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Larson Electronics Releases New Explosion-proof Network IP Camera for Hazardous Industrial Environments

January 03, 2020 by Kate Smith

Larson Electronics has released a new camera designed to put eyes into hazardous environments where humans don't belong.

This week, Larson Electronics released a new network IP camera for industrial applications. The camera, known as the HAL-CMR-CRNM-IP-POE-4MP-IR, is designed to allow engineers to monitor and inspect processes in hazardous environments that could be dangerous for human workers. These environments could be hazardous by nature of their radiation or particulates or by nature of being inside of reactors and tanks.

 

The HAL-CMR-CRNM-IP-POE-4MP-IR. Image used courtesy of Larson Electronics

 

Larson Electronics is known for its industrial lighting and power distribution solutions. They offer products specialized for automotive, oil and gas, food processing, manufacturing, etc. with an emphasis on explosion-proof and ruggedized specifications. 

This new camera joins a roster of explosion-proof cameras, some of which are intended for security (with pan and tilt capabilities) and some of which are specialized for cannabis extraction applications.

 

Camera Specs

The HAL-CMR-CRNM-IP-POE-4MP-IR must be wired via an RJ45 Ethernet cable. This cable is also the source of the camera’s power via PoE (power over ethernet). Use of the camera requires a DVR (digital video recorder) system positioned away from the hazardous environment.

The camera, itself, utilizes a progressive-scan CMOS image sensor. Progressive scan means that the sensor goes line-by-line to process an image, as compared to interlaced scanning, which requires two simultaneous scans which are stitched together to form the full image.

The camera also has an IR LED array that allows for low-light infrared image capture.

Other important features include:

  • Image sensor size: 1/3"
  • Field of view: 83 degrees
  • Night and low-light visibility: 45 feet
  • Resolution: 4.0MP
  • Frames per second: 20
  • Image processing:
    • 120dB wide dynamic range
    • 3D digital noise reduction

It's also important to note that this is a network IP camera. Most such cameras use Cat 5e or Cat 6 cables. These generally offer higher resolution images when compared to CCTV cameras, which utilize coax cables. 

 

Designed for Hazardous Environments

According to Larson, their new camera is "rated for use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C and D hazardous locations." A simplified breakdown of this terminology is as follows:

  • Class I: Denotes an environment with possible flammable vapors, gases, or liquids
  • Class I, Division 2: Denotes an environment in which (or one near an environment in which) the handling of flammable of ignitable gas/vapor/liquid substances is accompanied by safety systems such as ventilation, closed systems, or containers. This means that the dangers of these environments should become immediate in the case of the safety systems being breached or disabled
  • Group A: Denotes the presence of acetylene
  • Group B: Denotes the presence of hydrogen, butadiene, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or acrolien
  • Group C: Denotes the presence of ether (e.g., ethylene)
  • Group D: Denotes the presence of fuels, solvents, and/or hydrocarbons (e.g., propane, acetone, ammonia, gasoline, butane, natural gas, methane)

Additionally, the camera is also ignition-proof, dust-proof, weatherproof, and tamper-resistant. This robustness is demonstrated in its ambient temperature range, which is between -22°F and 140°F. 

The device is also classified as “explosion-proof"—an NEC (National Electric Code)-specific term which denotes a level of safety assurance. Despite what may spring to mind when the term is used, "explosion-proof" does not entail the ability to survive an explosion occurring around the equipment. Rather, the term means that an explosion that occurs within the housing of the device, including simple sparks, will be contained within said housing. This is crucial for environments in which hazardous materials may be flammable or even prone to explosion, themselves.

 


 

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