If you wish to use surveillance cameras in unprotected open spaces, the technology used must be able to withstand demanding weather conditions. This could be dampness due to rain or snow, low temperatures caused by frost and cold or baking hot temperatures caused by direct sunshine in the summer. ABUS has suitable solutions for all types of weather and extreme conditions. Video surveillance also works in difficult environmental conditions, thanks to standard cameras in waterproof housing, compact cameras with all-weather protection or waterproof cameras for use underwater.
Use waterproof compact cameras or a separate outdoor housing to protect equipment against wet conditions. A ventilator and heater, which can also be pre-installed in the equipment, prevent the protective glass from fogging up and protect against condensation in the outdoor housing.
Make sure that you note the IP protection class. IP stands for International Protection and is made up of two digits. The first stands for protection against dust, and the second for protection against water. In unprotected outdoor spaces, you should use a camera with a water protection rating of at least 6, which will protect against strong jets of water. This means that a camera is optimally protected against heavy precipitation and rain from all directions (e.g. if there is a strong wind). You will only need models with a rating of 7 or 8 if the camera is used under water either permanently or most of the time.
The IP protection classes also help to establish the dust protection category, which is indicated by the first digit. All ABUS outdoor cameras offer the maximum dust protection class of 6, which indicates that it is absolutely dustproof. This prevents even the tiniest grains of dust from getting into the camera and becoming trapped on the lens or image sensor, where they could impact on the image quality. Protection against dust is also important in internal spaces, for example, in dusty areas such as production floors.
Cold frequently affects technical equipment. If you are using cameras in areas that are significantly colder than -10°C, we recommend using heated outdoor housing. In this type of housing, a thermostat regulates the ideal operating temperature, and activates the integrated heating system if necessary. The optional ventilator equitably distributes the warm air, and prevents the front panel from becoming fogged up, ensuring that the images taken are always sharp.
Strong, direct sunlight can heat cameras from above and impair the technology. Outdoor cameras and weatherproof housing from ABUS come with a light-coloured sun protection roof as standard, which protects camera bodies from heat. In the VdS-certified weatherproof housing, the housing cover and camera are completely separate, so that no heat is transmitted to the camera.