A drip loop is a small loop or bend in a cable or wire that allows water or other liquids to drain off rather than running down the wire and potentially causing damage to the equipment or devices connected to it. Drip loops are commonly used in the installation of cameras, antennas, and NEMA enclosures to prevent water from accumulating on the cables or wires and potentially causing damage.
Here are some examples of how drip loops can be used in the installation of cameras, antennas, and NEMA enclosures:
- Cameras: When installing a camera outdoors, it’s important to use a drip loop to prevent water from accumulating on the camera’s power and video cables. To create a drip loop, you can simply bend the cables down at a 90-degree angle near the camera and then back up to the power source. This will allow any water that runs down the cables to drip off rather than entering the camera or power source.
- Antennas: Drip loops are also important when installing antennas, especially when the antenna is mounted on a rooftop or other location where it may be exposed to rain or other forms of precipitation. To create a drip loop, you can bend the antenna’s coaxial cable down at a 90-degree angle near the antenna and then back up to the receiver or other equipment. This will allow any water that runs down the cable to drip off rather than entering the antenna or equipment.
- NEMA enclosures: When installing a NEMA enclosure outdoors, it’s important to use drip loops to prevent water from entering the enclosure and damaging the electrical components inside. To create a drip loop, you can bend the power and control cables down at a 90-degree angle near the bottom of the enclosure and then back up to the power source or control panel. This will allow any water that runs down the cables to drip off rather than entering the enclosure.
In summary, drip loops are an important element of outdoor installations of cameras, antennas, and NEMA enclosures. They help prevent water from accumulating on the cables or wires and causing damage to the equipment or devices connected to them.