The name is misleading. Explosion proof cameras don't necessarily have to be used in explosive environments, but they are built to survive a blast. Which can be useful in any number of workplaces containing propane, hydrogen, methane, or another type of flammable gas or dust. That might include chemical operating plants, sewage treatment, coal mines, and so forth.
Choosing an Explosion Proof IP Network Camera
Additionally, these cameras were made to prevent the ignition of gasses and dust in their environment. In hazard zones, one spark can cause serious problems. Similarly, some environments require cameras to endure heavy corrosion, or to resist chemical reactions to make them suitable for submerging into fluids. But finding the right camera is actually quite simple, provided you know precisely what your intended use case happens to be.
Operating Environment
Do you need corrosion resistance? Are you dunking the camera inside a fluid tank? Depending on the kind of environment you’re using you may need higher levels of waterproofing. Due to the durable nature of this equipment, you’ll typically find that virtually all explosion proof cameras are partially or fully water resistant. Their level of resistance is typically related to their durability.
General Ruggedness
Explosion proof means different things, to different people, at different times. That’s why you need to know about the kind of force which the camera may be subjected to. Some cameras are built sturdier than others. Only the best equipment is typically rated or certified. Class I Division 1 equipment is about as sturdy as you can make a camera without getting the military involved. If you’re not working around something like explosive ordinance, it’s unlikely you’re going to need specific certifications.
Vision in the Dark
It doesn’t matter if it’s an explosion proof camera or a security camera, vision in the dark is a pretty critical feature for most of these types of use cases. Anytime you’re using the camera in an area with limited natural light, you’ll want to think about the kind of night vision support the camera can offer.
In most cases, it will be IR technology with a maximum range of about 30-feet. Occasionally, that IR is expanded out towards 100ft or more. For people who anticipate their shots will mostly be dark, there are superior alternatives to IR out there, but IR tends to be the most common choice.
Camera Performance
Unless you’re shooting at extremely high frame rates, or you’re shooting in UHD, camera technology isn’t something you’ll have to think about too much. For most people in most circumstances, a standard 1080p camera provides all the detail you need for practical viewing purposes. Even 20 years from now, it seems likely that most security camera footage, dash cam footage, and similar types of recording will still use 1080p resolution.
Still, you’ll want to think about the viewing angle of the camera and its support for various frame rates. A wider viewing angle is typically preferable for this type of camera, especially if you don’t know precisely where to point the device. Frame rates aren’t as critical for most use cases, but it’s always nice to have options.
