Posted by Arowosegbe Olawale in General

Choosing the right camera housings and mounts is an integral part of designing and putting in place a reliable CCTV system. The design and procurement stages of a CCTV installation project are where the requirements for the operational system are developed, and these requirements have a direct impact on the choices made when selecting CCTV housing and mounting hardware. Housing and mounting hardware for any given application are chosen according to the following factors:

• Operating temperatures and weather conditions like humidity and corrosion are examples of environmental conditions.
• Architectural factors, which play a role in the hardware's visual appeal and can alter the building's design or impact its market value; and
• Matching the installed materials to the system's intended use and planned maintenance is a key part of the installation process and requires careful attention to detail. 

The following is a brief summary of the available hardware and mounting configurations, which can be used in conjunction with the system specifications.

3.3.1 Camera Housing

To keep them safe from things like vandalism and extreme weather, fixed or PTZ cameras may need specialized housings or enclosures. The camera housings should be a good match for the hardware being used. The enclosure must look good with the CCTV system's aesthetic and not get in the way of the field of view (FOV) that was planned. The camera's housing's materials and design may be determined by the system's requirements, such as its susceptibility to elements, tampering, and direct attacks. Listed here are enclosures that are suitable for use in specialized settings.

Dome Enclosures - Both indoor and outdoor domes are enclosures that protect CCTV equipment, most commonly PTZ cameras, from the elements and allow for covert video surveillance by masking the camera's line of sight. Hardened domes can be equipped with heating and cooling systems and be designed to withstand vandalism. To lessen the effects of wind and reduce vibration, they are typically round in shape. There is a wide range of design and set-up options to choose from. The optical dome needs to be sturdy enough to withstand the sun's rays and the cold of the dome's interior without becoming brittle or cloudy. Incompatible with outdoor photography are materials that gradually become less see-through when exposed to sunlight.

Sealed Housings - Cameras that need to be installed in a potentially explosive atmosphere or in a hostile environment can be outfitted with special housings that keep out dust, moisture, and other contaminants. Cameras with pressurized or otherwise watertight housings are available for use in such conditions. As the name implies, gaskets are used in a sealed housing to keep out dirt and debris from the outside world. Chemically inert nitrogen gas is used to replace the air inside pressurized housings.

Impact-Resistant Housings – Impact-resistant, or anti-vandal, housings are often used in high crime areas or as components of military sensor systems. Impact-resistant camera housing bodies are typically heavy-gauge steel, and the optical surfaces are thick acrylic or polycarbonate plastic. Some versions have a wire cage over the acrylic dome to provide greater protection. Observation is not hindered because the minimum focusing distance is several feet outside the wire cage.

Tamper-Resistant Housings - Hardened protective housings, tamper-resistant housings are similar to impact-resistant housings but also prevent vandalism with tools. Lockable and built to withstand attacks like cutting, hammering, and prying, tamper-resistant enclosures are a must.

Bullet-Resistant Housings - Housings designed to withstand the impact of a bullet are called bulletproof. At least one substantial layer of polycarbonate makes up the window's construction.

3.3.2 Housing Features

A camera housing's many safeguards are designed to keep a CCTV camera running smoothly and reliably for a long time. We'll go over a few of them below.

Sun protection filters High temperatures can shorten the lifespan of a camera. A sunshield can be used to block the sun's rays from entering a camera's housing, thereby lowering the temperature at which the camera's sensor and lens operate.

Some camera housings use windshield-style wipers to keep the camera's optical window clean. In contrast, some specialists question wipers' usefulness and advocate instead for a periodic waxing of the optical window. Erosion of the optical surface due to debris is a risk when using a wiper. The necessity of routine upkeep is further increased by the presence of wipers. Keep the washer fluid tank full and swap out the rubber wiper blades on schedule. To protect the housing's optical surface, some systems employ a thin, long-lasting film. A clean optical path is created by advancing the film from a cartridge.

Temperature gradients between the inside and outside of the camera housing can lead to condensation, icing, and fogging if proper heating and ventilation are not provided. For this reason, some camera housings may call for supplementary components or features to guarantee proper operation in harsh environments. Cameras are often used to address environmental concerns, and the use of heaters and ventilators is a common solution; however, the need for additional electrical power increases operational costs. Problems with camera housings that are heated or ventilated can be avoided with regular cleaning and maintenance.

3.3.3 Indoor Camera Mounts

CCTV mounting hardware and support equipment come in a wide variety, allowing a security professional to match equipment capabilities to the specific demands of the system. If requirements become more specific, it could limit the hardware options available.

Each situation in which you plan to install a camera on a wall or ceiling may call for specialized mounting hardware. Cameras can be mounted in a variety of ways, with some being better suited to certain tasks than others. A lipstick camera is a common form of covert surveillance that can be hidden in everyday items like toys, clocks, and lights. Instead, a fake camera, also known as a "drone" or "dummy," is placed in an obvious location to deter criminals.

Wall Mounts - Cameras can be mounted on the wall using a bracket much like the one holding up a shelf. The angle of view or the direction in which the camera is aimed can usually be changed using this mount.

Pendant Mounts - Cameras and other equipment can be suspended from the ceiling using pendant mounts.

Corner Mounts - Mounting a camera at a corner, where two walls meet at 90 degrees, requires a corner mount. Inner and outer corner mounts are both available. In order to get the most out of your field of view (FOV), corner mounts are typically installed low on the ceiling.

Indoor Dome Camera Mounts - Mounting a dome camera indoors can be a good choice for attracting attention. Domes can be installed either flush to the ceiling or partially recessed into the ceiling. A dome unit can also support a pan-tilt-zoom camera or several stationary cameras. Last but not least, dome units require careful positioning and installation to prevent vibrations from air conditioning and other electromechanical devices.

3.3.4 Outdoor Camera Mounts

There is a wide selection of mounting and enclosure options for CCTV cameras that can shield them from the elements and provide stable support. Outdoor installations often use the same mounting configurations as their indoor counterparts. For the sake of continuity with the existing exterior trim elements, it is not uncommon for custom mounting hardware to be required. The camera and housing's mass must be supported by the mount or bracket. Avoid using plastic camera fixtures outside, as they will fade and crack in the sun. Moreover, knobs or adjustable arms on the brackets should be considered for easy repositioning. This will allow for a greater degree of control over the camera's FOV. This section explains how to install either of two outdoor brackets.

Pole Mounts - Cameras can have a clear field of view with the help of pole mounts, which allow for increased height. When mounting a camera to a pole, stability is often compromised in order to achieve greater height. As the height of the camera rises, the effect of wind on the mount could become more pronounced. Strong, stable poles made of galvanized metal are recommended. The spring clamps used to secure pole mounts to various poles are typically made of stainless steel. The camera should be installed at a height sufficient to deter vandalism while still providing the desired field of view.

Corner Mounts - Mounts for Corners Corner mounts are useful for both stationary and pan-tilt-zoom cameras, but they are especially useful for the latter because of the wide field of view they provide as the camera pans. Mounts on or near the top of a building should be especially wary of vibration from nearby air conditioning or other sources. Camera corner mounting brackets must be code compliant in addition to being sturdy and supportive.