Overview

In modern surveillance applications, cameras are deployed in increasingly harsh and dynamic environments — from railway vehicles and city buses to heavy industrial machinery and defense systems. These scenarios introduce intense and continuous vibrations that can degrade image stability, damage internal components, or shorten product lifespan if the camera is not properly designed for mechanical endurance.

The concept of vibration-proof design is therefore essential for ensuring long-term reliability, operational safety, and compliance with international standards such as EN50155 and E-mark.

The Impact of Vibration on Surveillance Cameras
Continuous or high-amplitude vibration affects surveillance cameras in multiple ways:

• Optical Misalignment: Shaking can cause displacement of lens groups or sensor modules, resulting in blurred or shifted images.
• Connector Fatigue: Repeated oscillations can loosen or damage internal and external cable connectors.
• PCB Stress and Solder Fatigue: Long-term vibration can lead to microcracks in solder joints and mechanical failure in components.
• Noise and Rolling Shutter Effects: Image jitter, rolling artifacts, or unstable autofocus may appear due to excessive vibration coupling.

In mobile surveillance — such as buses, trains, armored vehicles, or forklifts — these risks are amplified by high-frequency engine resonance and uneven terrain movement.

Engineering Principles of Vibration-Proof Design
A vibration-proof surveillance camera must integrate structural, material, and electronic design strategies to ensure stability across the product’s lifecycle. The key principles include:

• Rugged Housing Design: Aluminum alloy or stainless-steel enclosures provide rigidity and resistance to deformation.

• Internal Frame Bracing: Independent internal subframes isolate the optical and PCB assemblies from outer shell vibrations.

• Precision Fastening: Use of thread-locking screws, vibration-resistant washers, and damping pads prevents component loosening.

Relevant International Standards
To ensure safety and interoperability, vibration-proof surveillance cameras must comply with internationally recognized mechanical and environmental standards:

EN50155 (Railway Applications – Electronic Equipment)

• Defines environmental, electrical, and mechanical endurance requirements for onboard railway equipment.
• Specifies vibration (IEC 61373) and shock tests, simulating conditions on locomotives, carriages, and trackside installations.
• Certified EN50155 cameras are approved for use in train, metro, and tram surveillance systems.

E-mark Certification (ECE Regulation)

• Applies to automotive and transportation vehicles, ensuring that electronic devices meet EU automotive safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards.

• A camera with E-mark approval is qualified for installation in buses, trucks, and emergency vehicles, confirming vibration resistance, temperature stability, and electrical safety.

ACTi Offering
ACTi offers a wide range of vibration proof cameras, including coverts, domes, bullets.

Applications

• Railway Transportation
• Public Bus System
• Construction & Mining
• Maritime & Port Operations
• Military & Police Vehicles

Solutions

The vibration proof cameras, such as coverts, bullets and domes do not require any additional accessories to make them vibration proof - they are already fully vibration proof as they are shipped.