About & calculator methodology
CamPlan Check is an independent beta built by Dennis Meeks to help installers check the numbers in low-voltage quotes. It uses the specifications and assumptions you enter. It is not a manufacturer compatibility database.
Video recording
Average video bitrate in Mbps × 0.0108 × retention days × recording hours / 24 gives decimal terabytes before headroom. Maximum camera power is added across camera groups. Recorder channels, incoming bitrate, switch ports, per-port wattage and uplink capacity are compared with entered limits.
Cabling & power
The Ethernet worksheet checks 90 meter fixed-link and 100 meter complete-channel planning limits. The DC worksheet calculates current × round-trip conductor resistance, using nominal copper resistance at 20°C. Actual cable, termination and temperature characteristics must be checked.
Battery & voice
Battery worksheets add standby amp-hours and full alarm amp-hours, then multiply by the user-selected factor. No code edition or jurisdiction is automatically selected. The phone worksheet checks total ports and watts and multiplies concurrent calls by a user-selected bandwidth allowance in each direction.
Public technical references
- Seagate video storage calculator
- Fluke Networks on cable testing and link lengths
- Cisco voice bandwidth and quality planning
- NFPA 72 reference
Help improve the tools
If you find a missed check or a wrong assumption, send Dennis feedback. Include the issue and public equipment documentation; omit customer or confidential project information.