Cases for IP cameras.
Video cameras used in adverse external conditions (outdoors or in vandal-prone areas) are traditionally placed inside an additional protective casing. IP cameras are no better than conventional ones in this regard; they are often even more delicate and require more precise temperature maintenance.
Are regular housings suitable for IP cameras? And if not, what kind do you need for them?
A large number of IP cameras have mechanical characteristics similar to conventional box video cameras — an oblong body, a mount with a single screw with a quarter-inch thread (like all photo cameras). Such cameras can usually be placed in a general-purpose housing, it is only important to make sure that the dimensions are suitable (IP cameras are usually somewhat larger than similar cameras with an analog LF output). The range of housings for standard cameras on the Russian market is quite large, you can choose for any taste, color and budget.
Just remember to adjust the temperature range. If the casing is originally designed for video cameras with a temperature range of -20 °C to +60 °C, and the casing specifications state a range of -30 °C to +55 °C, this means that the casing provides heating of only 10 degrees. Therefore, having installed a typical IP camera with a temperature range of +5 °C to +50 °C there, you will only be able to use it outdoors at -5 degrees. The example may be somewhat exaggerated, but in general it is quite typical that regular video cameras can operate at -10 °C, and IP video cameras — only at 0 or even at +5 °C. That is, the temperature parameters indicated on the casing should be adjusted by 10–15 degrees.
That is why special housings with additional thermal insulation are often recommended for IP cameras, even those similar in mechanical characteristics to conventional ones, similar to those used for traditional cameras in Yakutia and Alaska. In addition, some housings are specially adapted to slightly larger dimensions, and sometimes to special power requirements of an IP video camera. By the way, although many IP video cameras do not require separate power supply (they are powered using Power-over-Ethernet technology), it is almost impossible to provide power to the heater using this technology. The heater requires 220 Vac, and in this case it is often cost-effective to power the video camera itself not via an Ethernet cable, but from a 12 Vdc source built into the housing.
We should also mention that there are general-purpose housings that can easily accommodate a regular video camera and a video server (IP encoder), so that as a result you get an IP video camera. There are even special extended-length housings available with a pre-installed video server, which still leave enough space for any regular video camera of your choice.
But let's get back to specialized housings for IP video cameras. A significant portion of specialized housings are designed for cameras with non-standard mounts and non-standard dimensions. In particular, almost all dome IP video cameras have non-standard mounts, and therefore they require special dome housings for outdoor installation. In addition, as a rule, the «inner» dome can be removed to reduce light loss. This applies to both pan/tilt (controlled) and fixed dome cameras.
As you might guess, most of these specialized housings are standard (there aren't that many manufacturers of high-quality acrylic plastic domes in the world), but only with a special mounting adapter. If necessary (including financial), you can easily take any outdoor dome housing of the appropriate size and make an adapter for your chosen IP video camera from a sheet of metal.
In addition to the mounting features, some IP video cameras have a very non-standard configuration. For example, «panoramic» megapixel video cameras, consisting of several video cameras simultaneously directed in different directions. Such cameras have very specific dimensions (not small dimensions). Fortunately, the technologies for producing large dome housings, previously necessary for large-sized video cameras, have not yet been forgotten.
As for dome housings, I'll remind you of an old trick popular in the early years of high-speed dome cameras. They weren't particularly low-temperature capable back then (like IP cameras are today), so they were often installed in an additional large dome housing (completely, along with their own housing). Fortunately, standard old dome housings (and many housings for high-speed domes) had the same mount on a threaded pipe. Over time, the 1.5-inch pipe thread was replaced by a metric M30 or even bayonet mounts, so to repeat that trick now you may also need additional adapters turned on a lathe. Don't forget: despite the good sealing of dome housings, sometimes you will have to wash them from the inside, including between the two domes. In addition, each additional dome does not improve light transmission and introduces distortion, so a 10-megapixel video camera with an expensive lens may end up being no better than an old CIF.
You can see the models of some brands presented on the Russian market in the review part of the material.
