Why does an infrared waterproof camera appear to flicker? As previously mentioned, when the ambient light falls below a certain threshold, the infrared (IR) LED turns on. When the light level rises above that threshold, the IR LED turns off. Now consider a situation where the ambient light is just slightly below the threshold. The photosensitive element detects this and triggers the IR LED to turn on, emitting infrared light. Once the IR light is emitted, the total detected illumination—combining both visible and reflected IR light—may exceed the threshold, causing the IR LED to turn off again. This leads to a drop in detected light, which then causes the IR LED to turn back on. This cycle continues, resulting in image flickering.
This kind of behavior isn't normal or acceptable; it's not a sign of good product quality. It can lead to several issues:
First, frequent switching of the IR LED shortens its lifespan and reduces the overall service life of the camera.
Second, if the camera can still capture color images, turning on the IR LED unnecessarily may degrade image quality.
Third, the appearance of "infrared eyes" on color images—where bright spots appear due to IR reflection—is generally undesirable and unwanted by users.
If the threshold is set too low, the IR LED might not activate quickly enough when additional lighting is needed. Most standard infrared waterproof cameras use a photosensor to detect ambient light levels and control the IR LED based on a pre-set threshold. The threshold value varies depending on the environment, user preferences, and design considerations. Manufacturers often set thresholds at different levels, such as 20, 10, or 5 Lux. A higher threshold means the IR LED turns on earlier, possibly even before the camera switches from color to black and white mode. This can cause three main problems.
So, how can this issue be resolved?
When the ambient light is slightly below the threshold, there are two possible scenarios:
1. In some cases, especially during evening hours for a short period, the flickering occurs briefly. If cost is a concern, the best approach is to inform the user about the reason and accept it as a minor inconvenience.
2. If the lighting conditions are stable and the flickering persists, the following solutions can be considered:
- Adjust the threshold: Different models may have varying thresholds. Replacing the camera with one that has a higher threshold can reduce flickering.
- Modify the environment: Slight changes in the installation angle of the camera can significantly affect the light intensity detected by the sensor, helping to avoid the threshold zone and eliminate flicker.
- Use high-quality low-light cameras with backlight compensation and anti-glare features, especially those equipped with specialized IR lenses.
- Be aware that nearby objects reflecting IR light can also cause flickering. For example, during testing or demonstrations, if an object is placed too close to the camera, it may reflect IR light back to the sensor, causing instability. This is not an issue under normal installation conditions, but care should be taken to avoid directing strong IR light from very close distances back to the sensor.
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