If you are looking to buy a new security camera system, and are planning on locating some of the cameras outside, its important to ensure that the cameras that come with the system are weatherproof. If you already have a security camera system with indoor cameras installed, but want to add an additional security camera (lets say to monitor a driveway), its also important to select a weatherproof security camera.
An external weatherproof security camera should be able to withstand rain, snow, extreme heat, dust, and any other weather abnormalities. At the very least, a weatherproof security camera should be waterproof. As external cameras may have to be mounted onto various types of external surfaces, its important that the camera come with a good mounting bracket.
Security Cameras
The resolution on an external weatherproof security camera generally needs to be better than on a standard indoor camera, as an external weatherproof camera normally needs to be able to see things over a greater distance. The resolution of an external camera should normally be at least 400 TV lines (TVL).
A weatherproof security camera will normally be expected to operate at night and therefore should have night vision capability. Night vision security cameras use infrared LEDs to project infrared light in order to be able to see in the dark (for a certain distance). Normally the better night vision cameras, that can see further, have more infrared LEDs, or will have larger infrared LEDs.
The product information for a night vision security camera will normally specify the infrared illumination distance, normally in feet. This is the distance that the camera will be able to see in total darkness. You need to take into consideration where the camera will be located, and what kind of distance you will need the camera to be able to see in the dark to meet your security requirements.
A color weatherproof security camera should have the capability to automatically switch to black and white mode at night (and automatically back to color mode during daylight hours). Video viewed in black and white is better than color for poor lighting conditions, and your night time viewing distance is greatly increased by using black and white video images.
The product information for an weatherproof security camera may also specify its light sensitivity in lux. A camera with a light sensitivity of 0 lux will be able to see in absolute darkness, whilst a camera with a light sensitivity of 2 lux will produce good visible video in rooms lit by 40W light bulbs. An night vision camera should be rated at 0 lux within its infrared range, and will have a positive lux rating for viewing beyond its infrared range – this will normally be less than 0.5 lux.
A weatherproof security camera can come in a bullet, dome, or standard housing, and all these housings should be waterproof. Some weatherproof cameras have built in heaters to eliminate the formation of ice on the housing lens window – these camera are required in very cold locations. Some weatherproof cameras are also vandal resistant, and can withstand being hit by bats or by hammers.
Wireless or wired? Most external weatherproof security cameras are wired, as wireless cameras can be susceptible to external interference caused by extreme weather conditions. Top-of-the-range weatherproof security cameras may have PTZ capability – pan, tilt, and zoom capability allows someone viewing the camera video images on a monitor to remotely adjust where the camera points, and to zoom in on specific areas.
Weatherproof security cameras with night vision vary quite a bit in cost. A camera with an infrared viewing distance of 120 feet will cost quite a bit more than a camera with an infrared viewing distance of 25 feet. Note that within this viewing distance, the lux sensitivity of the camera is 0 lux – the camera should produce visible video in complete darkness within this range. Beyond this distance, some of the more expensive night vision cameras can still see quite well on the dark, and may have a lux rating or 0.1 or less for viewing distances grater than its specified infrared range.
The Q-See QSVC456C Weatherproof CCD Camera
Tags: home security camera, weatherproof camera, weatherproof security camera
