How Do Outdoor Security Cameras With Stand The Elements?

Posted by Ryan Blair on August 23rd, 2018

To fully protect the home or business, you need security cameras both inside and outside of the premises. Outdoor cameras need to withstand the British weather which can range from freezing in winter to very hot in the summer. How do outdoor security cameras cope with the elements?

Working conditions

Cameras designed to work outside should have an IP rating. IP in this context stands for Ingres Protection (which is not related to an internet IP address). An IP rating of 66 means that the camera can withstand impact from solid particles. This includes both dust and rain. On dry days with heavy wind, dust can be blown into the camera, so the cameras should have no gaps where the dust can enter. The camera also needs to be waterproof so that it can withstand heavy rain and snow storms.

An outside camera in the UK should be rated to operate at temperatures ranging from -10˚C to 55˚C. It is unlikely that outside temperatures will reach such extreme cold or hot levels. Cameras also need to operate in humidity between 10% and 90%.

How the cameras withstand the hazards

There are several ways in which outside security cameras can be protected. Metal casing is effective. Some cameras have a rain cover or are housed in an enclosure that protects them.

The cable that powers the camera should be rated for outdoor use and be waterproof.

Glare

Strong sunlight can mean that the video images from the outdoor camera are spoilt by glare. A camera pointing at reflective surfaces such as glass panels, water or polish metal can also suffer from glare. The camera may need to have its viewing angle adjusted so that it does not pick up glare.

Fogging

Sometimes condensation can cause the lens of the camera to mist over, resulting in blurred images. Placing a packet of silica gel inside the housing of the camera or regularly wiping the lens with a microfiber cloth can solve this issue.

Lightning

If the camera is mounted on a metal pole, there is a slight chance that the cameras could be damaged by lightning in a storm. A lightning storm can also cause power surges that could damage the camera. Use a power surge protection plug to prevent this from happening and make sure that the camera is earthed properly.

Sometimes a lightning strike can damage the router that a wireless camera is connected to and the user can no longer receive video feeds. In this case, the only solution is a new router and the hope that the storm also puts off intruders.

Making sure your camera works in all conditions

The best home security cameras in the UK that are designed for outdoor use will be designed to protect the camera from the elements. Home security cameras with wireless technology are designed with the British weather in mind. As long as you purchase well-made security cameras they will withstand the elements and keep on protecting your property in all weathers.