Universal thermal housings of the EH1512 series with IP66 (Pelco by Schneider Electric)
The compact EH1512 series housings are designed to protect analog and network cameras from any manufacturer from dust, moisture and various precipitation. They have a sealed aluminum case with IP66 and NEMA 4X protection classes, a Lexan viewing glass and are supplied in various configurations. The basic EH1512-2 model is equipped with a heater and a fan, which are powered by a 24 V AC source and provide the camera with operating conditions at external temperatures from -23°C to +50°C. Depending on the installation location, other EH1512 models can be used, which are equipped with a bracket with hidden cable routing, a sun visor, a power supply for the camera and a glass defroster. A distinctive feature of all EH1512 series housings is the presence of removable skids for mounting the camera, easy opening of the top cover and a three-year manufacturer's warranty.
Universal thermal housings STH-3230 with IP67 and side opening of the lid (Smartec)
Outdoor thermal housings of the STH-3230 series by Smartec are distinguished by a rare combination on the market of the highest degree of dust and moisture protection IP67 and side opening of the top cover of the case. This series is represented by two models made of cast aluminum, in which you can install cameras powered by 12 V DC or 220 V AC sources, including with varifocal detectors. The STH-3230D model is supplied without a power supply, and the STH-3230D-PSU1 has a pulse power supply with a current of up to 1 A. Both models are equipped with two heaters and ensure stable operation of cameras in the temperature range from -55°C to +50°C. In addition, the thermal housings are supplied with a bracket with partial through-wiring of the cable and an original visor in design, creating an air gap, additionally protecting the thermal housing and camera from overheating.
KIT6 casing (Tekno System)
Designed for use with IP cameras, the housing features a dedicated heater, heavy-duty power supply, and surge protection for power and Ethernet lines.
For full integration with modern IT technologies, models with HiPoe standard camera and housing power supply are offered. The built-in power divider flexibly redistributes and regulates the amount of energy supplied to the camera and housing, thereby ensuring stable camera operation in both cold and hot climates. The new HiPoe standard allows up to 30 W of power to be transmitted over a standard Cat.5 cable, which will ensure the operation of the IP camera at ambient temperatures down to -50 °C.
UHO-HBGS-50 Protective Thermal Housing (Bosch Security Systems)
The cylindrical thermal housing UHO-HBGS-50 has a useful volume of 262 x 81 x 89 mm, protection rating IP66 and maintains an internal temperature of -20 to +55 degrees Celsius. This thermal housing ensures convenient maintenance of the CCTV camera directly at the installation site, protects it from direct sunlight, and eliminates any possibility of unauthorized access to the camera. The heaters and fan of the UHO-HBGS-50 operate from an alternating current source of 220 V/50 Hz and perform heating of the viewing window and forced air flow of the internal space.
The thermal housing fully complies with international and European standards for electrical safety (EN 60950-1 (CE)), burglary resistance (EN 50130-4 (CE), fire resistance and efficiency (EN 55022 class B (CE).
All UHO-HBGS-50 fasteners are made of stainless steel, and the aluminum body makes the housing lightweight (3.2 kg), durable, UV-resistant, fire-resistant, and corrosion-resistant (NEMA-4X).
Verso (Videotec)
The body of the Videotec Verso thermal housing is not made of aluminum, but of impact-resistant technopolymer. The main advantages of this solution are a significant increase in the efficiency of the thermal housing due to the reduction of the thermal conductivity of the body and the immunity of the thermal housing to the adverse chemical effects of the environment of a modern city or industrial facilities. Recommended for protecting 1/3 and 1/4 CCTV cameras and network CCTV cameras
Under the same operating conditions, the difference between the internal temperature of the aluminum thermal housing and the Videotec Verso thermal housing is 4–5 °C, a significant enough margin of safety to ensure the smooth operation of the CCTV camera in the harsh Russian winter. A built-in heater, regulated by a temperature sensor, ensures a uniform temperature throughout the entire volume of the housing. To guarantee the prevention of glass fogging, it is possible to additionally install a fan. The HOV series also provides the ability to install IP cameras.