Prepare for the rainy season with Waterproof Security Cameras

In our previous article, we shared how to select an IP security camera and how to choose the optical function parameters of the camera. We believe everyone is now familiar with how to evaluate and select a camera suitable for their usage scenarios! However, in the actual use of security cameras, we are still subject to the influence of resource climate, such as heavy rain, extreme cold, and high temperatures. No worries, with the rapid development of industrial manufacturing levels, our engineers have already had advanced design plans to cope with these natural weather conditions, called waterproof security camera outdoor or weatherproof security camera.

Today, let’s focus on how our engineers provide corresponding outdoor waterproof solutions in the face of heavy rain or torrential weather, allowing users to use them with peace of mind, without worrying about the camera getting waterlogged, soaked, and rendered unusable or even completely damaged.

Firstly, what should we pay attention to when choosing a waterproof camera? For ordinary outdoor cameras, we mainly focus on the performance of the camera. But when considering the rainy season and snowstorms, waterproofing becomes a key factor to consider. Of course, there are so many cameras with waterproof functions on the market, how do we distinguish and define the waterproofing capability? Let’s first understand the current common waterproof standards. The following figure is the electronic product waterproof rating definition table issued by the international IEC organization.

We remove the cumbersome content and extract the most core and easiest to understand things from the table. From the table, we know that there are 0-6 levels of dustproof; waterproof levels range from 0-9, with the abbreviation IP representing International Protection. The first letter after IP represents the level of dustproof capability, such as IP6; the second letter after IP indicates the waterproof capability, such as IP65.

Generally speaking, the first number after IP determines the product’s ability to prevent solid particles, with level 6 being the highest. Currently, engineers design waterproof solutions basically according to the IP6 standard. Then, IP6X is divided into IP65, IP66, and even IP68, which are relatively high levels. Considering cost factors, for general consumer devices, we usually achieve IP65. As shown in the following product:

Of course, if the budget allows, you can choose a higher-level waterproof outdoor camera, such as IP67, IP68. As the waterproof level increases, our design plan and testing conditions are also correspondingly improved, which is reflected in the product price, and the price of such products will be higher.

Secondly, apart from the simple and dry waterproof levels, we also share the various levels of waterproof test conditions and standards. If you find it fun, you can also try it out and see what level the product you bought, or your Apple phone, Apple pad is!

1. IPX1

   Test Name: Vertical Dripping Water Test

   Sample Placement: The sample is placed on a rotating sample table at a rate of 1r/min, with the top of the sample no more than 200mm from the water droplet outlet.

   Test Condition: The water dripping rate is 1mm/min.

   Test Duration: 10min.

2. IPX2

   Test Name: 15° Inclined Dripping Water Test

   Sample Placement: The sample is inclined at a 15° angle to the vertical line, after testing one side, switch to another side, four times in total.

   Test Condition: The water dripping rate is 3mm/min.

   Test Duration: 4X a total of 10min.

3. IPX3

   Test Name: Swing Tube Rainfall Test

   Sample Placement: Select an appropriate radius of the swing tube so that the height of the sample table is at the diameter position of the swing tube, place the sample on the table, with the top of the sample no more than 200mm from the water spray outlet, and the sample table does not rotate.

   Test Condition: The water flow rate is calculated according to the number of water spray holes in the swing tube, 0.07L/min per hole. During the rainfall, the water spray holes within the 60° arc on both sides of the midpoint of the swing tube spray towards the sample. The tested sample is placed in the center of the semi-circle of the swing tube. The swing tube swings 60° on both sides of the vertical line, a total of 120°. Each swing (2×120°) takes about 4S.

   Test Duration: 5min then rotate 90°, a total of 10min

4. IPX4

   Test Name: Pressurized Swing Tube Rainfall Test

   Sample Placement: Select an appropriate radius of the swing tube so that the height of the sample table is at the diameter position of the swing tube, place the sample on the table, with the top of the sample no more than 200mm from the water spray outlet, and the sample table does not rotate.

   Test Condition: The water flow rate is calculated according to the number of water spray holes in the swing tube, 0.07L/min per hole. During the rainfall, the water spray holes within the 90° arc on both sides of the midpoint of the swing tube spray towards the sample. The tested sample is placed in the center of the semi-circle of the swing tube. The swing tube swings 180° on both sides of the vertical line, a total of 360°. Each swing (2×360°) takes about 12S.

   Test Duration: 5min then rotate 90°, a total of 10min

5. IPX5

   Test Name: Water Spray Test (6.3mm Nozzle Diameter).

   Test Condition: The sample is 2.5m-3.0m away from the nozzle, with a water flow rate of 12.5L/min (750L/H).

   Test Duration: 1min per square meter, at least 3 minutes

6. IPX6

   Test Name: Water Spray Test (12.5mm Nozzle Diameter).

   Test Condition: The sample is 2.5m-3.0m away from the nozzle, with a water flow rate of 100L/min (6000L/H).

   Test Duration: 1min per square meter, at least 3 minutes

7. IPX7

   Test Name: Immersion Test

   Test Condition: The bottom of the sample is 1m away from the water surface, and the top of the sample is 0.15m away from the water surface.

   Test Duration: 30 minutes

How about it, how to choose a waterproof camera now, right? In fact, for other consumer electronics products, we can also refer to this standard when choosing the waterproof capability of products, such as mobile phones, smartwatches, SLR cameras, underwater cameras, etc. Why not test your phone now, haha!