Three new explosion-protected network cameras are now available to the South African market. The cameras have been designed for industrial environments and are aimed at protecting the safety of employees and of business operations.  

The cameras can be installed in hazardous industrial environments, which may be difficult to monitor due to environmental conditions that can affect the quality of images and longevity of surveillance cameras.

Envronments such as mines, manufacturing plants and industrial factories require security for internal and external risks. The cameras aim to protect operations while also reducing health, safety and environmental risks.

The cameras are able to withstand temperatures from -60 °C to 60 °C and are made from robust materials, with a lightweight finish.  They can be installed on high towers or buildings and can be integrated into existing security systems.

Built-in lightfinder and forensic wide dynamic range (WDR) technologies aim to provide perfect  balance in scenes with strong variations in light. Each camera has intelligent analytic capabilities, enabling users to gather data to assist in improving security operations and resource allocation.

When a sensor is triggered, the fixed box cameras allow operators to visually verify safety information from the system or to monitor the operational environment, to assess the safety of personnel. 

Axis Communications ExCam XF cameras are ATEX, IECEx, and EAC Ex, Zone 1, 2, 21, 22, IIC, IIIC certified.

The range of explosion-protected network cameras include the following:

• ExCam XF P1367 features an i-CS lens that allows the camera to automatically set its focus, and remotely adjust the field of view. It delivers five megapixel resolution at 25/30 frames per second (fps) in H.264. It is used to detect unauthorised individuals, monitor employee safety in hazardous areas, monitor production efficiency and verify information from sensor systems.

• ExCam XF Q1645 is engineered for light sensitivity and delivers high-definition television (HDTV) 1080 pixels (p) resolution at 100/120 fps (with WDR disabled). It also supports electronic image stabilisation (EIS) to improve video quality where the camera is subject to vibrations. In addition, it has an i-CS lens to automatically set its focus, and adjust the field of view remotely. It gives operators real-time information about the status of industry processes, such as monitoring temperature gauges, sensors and valves.

• ExCam XF Q1785 is designed for 24/7 long-range surveillance of vital operations, such as conveyor belts. It has a 32x optical zoom, combined with HDTV 1080p resolution at 50/60 fps (with WDR disabled), which provides zoomed-in views of people and objects of interest. It also provides high resolution footage even under extreme lighting conditions, has barrel distortion correction for improved image quality, and supports EIS, to improve video quality where the camera is subject to vibrations.