"I Can See You!" -- Infrared Security Cameras

By: Jennifer Metcalfe

You can learn a lot from those TV nature documentaries. I have - about human vision, for example. I have learned that as human beings we are completely unable to see anything in the ultraviolet or infrared range. In order to see with the naked eye, some amount of regular daylight is needed, unlike some other species.

But the good news is that we human beings have access to technology that allows us to make up for our own natural limitations. And a good example of this type of technology are infrared security cameras. Infrared security cameras, unlike our own eyes, can detect images in the environment using light in the infrared wavelength spectrum.

This means that infrared cameras are very useful in security monitoring situations. Areas that we would say are in total darkness (a Lux 0.0 condition) are visible through an infrared security camera. Businesses and industries, banks and warehouses have been monitored with infrared security cameras for many years. They have proven to be an effective crime-deterrent.

In the home, we can use infrared security cameras as well: perhaps in the downstairs living room, or a darkened external garage area or long driveway outdoors. They are ideal tools to detect the presence of all sorts of intruders -- even stray animals such as deer, stray dogs and even rodents.

The really nifty thing about infrared security cameras is that they can be located in the darkest of environments, yet still provide a camera image. And this is certainly bad news for the professional thief, who typically seeks out darkened rooms and homes for a break-in. They assume that the darkness will make it impossible for them to be detected. But infrared security cameras will catch them every time!

Make sure that any infrared security camera that you purchase has an 'auto-scan' function. When a camera is set to auto-scan, it will move back-and-forth, covering the same area repeatedly. So you can set up several of these cameras to monitor a specific area continuously. In this way long and large areas, such as hallways, driveways and entrance lobbies can be monitored effectively.

One interesting thing about infrared security cameras is that they do not depend on light from the sun or moon for illumination; instead they generate their own light - and they do it in one of two ways. Some infrared cameras shine a beam of concentrated light out, just like a flashlight - except that since it is infrared light, you won't see it. Other models rely on a separate, detached light emitter. When it is turned on, the emitter shines a light into the area, which the camera unit uses to capture images.

Now don't confuse infrared security cameras with 'low light' cameras. These low light types simply have the capability to function with very little daylight - but they do need some daylight, even if it's very small amounts of it. One weakness of infrared security cameras is that they cannot illuminate a large area - they function best when you set them up to monitor a small place. If you need to monitor a large area - like a large building lobby - then you will need to install several of them, each covering a small section. Finally, some models incorporate a dual-function feature, which allows them to switch from a regular camera to an infrared camera when the lighting conditions are bad.

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About the author: Jennifer Metcalfe discusses home security, video surveillance and home security issues Read more abouthome security camera systems by stopping by his site.
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