It’s important to have a security system in place for every industry, but not every industry has the same working conditions. Some industries work with volatile gases and chemicals that could react negatively with nearby electronics and trigger an explosion at anytime. But these industries still need monitoring so what could be the solution? The answer to this problem is explosion-proof cameras.
What are Explosion-Proof Cameras?
Just by looking at the name, you would think that explosion-proof cameras are a type of security camera that are meant to survive explosions. Although these cameras do tend to be more durable than the typical security camera, their purpose is to actually not cause explosions.
What makes these cameras explosion-proof are the special enclosures that surround them. In a normal environment, one small spark would be harmless. However, hazardous environments may have volatile dust and other gaseous products present so one spark could set off an explosion. The enclosures are designed to contain the explosion within the enclosure or to prevent any sparks from coming out and potentially igniting one.
There are two ways for explosion-proof cameras to prevent explosions. First, the enclosure could be strong enough to contain an internal explosion and prevent it from getting out. The other way is that the enclosure has pressurized inert gases (nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, etc.) inside that stop dust and gases from entering so that an explosion won’t occur, even if there is a spark from the camera.
Explosion-proof enclosures are stainless steel and can be made of either Grade 304 or Grade 316 stainless steel. 304 is popular for its durability and resistance to corrosion, but environments with acidic material, industrial solvents, or highly concentrated saline would need to use 316. Using 316 costs more, but this type of stainless steel is more durable and can withstand very harsh environments.
Since these cameras are designed for hazardous environments, it’s not easy to manufacture them. The cameras need to go under rigorous testing and meet the standards set by IECex or ATEX. ATEX is an European Union directive that protects workers in explosive environments.
Who Needs Them?
Any industry that works with hazardous or flammable materials would need to use explosion-proof cameras. The gas & oil industries are the most common example. These industries have set standards that they need to meet regarding security in order to protect against terrorists, but the chemicals that they handle are unstable. Explosion-proof cameras are necessary for facility monitoring without the risk of triggering an explosion.
Additionally, a lot of these industries use explosion-proof cameras to keep watch over their operations from a safe distance. For example, facilities may need to keep track of the level of toxic gas, but sending an employee to check means potentially exposing them to toxic fumes or an explosion. Installing explosion-proof cameras in dangerous areas lets the employees to check up on operations but without any risks.
Other industries that benefit from using explosion-proof cameras include automotive and aerospace manufacturers, pharmaceutical and food plants, marine and mining industries, and many more.
Explosion-Proof Options From 2M
At 2M, we carry an extensive line of explosion-proof camera, enclosures, and accessories. We understand that special environments will have different requirements so we offer three buying methods to ensure you get exactly what you need.
- Option 1: The first option allows you to select an explosion-proof enclosure that comes with a camera. This makes buying a security system easy because everything you need comes included so you don’t need to deal with the hassle of choosing a separate camera and a separate housing.
- Option 2: If you already have a specific camera in mind that you want to use, this option is for you. With the second option, you can just choose the explosion-proof enclosure for your camera. Our housings are designed to fit any type and brand of cameras so you don’t have to settle for using a camera you don’t want.
- Option 3: This option allows you to fully customize an explosion-proof security system. All you have to do is send us a rough draft of what you need and our engineers will design and manufacture an ATEX-certified system that meets all of your needs.