Extreme video surveillance. 6 main damaging factors

Video surveillance is required not only on the streets but in ordinary premises. Cameras ensure the safety of an object in a hostile environment, and therefore they must be protected from all threats. This article will analyze what extreme video surveillance is and what it can threaten.

What is extreme observation?

Extreme video surveillance is monitoring at sites where workers’ lives are constantly at risk. For instance:

• oil and gas sector;
• production and storage of explosive substances;
• mines;
• nuclear stations, etc.

The main tasks of video cameras are to monitor the situation and protect the environment from sparks and short circuits that can occur in the device itself.

Striking factors for video equipment

For the equipment to cope with its tasks, it is necessary to consider the damaging factors affecting the monitoring operation. The protection of IP video cameras must be sharpened precisely for threatening external conditions. 

Let’s take a closer look at them.

Moisture and dust particles

The most common threats to equipment are dust and moisture. That is why today, almost all devices are IP67 protected. Camcorders with this level can work on construction sites, near dusty roads, and even underwater.

An additional threat to equipment can be not moisture itself but condensation. It appears due to the temperature difference inside the device and outside. Read more: “7 Ways to Get Rid of Condensation on a CCTV Camera”.

Temperature influences

Video monitoring may be required in both extreme cold and heat conditions. For example, a heating system, seals, and thermal housings will help against severe frost. With such modernization, observation will work in Antarctica at -90 ° C.

But what if video monitoring is required in conditions of excessive heat? What to do with it so that the system does not overheat? Then liquid cooling comes to the rescue.

Thunderstorm

Lightning is the most unpredictable risk for video surveillance systems. Even a lightning rod does not provide 100% protection, so there is a need for lightning protection for video cameras. Without it, if lightning strikes, overvoltage can: 

• damage the electronic parts of the system; 
• burn out equipment; 
• all information from the storage will be erased. 

But it is essential to understand that the protection system does not prevent lightning from entering the system, but it protects it from voltage surges.

Insects

Outdoor video surveillance is not only affected by the weather, but insects can also harm it. For example, spider webs, flying moths, mosquitoes, and butterflies around the lens will obscure what is happening. But this is not the worst thing.

Small insects that get inside the case and damage electronics are a significant threat. Read more about how to escape from them in our article: “7 ways to protect your camcorder from cobwebs and insects.“

Explosive environment

As we said above, one tiny spark inside the camera can cause an accident. And to prevent this from happening, it is reasonable to use explosion-proof cameras with intrinsically safe housing at enterprises.

And to strengthen the security system, update it with video analytics.

You can learn more about the capabilities of analytical software using the example of our Faceter service at the link.

Radiation 

A separate class of surveillance devices is radiation-protected cameras. For example, the equipment itself can be protected with a lead case; then the matrix remains under attack, on which the quality of the shooting depends. To save the images, the following protection option was invented. The matrix in such cameras is located inside the case, where it is inaccessible to the influence of radiation.

Conclusion

Video surveillance can be installed in absolutely any conditions, even in the most extreme ones. The only thing that needs to be taken into account is the nature of the risk and select specific protection for your equipment.