Infrared light is visible as red or violet, which is translated by electromagnetic waves. Some waves are very short, and others are longer, similar to microwaves. When it comes to surveillance, there is no better way to do this than by using infrared security cameras.

There’s is a lot of technical information available but for the layman it would suffice to share only the information needed to source the correct system.

Infrared radiation can be incorporated and seen with particular equipment, which will allow us to view objects either totally in the dark or at regular conditions.

Another point to help us understand IR cameras, is the illuminators are only on when light levels fall to a predetermined level. Also the light projected is not visible like a floodlight or flashlight, it is only visible to the cameras B/W sensor. However when viewed on a monitor even in a completely darkened room you will see a B/W image of everything that is there within the cameras range.

A really good camera must be able to see everything in it’s range, especially at night when there is little ambient light available. Some less expensive cameras with infrared will be bright in the center of the picture but the periphery or outer boundaries will be dark. A good camera should be able to provide infrared lighting to match the angle of the lens.

One thing you should make sure of is, can your IR camera see everything in its range? This is true especially for night surveillance or when an area is completely in the dark. Some inexpensive cameras that use infrared illuminators light up the center of the picture but the outer edges will be much less bright or even dark. A good IR camera will have lighting to match the viewing angle of the lens.

Many regular surveillance cameras if they are capable of B/W images are transformed into infrared cameras as well, with the use of illuminators installed separately. Your camera when attached to a DVR can then detect motion in complete darkness, with the use of its infrared radiation, which is undetectable with the naked eye. Remember that while the normal day and night camera does records in low light, it is impossible to record in zero light as it does not utilize infrared technology.

IR cameras nowadays are manufactured in all shapes, types and sizes. There are sizes in the market which can start from as small as a couple of inches or as large as paint cans. If you require a very large area to be under surveillance then there are cameras that come in block sizes, so that they can hold more IR emitters, which equates into more infrared light.

If you are considering a closed circuit television security system you need to also consider the option of installing an infrared camera as well which will give you optimal coverage at night, when it’s needed the most.

Some years back it was cumbersome to have these cameras installed because of their bulkiness. Today they are lightweight, easy to install and much more durable than a few years back.

Lastly, when comparing different sizes, shapes and functionality, take time to get a supplier who will understand your exact needs. If you only want to have an entrance of a door monitored there is no need to purchase a large infrared security camera that can see 100 feet, when you only need a small camera with 12 to 20 LEDs to monitor one entrance.

About the Author: Mike Ward can help you find the right security camera solution at Protection Depot, a leading online provider of infrared security cameras and digital video recorders. For more information about infrared security cameras, please visit Protection Depot.

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