Security Camera IR Illuminators Make the Night Shine

The use of security camera IR illuminators, or infrared, provides light for CCTV without disturbing the natural lighting, or better yet, the lack of lighting. IR works best with low-light or no-light, because it uses reflected body temperature to illuminate. There are three physical aspects of IR that must be understood to best utilize security camera IR illuminators, those are the inverse-square law, light wavelengths, and, of course, light transmission through the lens. Here, we will attempt to explain each as it applies to IR technology and making the night shine for your security camera.

The Inverse-Square Law as Applied to Security Camera IR Illuminators

In physics, the inverse-square law states, a specified physical intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source of that physical intensity. OK, so think about a star in the sky on a dark night. Its luminosity, or brightness, is dependent on the distance from your eye; the closer it is to earth, the brighter it shines. The same is true for any light, although IR works at a greater distance than natural, or white light. Realistically, IR is best for security cameras because if you use white light in your business or backyard, the neighbors will likely complain about light pollution. Additionally, it would cause traffic accidents, as drivers coming toward that light would be blinded. IR also provides the business owner with information on the point of entry, because intruders will not realize they are being filmed.

Light Wavelengths and Your Security Camera

Light as energy takes the form of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation is measured in nanometers (nm), which is a billion meters. All light is energy and can be measured in nm, or wavelength; frequency equals the speed of light divided by wavelength. All electromagnetic radiation has the same transmission properties, but each reacts differently to matter. In practical terms relating to security cameras, IR operates in the range 700 to 900 nm, which is low-light to no-light.

Light Transmission Through Your Lens

The relevance of chip materials is significant in CCTV, in that silicon and germanium sensors react quite differently in their responses to infrared or visible light. Silicon covers the visible spectrum and germanium works better with infrared or invisible (to the naked eye, not the camera) light. This is the photopic curve, and how security camera IR illuminators make the night shine.

Purchase Security Camera IR Illuminators from Iluminar Inc.

Iluminar, Inc., provides the best choice in available IR illuminators for your security cameras. We are lighting the world for you; we are Iluminar INC.
Visit Iluminar INC or email sales@iluminarinc.com for answers to your questions pertaining to security camera IR illuminators.

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