Installing security cameras is an effective step towards protecting a property. When installed at a business, home or not-for-profit, cameras are powerful deterrents to criminals engaging in theft or malicious damage.
Cameras are effective at warding off criminals and capturing footage of criminal activity. To improve their effectiveness, they should be optimally installed to record an appropriate area, resist malicious damage and also be able to resist the elements.
If any of your cameras are indoors, they should potentially be well protected against UV rays, rain, dust and moisture, depending on your environment. Cameras in dusty indoor environments, like some manufacturing facilities, can benefit from featuring a dust resistant rating.
If your security cameras are placed outdoors, you’ll want them to be weatherproof or waterproof and potentially dust proof as well. A security camera with a good IP rating will provide protect against water and dust.
Keep in mind that even if a camera is placed under cover, like under an awning or verandah, then it can still potentially be susceptible to dust or moisture. Rain coming in at an angle is something to be cautious of too. If any UV rays hit the camera throughout the day, you’ll want to be sure it’s made to withstand UV.
What Do IP Ratings Mean?
IP Rating stands for “Ingress Protection Rating”. This determines how protected a device is from water and solids getting inside it.
For security cameras, the IP rating is represented by two numbers following IP. The first number is the protection against solid and the second number is the protection against water.
The higher the IP rating number, the greater the protection.
For example, the first number being 6 means that the device is rated to be dust-tight, so not dust will get in for 2 to 8 hours. The second number being 6 means it can withstand a strong jet of water, like a non-damaging pressure washer. Alternatively, if the second number was 7, this means it can also withstand being submerged underwater at 15cm to 1m, for up to 30 minutes.
What Do IPX Ratings Mean?
Sometimes you will find a camera rated as IP6X, IPX7 and similar. The X indicates that the solid or liquid IP rating was never tested or provided.
Getting More Advice on Water and Dust Resistant Security Cameras
Properly installing the appropriate rated security cameras boosts their longevity and reliability. The last thing you want during criminal activity is for your security cameras to fail due to dust or water.
If you’re looking for more advice to suit your unique situation, speak with a qualified, licensed and experience security product installer, like the team at Twenty First Security. For over 33 years, we have installed a range of high quality weather resistant security cameras for businesses, not-for-profits and individuals throughout Melbourne Victoria. We know what works well in the Australian environment, installing quality products for our customers that protect them for years and years. If you want security cameras that are made to handle Australian conditions, then get in touch with the experts at Twenty First Security.