Infra Red Lighting / Illuminators

Infra Red Lighting and Illuminators - solving the lighting problem for the overnight operation of your CCTV systems

CCTV cameras need light to operate. Some specialist day / night cameras, or those with inbuilt Infra-Red (IR) illuminators provide acceptable night time images, however more conventional CCTV cameras cease to provide useful images as darkness falls. 

Conventional lighting (i.e. street lights or indoor lighting) may supply the answer, however Infra Red Lights can offer a practical alternative. And remember, now that the "Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 is law, conventional lights that cause a nuisance to neighbours, motorists, etc. are illegal and could result in the owner being fined up to £20,000 (£5,000 for domestic users)!  

What is the alternative?

Infra-Red (IR) lighting is invisible to the human eye, except for the dull red glow evident when looking directly into some IR light sources. IR light does not reflect in a way that we can see, off objects that it falls on, thus it can offer a practical form of illumination where conventional lighting would be unacceptable or where the operator does not want to draw attention to the overnight CCTV operation, etc. 

Types of Infra-Red Lighting

Historically IR lighting has been delivered using specialist IR bulbs in specialist housings. Although expensive, this type of unit is still currently the only type of IR lighting suitable for longer range applications. Over recent years however, new IR 'LED' technology has lead to the availability of low cost IR Illuminators which feature a bank of IR LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) in weatherproof housings that offer practical IR lighting with operating ranges of up to about 30 metres or so.

... and some possible issues ...

IR cannot normally be used effectively where the IR light beam has to pass through glass (i.e. a window pane), as the light will be reflected back. It is also important to select a unit with the appropriate illumination range. If the subject is beyond the effective range of the Infra Red illuminators, at best the camera will only capture a poor quality image ...on the other hand, use of a powerful IR illuminator will burn out image detail when the subject is too close to the IR lamp.

Not all CCTV cameras will work with IR lighting. To work effectively with IR illumination, a camera must incorporate a special IR filter feature.

Infra Red Illuminators

Prod Ref  VL IR-12

This compact sealed unit (pictured with a 20p coin in the foreground) is weatherproof and suitable for indoor or outdoor use

The 12v IR lamp requires a  500mA power supply and provides night time vision for up to 5 metres x 35 degree spread.

Prod Ref  VL IR-300

This compact sealed unit is weatherproof and suitable for indoor or outdoor use.
Approx. dimensions:
H-95 x W-85 x L-105mm

The 12v High Efficiency IR lamp requires a 500mA power supply and provides night time vision for up to 25 metres x 35 degree spread.

Please call us if you have specialist requirements not covered by the above units

 see also our      Infra-Red Equipped Camera Range

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