Panasonic Network Camera BL-C140 BL-C160 Installation Guide

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Built-in Sensor (BL-C160 Only)
The camera’s built-in sensor is a pyroelectric infrared sensor, which means it uses infrared rays to 
detect temperature differences within its range that are emitted naturally by people, animals, etc. 
The sensor can be used to trigger the camera to buffer (i.e., temporarily store) camera images in its 
memory. You can view these images later as desired. The sensor can also be used to trigger the 
camera to transfer images to someone or somewhere, by FTP, E-mail, or HTTP.
Sensor’s Active Detection Range
• If there is no temperature difference between objects in range of the camera’s sensor and the 
surrounding environment, such as on a hot summer day, the sensor may not be able to detect 
properly. Conversely in winter when the outside air temperature becomes lower, differences in 
temperatures become greater which makes it easier for the sensor to perform detection.
• If the camera is mounted facing a road, the sensor may detect incorrectly due to interference 
caused by passing cars. Refer to Example 1 or Example 2 on page 15 for examples of how to 
mount the camera so that it will not face roads that cause interference.
When the camera is in a 20 °C (68 °F) environment
Built-in Sensor
     About 5 m (16 feet 5 inches)
About 20q
Detection range lengthDetection range angle
Camera 
						

							12 Detection Range Characteristics of the Built-in Sensor
• The built-in sensor can easily detect temperature changes when objects move sideways in front 
of the camera, but cannot easily detect temperature changes when objects move toward the front 
of the camera.
When the camera is in a 20 °C (68 °F) environment
Easy to detect
Easy to detect
Diffictult to detect
About 63q Detection range
Camera 
						

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Mounting Location
• Mount the camera in a sheltered place where it is not directly 
exposed to direct sunlight or the elements.
• To ensure that camera images are displayed properly, do not 
mount the camera on a ceiling.
• Do not mount the camera upside down. If the Panasonic logo 
is upside down, the camera is upside down.
• Mount the camera where objects pass the camera from the 
sides. The sensor can easily detect temperature differences of 
objects moving sideways within the detection range, but 
cannot easily detect objects moving towards the sensor. For 
more information, see page 12.
• Make sure to position the camera’s light so as not to disturb 
the surrounding area. (BL-C160 only)
Note
Avoid these kinds of locations when mounting the camera.
• Where people approach the camera by walking toward the front of the camera
• Facing roads where many cars pass by 
(Even when separated by more than 5 m [16 feet 5 inches], cars can interfere with the 
performance of the built-in sensor)
• Where car exhaust or warm air from heat-emitting devices cause rapid changes in temperature 
(The sensor may detect incorrectly due to rapid changes in temperature)
• Where objects that move in the wind are located (e.g., tree branches, laundry hung out to dry)
(The sensor may detect incorrectly due to temperature changes)
• Where the camera can be exposed to direct sunlight or halogen light
• Where there is vibration or shock
• Where the camera can be exposed to fire, heating devices, or interference from magnetic devices
• Where reflective objects or objects that can interfere with heat detection, such as glass, are in 
front of the camera
• In a greasy or moist place
• Near devices that emit radio waves, such as mobile phones
• Where the camera can be exposed to strong chemicals or noxious fumes
• Where the camera can be exposed to air containing high levels of salt, ammonia, sulphur etc.
(Exposure to such conditions can reduce the operating life of the camera)
• In places that have shade during the day, bright lighting at night, or where light levels often change
• In places with the following types of backgrounds and background lighting
(Faces can appear dark which makes it difficult to determine facial characteristics)
In places where 
large parts of the 
background are 
open to bright 
lightIn places with white 
walls in the 
background, which 
reflect sunlight 
toward the cameraWhere the 
object has 
the sun at 
its back
Built-in sensor
Bright 
 lightWhite 
 walls 
						

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Recommended Installation Locations
Top View
Where it is easy to detect people coming off the street towards the property and where passing cars 
do not cause interference.
It is easier to detect people when they pass in front of the camera.
A sensor range cap can be attached to the camera to control the detection range. For more 
information, see page 27.
Side View
Difficult to detect
Easy to detect
Entrance
Camera
Distance     About 3 m
(9 feet 10 inches)
    About 3 m (9 feet 10 inches)
Distance
Camera
    About 3 m
(9 feet 10 inches)Height 
						

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Installation Examples
Example 1:
For detecting people on your property
Example 2: For detecting people entering an area like a garage
Recommend Not Recommend
Where it is easy to detect people coming off 
the street towards the property and where 
passing cars do not cause interference.
It is easier to detect people when they pass in 
front of the camera.People or cars passing by on the street are 
easy to detect, but people approaching the 
camera by walking toward the front of the 
camera are difficult to detect.
Recommend Not Recommend
Intruders entering the garage will be easy to 
detect, but people or cars passing by on the 
street will be difficult to detect.
It is easier to detect people when they pass in 
front of the camera.People or cars passing by on the street will 
be easy to detect, but intruders entering the 
garage will be difficult to detect.
Note
• Cameras should be mounted so that they 
can view over parked cars, or other objects in 
the garage.
Difficult to detect
Easy to detect
Entrance
Camera
Easy to detect
Entrance
Difficult to detect
Camera
Difficult to detect
Easy to detectEasy to detectStreet
Camera
Easy to detect
Difficult to detect
Camera
Street 
						

