Thermal imaging cameras for home security.
The estate, located near the town of Newport Pagnell (Buckinghamshire, UK), is a prime example of this.
The integrated FLIR Case Security system is used to protect the estate.
Andrew Herridge, COO of Case Security, explains why the owner of the estate chose thermal imaging cameras: “FLIR thermal imaging cameras are very reliable and can be used in low light conditions.”
Case Security provides electronic security solutions to commercial markets as well as a select number of key local clients. State-of-the-art technology, including thermal imaging, is used to monitor, monitor and protect clients' properties.
No Lighting Required
Unlike other night vision systems, thermal imaging cameras detect constant levels of thermal radiation and use this data to create visual images. This means that FLIR thermal imaging cameras can operate 24/7, regardless of lighting conditions. But that's not all: thermal radiation penetrates the atmosphere better and deeper than visible light, which in turn allows you to see objects through light fog, smoke, dust clouds and even thick haze.
“This property is quite large,” Herridge continues. “There is no street lighting in this rural area, so to monitor the entire property with conventional CCTV cameras we would have to install our own lights. Not only would this be very expensive, it would also draw attention to the property, disrupt local wildlife and have a negative impact on the environment given the amount of electricity required to keep the lights running. There are also maintenance costs to consider as lights often don’t last very long. With FLIR thermal imaging cameras you don’t have that problem.”
Ease of Use
The FLIR SR-Series thermal imaging cameras feature the most advanced technology available today, all in a convenient package. The FLIR SR-313 thermal imaging camera features an uncooled vanadium oxide detector, producing crisp, clear thermal images with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Advanced software called Digital Detail Enhancement, installed in the cameras, improves the quality of the images, so that even the smallest details can be seen.
In conventional CCTV cameras, the primary criterion by which an observer must recognize a threat is color contrast. Even at moderate distances, poor contrast can render such cameras useless. Thermal cameras do not have this limitation. “The contrast level in thermal images is generally much higher due to the difference in body temperature between a person and the surrounding environment,” explains Herridge. “In simple terms, this means that with a thermal camera you can detect the presence of a person at a great distance.”
Excellent detection range
The FLIR SR-313 thermal imaging cameras have a 35mm lens, allowing them to detect a human-sized target at 780m and a small car at over 2km. With such excellent detection range, only a small number of FLIR SR-Series thermal imaging cameras are needed to cover the entire estate. «We installed six FLIR SR-313 thermal imaging cameras at the highest points of the building, covering the entire estate.»
These six thermal imaging cameras are linked to multiple CCTV cameras via a TCP/IP network. “Images from all sensors on the TCP/IP network, including the FLIR SR-313 thermal imaging cameras, can be viewed on any TV screen in the building.”
FLIR’s Advanced Software
Case Security installed FLIR Sensor Manager software to manage the network. FLIR Sensor Manager provides sophisticated and efficient management capabilities for any security equipment, including FLIR thermal imaging camera systems. This allows for the protection of large industrial areas, airports, ports, and residential buildings, such as an estate in Buckinghamshire. FLIR Sensors Manager allows the user to not only automatically discover and easily manage all FLIR thermal imaging cameras on the network, but also monitor many other sensors.
Video Analytics
“We use the high-tech FLIR Sensors Manager software to ensure that any incidents are immediately reported to the owner,” explains Herridge. “FLIR Sensors Manager includes a video analytics module with motion and target detection. The user can set up invisible emergency shutdown wiring and other alarm systems. If the system detects that someone is crossing the outer boundaries of the property, a silent alarm will sound and the images that triggered the alarm will be displayed on the screen. The user will be able to immediately determine whether the person is an intruder or if it is a false alarm. If it is indeed an illegal entry, further action, such as calling the police, will be taken immediately.”
In addition, all images are permanently recorded to hard drives for future use, such as providing police with evidence, Herridge continues. Unless something out of the ordinary happens, the video files will be deleted after a week. If the owner controls this process themselves, or if an alarm is triggered, the files will be stored until the owner decides to delete them.
Alpaca surveillance
“In this case, the owner uses the FLIR SR-313 thermal imaging cameras for another purpose,” says Herridge. “The estate keeps alpacas, small llama-like animals from South America that produce wool similar to sheep’s wool. These animals are an investment and are worth a lot, so the owner uses the FLIR SR-313 thermal imaging cameras to ensure that his alpacas are doing well. He says he can easily tell if any alpacas have escaped from the herd or if the animals’ behavior is changing.”
According to Herridge, the installation of the cameras was hassle-free. All SR-Series cameras can be easily connected to common power and video interfaces found in existing and new security systems. They can be easily integrated into any existing CCTV camera infrastructure, and images from the thermal cameras can be displayed on any display that supports composite video.
No Maintenance Required
“Even more importantly, the total cost of ownership of the FLIR SR-Series thermal imaging cameras is very low,” explains Herridge. “The FLIR SR-Series thermal imaging cameras have uncooled detectors, so they do not require the maintenance required for thermal imaging cameras with cooled detectors, and the absence of a motorized focus mechanism eliminates mechanical failure. The SR-Series cameras do not require any maintenance. This means that the total cost of ownership of these thermal imaging cameras is very low.»