How do CCTV cameras work at night?

If you’re looking to protect your home or business at night, then a CCTV system can help provide you with peace of mind. Although some ordinary cameras cannot see in the dark, night vision CCTV cameras can. In this post, we will take a look at how they work.

How Do CCTV Cameras Work at Night?

In order to see at night, most CCTV cameras use infrared (IR) technology. If you look at CCTV cameras with night vision capability, you’ll notice that they are surrounded by a number of small LEDs. These emit infrared light at night, which allows the camera to see even in total darkness.

Infrared light is invisible to the human eye, which is why burglars cannot see that the CCTV camera is activated. This is because infrared light has a longer wavelength and a lower frequency than visible light. Overall, this means that even though your camera is emitting light so it can create a clear picture, the outside of your property will remain in complete darkness.

Are Night Vision CCTV Cameras Black and White?

Most CCTV cameras do operate in black and white during the night, and many security cameras adopt a monochrome filter during hours of darkness. They operate in colour during the day, but switch to the monochrome filter when the light level drops.

In addition to this, depending on the exact model of camera you select, some cameras have an ‘IR Cut Filter’. When these cameras detect daylight, they apply the filter to block out IR light, which keeps colours accurate. The filter is then automatically removed at night.

Not only can infrared cameras see in conditions of total darkness, but they can also travel through smoke, dust and fog, capturing a clear image. Plus, installing them could be cheaper than you imagined.

How Do I Know How Well the Camera Will See at Night?

One of the main ways you can tell how well your CCTV camera will be able to see in the dark is by checking its lux figure. In layman’s terms, the lux figure indicates the amount of light the camera requires to provide a good quality picture. The lower the lux figure, the lower the amount of light the camera requires.

True night vision infrared cameras will be able to see in total darkness, which means you will often see a lux figure of 0.0 quoted for an infrared security camera.

In addition to checking the lux figure, you should also check how many LEDs the camera has built in. The more LEDs the camera contains, the further the camera will be able to see. However, remember that you may not necessarily want to focus on long range surveillance, particularly if you’re monitoring an area close to your house, such as a porch or garage.

If you’re looking to protect your home at night, then infrared CCTV cameras are a great option. If you’re considering having CCTV cameras installed at your property, then give us a call on 1300 773 633 for a free security assessment and quote.