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Light Brightness (BL-C160 Only)
The camera features a built-in light that can turn on automatically when it is 
dark, or when the camera’s motion detection or sensor features are triggered.
The following brightness levels are measured 3 m (9 feet 10 inches) from the 
camera.
Directly in front of the camera: about 8.5 lx
20° to the sides of the camera: about 2.5 lx
Note that the light may not provide enough light to illuminate the 
surrounding area.
Effect of Brightness and Distance on Image Quality
Distinguishing faces is difficult in the following situations.
• When the person is too far from the camera
(Generally, faces should be distinguishable up to 3 m [9 feet 10 inches] away, however, other 
variables, such as shadowing, backlight, angle, etc., may affect the distance at which faces can 
be recognized.)
• In the late afternoon and at night, or other times when the surrounding area is dark
• When people are moving (which causes blurring) in front of the camera
Light 
						

							17
Connections
Connect the camera to your router and to the power outlet as described below.
• Before proceeding, confirm that your PC is connected to your router and can access the Internet. 
Also confirm that your router’s UPnP™ feature is enabled. (Most routers have UPnP™ turned off 
by default.) 
* Use a LAN cable that is no more than 30 m (98 feet 5 inches) long to connect the camera and the power transfer unit.
LAN cableRouter Power transfer unitAC adaptor Outside
Inside
Wall
Outdoor LAN cable
To the power outlet
(For BL-C140CE/
BL-C140E/
BL-C160CE/
BL-C160E
use an AC cord)
* 
						

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Camera Mounting
Caution
• Do not drive the screws into a soft material. Drive the screws into a secure area of the wall, 
such as a column, otherwise the camera may fall and be damaged.
• Make sure you attach the safety wire when mounting the camera, to prevent the camera from 
falling.
• Do not place the camera near any heat emitting devices (e.g., water heaters, air 
conditioners). (Placing the camera near heat emitting devices can cause the built-in sensor 
to not detect properly.)
Note
• Use a LAN cable that is no more than 30 m (98 feet 5 inches) long to connect the 
camera and the power transfer unit.
• Use screws that are appropriate for the material of the wall.
• The included screws are for use with wooden walls only.
• Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or halogen light may damage the camera’s image 
sensor. Mount the camera appropriately.
• Make sure to waterproof any openings or holes made during installation.
• When connecting the cable, waterproof the cable using the included right-angle joint, foam 
strip and self bonding tape.
• When installing cables through the ground, do not connect cables under the ground. Install 
cables through a conduit to protect them from water.
• Refer to page 9-12 for information about the operation of the built-in sensor before deciding 
where to install the camera.
1Secure the safety wire to the camera using screw B (included) and 
washer S (included).
• Make sure you attach the safety wire when mounting the camera, to prevent the camera 
from falling.
2Remove the tab on the flexible stand, then pass an outdoor LAN cable 
through the notch.
Safety wire
Washer S
Screw B 
						

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3Mount the flexible stand firmly to the wall using screw A (included).
• Do not drive the screws into a soft material. Drive the screws into a secure area of the wall, 
such as a column, otherwise the camera may fall and be damaged.
• Use screws that are suited for the type of material the camera is mounted to.
• Be careful not to nip the cable.
• Make sure the flexible stand is firmly mounted on a beam (at least 25 mm [1 inch] thick) etc. 
When there is no beam, apply a board on the other side of the wall to make sure the 
camera does not drop.
4Pass the cable through the right-angle joint and attach the right-angle 
joint by fastening screw B.
• Insert the LAN cable until it clicks into to place.
• Make sure that the “
↑UP” symbol is pointing up when attaching the right-angle joint to the 
camera.
• Securely fasten all screws.
Screw A
At least 25 mm
(1 inch) 
						

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5Wrap the included foam strip around the cable, insert it into the opening 
of the right-angle joint, and then wrap at least the first 50 mm (1 15/16 
inches) of the cable using the included self bonding tape. 
• Leave about 10 mm (3/8 inches) of the foam exposed, as shown.
• Stretch the tape to twice its length when you wrap the cable. 
• Overlap the tape when you wrap the cable.
• Make sure that there are no gaps in the wrapped tape for water to enter.
6Attach the camera by screwing the threaded mount into the stand 
mounting hole.
• Loosen the flexible stand grip to make adjusting the angle of the camera easier. Once the 
camera is adjusted to the desired angle, retighten the grip firmly into place.
7Adjust the camera position.
• Leave some slack in the cable, as shown.
   50 mm 
(1 15/16 inches)
Grip Threaded 
mount