Thanks for the clarification. You perhaps unintentionally understood the idea. You put the wire cutters on there. It actually would apply to all users…who would want to have a system installed that would serve more than about 2-3 cameras.
The 110VAC/5VDC adapter only exists to convert the power. However, for a distributed system with multiple cameras on a property, that means that one would have to find or build multiple 110VAC receptacle boxes and outlet plugs in places within 6 feet of the camera location. If one wanted to mount, say, 18 cameras under soffits, the placement of receptacle boxes to receive a 110VAC/5VDC “plug” as provided may not be possible as the space between the soffit and the roof hip may not allow enough depth to recess the box. Also, the plug would then “stick out” under the soffit and be exposed. Same problem happens if I want to mount a camera near a ceiling - often not within 6 feet of an existing plug.
There are lots of options for distributed 5/12/24 VDC power and various transformers. Systems less than 24 V do not require receptacle boxes and junction boxes per NEC code. Therefore, one doesn’t have to install a box, and can provide direct low-voltage wire (e.g. 18 ga. bell/speaker wire) which is much cheaper than the 110VAC Romex required to meet code if the cameras are to be powered by 110VAC at the plug. If the runs are short enough, the installer could install a 5VDC system. If not, there are lots of options for 12/24 VDC with a buck converter (i.e. step-down transformer) at the end-of-line available for an affordable price. Not only that, but a single, normal, household 20A circuit could power 440 cameras. So it’s a HUGE cost in wiring that is unnecessary if one tries to power an array of cameras. It is unwieldy and impractical.
Since most people aren’t installers or engineers, they’re going to give a box of cameras to an installer or engineer and then they have to cut the USB-A plug off the end of line and just trash the included 110VAC/5VDC plug transformer IF they want to install an integrated whole-house system. This is more trouble than it’s worth and is easily fixed at little to no cost to Wyze by simply allowing an extension line with the Micro-USB weatherproof connection on one end and a bare-wire pair on the other.
Yes. Someone who knows what they’re doing would just as easily snip the USB-A plug off (which is what I do) with the wire strippers you showed a picture of and then do the splice with a combination solder/shrink fitting to provide weatherproof connection and a hard-wire connection back to a distributed power supply. If I were Wyze, that type of action, as “okay” as it might be if you’re an installer, electrician, or engineer who knows what you’re doing, would void some warranties.
So that leaves a guy like me, who knows what he’s doing, with a choice: I either snip the wire and re-splice into and engineered, distributed power system that makes far more sense and risk voiding a warranty, or I communicate with Wyze that they can have a MUCH bigger sales base if they make it easier for installers, engineers to spec their product for new and expanded whole house systems. So far from applying to a “small number” of people, their price point for the V3 makes it very attractive for a distributed system spec that could sell 12-18 cameras per house instead of 1-3 with the 110 VAC system. So it’s potentially a lot more sales by expanding the market base.
You’re right, I didn’t exactly make that clear. So forgive me. But I was assuming that it would be clear to people who do security installs and/or know about electronic hardware. You proposed solution for the Micro-USB plug with a terminal block end is a good one…for indoor applications. It’s too big to weather-proof for an outdoor application. And I’m aware that there are battery-operated outdoor cameras, but no one wants to be recharging an array for 18 cameras covering a property. It would be a full-time job. So we’re back to low-voltage.
So I do appreciate the input. You DID actually “get it”, as evidenced by your wire strippers. I understand why it may not be the right application for you. But I think it would be nice if Wyze could simply provide the extension cable with the weather-proof Micro-USB plug on on one end and bare 5VDC wire ends on the other for installation. I am sure whomever is manufacturing the wiring would be glad to not include more “cost items” on the wiring, and they 110 plugs are not necessary for a distributed system.
Hope that helps.
