The purpose of an outdoor security camera is to monitor an area that is prone to criminal activity or otherwise undesired activity. For this reason the camera itself is put at risk of physical destruction from the very vandals we are protecting ourselves from. There are, however, a few things we can control to minimize the risks.
The first consideration is the camera itself, or the housing that the camera will be in. How the camera is mounted will play a big role as well as the placement of the camera. One of the most reliable ways is to install an intelligent video alarm on the camera itself.
When it comes to the physical toughness of the camera or housing, something made of metal can offer much stronger protection than something made of plastic. Also, a traditional fixed camera that sticks out of a wall or ceiling is more prone to physical destruction than a dome PTZ camera or a dome shaped housing. Also, how it is hidden amongst its environment has a lot to do with whether it is a target for vandalism.
How the camera is mounted also will determine the level of protection from physical abuse. Mounting the camera or housing flush with a wall or ceiling is much more effective than simply mounting it on the wall or ceiling. If most of the camera is mounted inside with only the transparent part showing, it is much better protected from different angles. We also want the cables to be pulled directly through the wall or ceiling but if that can’t be then at least run the cables through a metal conduit tube to protect the cables.
Camera placement is also an important factor in deterring vandalism. By placing a camera out of reach on high walls or in the ceiling, many spur-of-the-moment attacks can be prevented. The downside may be the angle of view, which to some extent can be compensated by selecting a different lens.
Axis’ active tampering alarm feature helps protect cameras against vandalism. It can detect if a camera has been redirected, obscured or tampered with, and can send alarms to operators. This is especially useful in installations with hundreds of cameras in demanding environments where keeping track of the proper functioning of all cameras is difficult. It is also useful in situations where no live viewing takes place and operators can be notified when cameras have been tampered with.
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