Resumen

In physical security, outdoor and public-facing surveillance cameras are vulnerable not only to environmental hazards but also to deliberate acts of vandalism. To ensure reliable performance, manufacturers design enclosures that resist impact, tampering, and destruction attempts. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) provides a standardized rating system—IK ratings—to define levels of impact resistance. This document explains IKxx ratings, the engineering approaches behind vandal-proof cameras, and best practices for deploying them in high-risk environments.

Introduction
Surveillance cameras are often installed in high-traffic or unsupervised environments such as:

• Public transportation hubs (bus stations, subways, airports)
• Education campuses and government facilities
• Parking garages and city streets
• Prisons, industrial sites, and retail spaces

In these settings, cameras may face threats such as:

• Physical strikes with blunt objects (sticks, stones, tools)
• Attempts to cover or disable the lens
• Tampering with mounts and housings
• Repeated impacts from accidental collisions (e.g., forklifts, balls, carts)

Vandal-proofness directly influences system reliability, reduces downtime, and lowers maintenance and replacement costs.

Understanding IK Ratings
The IK code (IEC 62262 / EN 62262) is an international standard that classifies the level of protection an enclosure provides against mechanical impact. Unlike IP ratings, which measure dust and water ingress, IK ratings measure resistance to physical force.

The IK rating is expressed as IKxx, where “xx” is a number corresponding to a level of energy (measured in joules) the enclosure can withstand.

Rating / Impact Energy / Equivalent IK00: 0J (No protection) IK01: 0.15J (200 g dropped from 7.5 cm) IK02: 0.20J (200 g dropped from 10 cm) IK03: 0.35J (200 g dropped from 17.5 cm) IK04: 0.50J (200 g dropped from 25 cm) IK05: 0.70J (200 g dropped from 35 cm) IK06: 1.00J (500 g dropped from 20 cm) IK07: 2.00J (500 g dropped from 40 cm) IK08: 5.00J (1.7 kg dropped from 29.5 cm) IK09: 10.00J (5 kg dropped from 20 cm) IK10: 20.00J (5 kg dropped from 40 cm)

Common Ratings in Surveillance Cameras IK08: Offers resistance to moderate vandalism attempts, suitable for semi-public environments.

IK09: Protects against stronger blows and kicks, often used in public transport and outdoor city surveillance.

IK10: Maximum standard protection—resists high-energy impacts. Considered the benchmark for vandal-proof cameras.

Most of ACTi's vandal proof cameras are IK10 rated, which is the highest possible rating, in order to provide the best possible protection.

Practical Recommendations for End Users

• Public areas (subways, schools, parking lots) → At least IK09
• High-risk zones (prisons, stadiums, city centers) → IK10
• Industrial environments with accidental collisions → IK10, preferably combined with waterproof IP66/67 ratings
• Always consider combined IP and IK ratings for outdoor installations (e.g., IP66/IK10 cameras).

Benefits of Vandal-Proof Cameras

• Operational Continuity: Cameras stay online despite attacks or accidents.
• Lower Maintenance Costs: Reduced frequency of replacements and repairs.
• Enhanced Security Assurance: Provides reliable evidence even in hostile environments.
• Higher ROI: Extended lifespan reduces total cost of ownership.

Conclusion Vandal-proofness is as important as weatherproofing in ensuring long-term camera reliability. By understanding the IKxx rating system, security managers and system integrators can select appropriate solutions for environments exposed to vandalism or impact risks. Cameras with high IK ratings (IK09–IK10) deliver the resilience needed for continuous, trustworthy surveillance in the most challenging settings.

Aplicaciones

• Public transportation hubs (bus stations, subways, airports)
• Education campuses and government facilities
• Parking garages and city streets
• Prisons, industrial sites, and retail spaces

Soluciones

The vandal proof cameras, such as bullets, domes, PTZ and multi-imager cameras do not require any additional accessories to make them vandal proof- they are at least IK08 rated by their original design already.