Installation Resources for Architects & Contractors

Designing a modern timing system starts long before race day. Plan for power, connectivity and data flow from the start and you avoid costly changes later.

• Hayward Field
• Icahn Stadium
• Estádio Mangueirão
• Gombak Stadium
• Novogorsk Olympic Training Center
• Mexican Olympic Sports Center

Planning key

• Primary finish line: Weatherproof junction boxes inside and outside the finish line, joined by 2–3 conduits (2" PVC) under the track. AC power and Ethernet (Cat6) for the finish-line cameras and timing network. The spare conduit gives redundancy and room to expand.
• Reverse the 100 m: Junction boxes inside (and outside if possible) at the 100 m start, with conduit from the finish line and across the track. AC power and Ethernet, so the cameras can move there and the 100 m can run the other way in high wind.
• Reverse the 200 m: Junction boxes inside (and outside if possible) at the 200 m start, with conduit on from the 100 m and across the track. AC power and Ethernet, to reverse 200 m sprints or run the whole meet with this as the primary finish line.
• 1500 m start: Conduit from the 200 m infield junction box along the back straight, then across the track to a junction box on the outside. AC power, start (XLR-3) and audio cabling to the 1500 m start, fed through the 200 m junction box and its fiber.
• Fiber to the press box: Fiber optic from the press box, under the bend to the finish line’s infield junction box, then on through the infield to the 200 m junction box. The timing network: Ethernet isn’t recommended over 300 ft, so fiber covers the distance, with a converter at each end back to Ethernet. The press box also needs dedicated AC power for the timing computers.

One cable to every camera

Vision and Vision PRO cameras run entirely on PoE. One cable from a PoE switch or injector carries both power and data.

• 802.3at PoE+: Standard power input on Vision and Vision PRO. AC, DC or battery are options.
• Cat6: Recommended for future-proofing; Cat5 minimum. Over 300 ft, use fiber.

Lynx track packages run a closed network above ground, so the venue only has to supply power.

Junction box design

• Inside and outside the track, near the finish line.
• In-ground, with drainage or an open bottom so water can’t build up.
• Power and communication cables kept separate inside.
• Multiple conduit connections for redundancy and future upgrades.
• At least three 2" (50 mm) conduit runs at the finish line, with sweep elbows and no sharp bends where fiber will run.

Basic track

• A pair of junction boxes on opposite sides of the finish line.
• 2" underground conduit connecting them.
• Ethernet between the finish-line camera and the timing computer.
• AC or PoE power for cameras and accessories.

Advanced track

• Junction box pairs at alternate finish lines, so the race direction can change.
• Conduit along the straights to the 100 m, 200 m and 1500 m starts, for underground start cabling.
• XLR connection points in infield junction boxes, so starters can stand where they need to.
• Infield power and data for wind gauges and extra cameras.
• Connections to scoreboards, displays and the press box or control room.