Introduction

Sometimes getting a device in the optimum position is not easy - the layout of the building can make it challenging to ensure that there is adequate available field of view to ensure accuracy is high, or the physical installation can be difficult due to lack of a mounting fixing location or the challenges of running cables.

This section shows what to look for and how to overcome installation issues.

Very High Ceilings

The highest allowed mounting height is 4.5m.

If the ceiling is higher than 4.5m, the Vector(s) must be installed away from the ceiling so that it is below 4.5m.

Don't forget that a Vector measures its own mounting height so if mounted above 4.5m it will generate a lot of 'warning' messages, and will flash an LED error sequence constantly. 
To ensure that a Vector is below 4.5m and will not generate lots of warning messages, it is recommended that they are mounted at 4.4m to be sure.

Fixing a Vector off the ceiling can be accomplished by using a bracket fixed to the wall above the door, or it can be done using a drop pole fixed to the ceiling.

A high mounting height such as this will provide a very large field of view, and consequently also means that the Vector can be mounted further from the door if required:

Whilst the physical installation involving securing a bracket or pole at height, and running the network cable to this location, may be difficult, the accuracy of the installation should always take precedence.

You can of course use a bracket much much lower than the ceiling, but remember that the field of view will be massively reduced if you go too low:

Very Low Ceilings

Low ceilings make installations extremely difficult.

A low ceiling means a smaller field of view, which may mean that additional units might be required in order to cover the full width of the doorway.
Low ceilings also mean that doors and other moving objects will interfere with a large proportion of that already small field of view and so placement relative to the door is even more important.

In all cases, it is recommended that other counting locations are investigated in order to negate installing on a very low ceiling. That could mean simply mounting on the other side of a dividing door, but it could mean thinking carefully about where the transition point is, where people are deemed to have entered a building or has gone from one zone to another. For example, counting people in to a building from the underground car park, doesn't always have to be at the door to the car park - counting at the top of the stairs from the underground car park will still count the same people, but could have a higher ceiling and be more accurate because of it.

Where avoiding a low ceiling is not possible, the next factor to consider is the door itself.

The standard advice is to install 1m back from a door, but if the ceiling is very low, and the field of view is very small, then mounting 1m back could provide a 'gap' where people will not be seen and so cannot be counted.

In these cases, additional units may be required, possibly in a clever and efficient arrangement that avoids the swing of the door, whilst ensuring there are no gaps: 

Dependent on the layout of the building beyond the door, you may be able to install further into the building and avoid the door completely:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vector Wide Opening Separation

For recommended installation settings relating to multiple Vectors installed as part of a ‘multi-unit’, or ‘wide opening’, network, see separate Multi-Unit Network Connection section and Wide Tracker Settings.

A separate Excel spreadsheet calculator is available to assist with specifying the correct number of devices and the installation separation required for any wide doorway.

Note that Vectors must have the requisite firmware which supports wide opening networks before they can utilise that functionality.