Weather can wreak havoc on cameras and equipment. It’s the plain truth. In fact, it doesn’t matter which camera you look at purchasing, they will all promise you superior picture quality, ease of use and durability. Unfortunately, some guarantees just can’t be kept especially if you live in areas where weather conditions may be harsh.
An outdoor camera specifically has to withstand a multitude of environmental factors. From water, wind, dust, high temperatures and low temperatures, Alberta specifically offers all these conditions (sometimes in a single day!). A surveillance camera is a piece of computer hardware and a lens. In the case of PTZ cameras (Pan/Tilt/Zoom), the camera also houses a motor that allows greater flexibility within its lens and housing.
Water
Now there is no need to tell you what water can do to an electronic device, there is a reason why there are hundreds of tutorials on putting a soaked device into rice to get it to work again. Unfortunately, with surveillance cameras this is a far-fetched option, as, by the time the water has reached the housing and it is noticed, the camera is most likely already destroyed, This is why it is important to have a camera that is built to withstand the weather conditions that are thrown at it.
Temperature
While water seals are usually a fairly straightforward and fairly reliable, temperature ratings are not. Many camera kits that are sold do not hold up in the winter that Canada can throw at them. Many camera kits do not state the temperature ratings on the actual cameras, and as such are prone to failure. As an example, we had a customer approach is after he installed a camera kit that he purchased from a local wholesaler. The cameras were installed in the winter and the next day the temperature plunged to -20 degrees Celsius. Upon waking up the day after installing the system, our customer investigated the screen he hooked to the camera system, only to find a few cameras out. Over the course of Day 2 more cameras failed. We then got the call and investigated the cameras. It turned out all the cameras failed because of the temperature plunge. They were not able to handle the cold and failed. We then installed a custom camera system for a slightly higher price, which is capable of working at temperatures much lower than -20 degrees Celsius. This is why it is important to consider all the options for a surveillance system. Pre-packaged surveillance systems present other significant challenges, of which, we discuss here.
Just as the cold brings along significant challenges for camera hardware, heat can do the exact same. Since cameras are more or less a small computer with a camera lens, heat is produced by those computer chips. If you have held your smartphone for a long time or used a laptop for a long time, these devices heat up significantly. Cameras do the exact same. As such in extreme temperatures, the camera can fail prematurely due to overheating. It is important to realize these limitations and use the correct cameras for the application. There are cameras that are built to withstand temperatures up to 60 degrees Celsius. For hot manufacturing environments, these cameras are also beneficial for inside the building.
Challenges of PTZ Cameras in the Cold
Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras are also prone to having issues in cold weather. A PTZ camera is essentially a camera with three motors in it. These control the panning, tilting, and zooming of the lens. The motion is transferred via gears within the camera, and these gears are of different build quality depending on the camera. Plastic gears, for example, can fail in the cold, if they are not made for the temperature. A select few camera manufacturers have switched to metal gears and have added heaters to the camera. Axis specifically has developed a piece of software that will not allow the camera to move under a certain temperature level. The heaters within the camera will heat the internals to the desired temperature, which is accomplished very quickly, and the camera can then start moving again. This prevents the gears from failing prematurely and protects your investment.
Get in Touch
Considering a camera kit? Have us design a solution for you instead, it is just as affordable, and you will get your money’s worth. Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments. You can call us at any time at (403) 477-4800 or email us at info@authorizedsecurity.ca.