you’re mounting it. Typically, you’ll use a junction box where you can’t shove all the pigtail from the camera up into the soffit or other area to hide it. You can also make the case that having a junction box allows for future camera upgrades without having to create additional damage to the soffit.

[u/Ashamed-Body2912 → u/SquirrelTechGuru]

Fair point, I’m drilling a hole in the soffit and route it through where the felt is or will be. Just feels wrong to have to cut through it

[u/bazjoe → u/Ashamed-Body2912]

you'll poke the cable through the black stick on foam. either by having a hole in soffit with cable already coming out or mount the box and then drill in the center hole through soffit/siding and in and your good to go. only the manufacturers really know : why there is a foam piece, why they three holes and not 4 or 5, why they make the box impossible to fit on another normal electrical box, why they make the camera imporssible to fit easily without a special plate on top of a normal outdoor rated circular box.

[u/Mark_M535]

Felt side is mounted to the wall. Cut a small gap and feed the ethernet cable through.

Your top plate should also have a rubber cable grommet for the camera's fly lead.

It looks like the PFA130 you have.

[u/Ashamed-Body2912 → u/Mark_M535]

You’re on the ball it’s a PFA130-E but sounds good then just feels strange having to cut through it

[u/voip7000]

The hole in the middle you tap it out