FAQs
Does the strength of the Wi-Fi signal impact the battery life of the wireless Prima PCAM Camera or PBELL Video Doorbell?
Wi-Fi connectivity issues may result in decreased battery life due to longer buffering times. The minimum suggested Wi-Fi signal strengths for both the Prima wireless camera and wireless doorbell camera are:
- Wi-Fi Signal Level: ‒60
- Wi-Fi Link Quality: 60
These levels are continually monitored and appear in the Prima dealer portal website (www.NapcoPrima.Pro) under 'Cameras'. The Wi-Fi Signal Level value is displayed in negative dBm units; it might be helpful to visualize these numbers using a number line:
The acceptable signal levels are:
- Wi-Fi Signal Level should be "greater than" or "to the right of" ‒60
- Wi-Fi Link Quality should be "greater than" or "to the right of" 60
Shown below is an example of a camera that has an acceptable Wi-Fi Signal Level because, on the number line, ‒54 is "greater than" and "to the right of" ‒60 and therefore acceptable. However, the Wi-Fi Link Quality is unacceptable (27 is "less than" and "to the left of" 60):
Another example below displays a camera with both an acceptable Signal Level and Link Quality. The Signal Level ‒33 is "greater than" and "to the right of" ‒60 and therefore acceptable, and the Link Quality of 67 is above 60 and therefore also acceptable.
Cameras outside of the acceptable signal levels may still operate correctly; but Wi-Fi connectivity issues that cause longer buffering times may result in decreased battery life.