Clarius white light illuminator Archives

Are you a factory manager? Then read this. Clarius Illuminators for all your lighting needs

We recently visited a site that had just had over 100 of their cameras either upgraded to HD or their existing cameras linked into an Avigilon software platform. The upgrade was designed to and sold to allow them better image quality both day and night. This is where the problems began because there was no doubt that the daytime images had been improved beyond all expectation. The HD cameras provided amazing clarity and crystal clear pictures, there is a but though, these pictures were only of any use during the day.

At night the decline in the image quality was remarkable, although the cameras were dual chip and had adaptive IR, the pictures just did not live up to the customers expectations. Dark, blurred and grainy would be the best description and it seemed to be in areas where light was clearly present.

The issue of course is where before the customers analogue cameras would work to a much lower LUX level his perception of the new images was that they were not good and rightly so.

The solution was simple and cost effective. His maintenance department was in the the process of replacing some of the older sodium and Halogen lighting and having been recommended Clarius white light illuminators as a way of providing good working lighting for their employees they decided to take this route across the factory. This lighting on our recommendation was also added into the areas where the camera pictures had deteriorated.

The results were stunning not only did the pictures improve dramatically but they remained in colour. This was something that had always been important to the customer and he was delighted with the results.

The best part though is the Clarius illuminators were very easy to install. Available in 12volt, 24v or POE using existing mains supplies and powering the PSU locally to the light or just picking up from a local IP switch makes installation quick and efficient. A built in PEC means they only operate when needed reducing power consumption even further.

The ongoing cost of lighting has been reduced dramatically and the Clarius illuminators will need little or no maintenance over the next 10 years or so. No more cherry pickers and wasted days changing bulbs.

So if you are a company who is considering lighting upgrades either for security reasons or you just have a programme to replace old halogen lighting then look no further than the Clarius illuminators.

Benchmark test the Clarius IR illuminator

Benchmark are known as the best in the business when it comes to testing and reporting on CCTV and related products. Recently they tested the Claruis IR illuminator and we have re-posted their findings. Honest and to the point. It does however prove what robust products are produced within the Clarius range. Please read through the findings and order your HD CCTV lighting here at HD CCTV solutions.

“PROFESSIONAL TEST: CLARIUS IL-8100

Many years ago, infrared lighting for surveillance was the exclusive preserve of high risk sites. However, changes in manufacturing have resulted in costs falling, as well as maintenance needs being reduced. The result is cost-effective illumination for virtually all applications. The latest option is the Clarius range.

One of the most significant developments for video surveillance in recent years was arguably the introduction of surface mount LEDs. This development forced the cost of surveillance illuminators downwards, with the result that now, almost any application can benefit from true 24 hour video surveillance.

The subsequent growth in true day/night devices, coupled with affordable secondary illumination, has eradicated issues with around-the-clock surveillance, and that in itself is no small thing.

Whilst white light is still the preferred option for many (as colour detail is preserved), concerns about light pollution have seen the rise in use of infrared lighting, to the point where it is almost the first choice nowadays. As the majority of cameras are IR sensitive, there are no real barriers to utilising infrared illumination.

While the number of manufacturers offering infrared lighting has grown in recent years, demand for the products is still high, and HD CCTV solutions are a relatively new entrant to this area. The company offers the Clarius range of infrared illuminators.

Specification

Clarius is Latin for ‘more brightly’ … or it could be a reference to Apollo, who was God of light and the sun. Either way, it isn’t important to those seeking illumination.

The Clarius range is made up of short, medium, long and extra long range units, and also includes PoE options. Our test unit was the IL-8100, a long range unit using traditional low power.

The illuminator is an 850 nanometre unit, which emits a red glow when in use. A more covert 940 nanometre variant is also available. Coverage is 100 x 50 degrees, with a total range of 48 metres.

The unit can be controlled via a telemetry input; it also has an integral photocell, with a photocell following contact to switch cameras to an appropriate mode as the illuminator turns on and off. The photocell is adjustable for sensitivity. The defaults allow the light to switch on at around 30 lux, and to switch off at around 70 lux. This differential is included to prevent the lamp flicking on and off during dawn and dusk periods, when light levels are at the switching threshold. The photocell can be disabled.

Power output can also be adjusted between 10 and 100 per cent. Both adjustments are via sideways-oriented potentiometers on the rear of the unit. There are no other adjustments. The illuminator is housed in an extruded aluminium housing, which is anodised with a black finish. The polycarbonate protective lens is billed as ‘vandal-proof’, which is a bold claim. The unit incorporates an integral mounting bracket.

The lens of the Clarius illuminator is treated with what the manufacturer refers to as a ClearLite coating. This is a self-cleaning coating, which is also claimed to make the surface of the polycarbonate cover more scratch-resistant. During the test we did replace a unit that had been outside for nearly five years with the new unit. Despite being in an exposed place, the lens of the older lamp wasn’t particularly dirty or scratched. Still, the coating is there as standard.

Connections to the unit are simple. The illuminator is fitted with a three metre six-core cable. The connections are for power input (12-32V DC or 24 AC), telemetry input and photocell following contact. The cable is pre-connected at the illuminator, eradicating the need for a specialist connection. Power consumption is stated as 39W.

The only other element of the illuminator is a pressure relief valve. This is a standard feature on most illuminators and doesn’t need any interaction.

Build quality is good, and the lamp is supplied with a brief but complete manual.

Performance

Once up and running, the Clarius IL-8100 worked as expected. We tried the unit using the photocell before shifting to our preferred method of operation using telemetry. A point to note is that some illuminators mount the photocell on the back of the unit. If mounted under roof eaves or in a restricted space, this can cause the unit to switch on well before it is actually needed. The Clarius unit has the photocell mounted on the top of the housing, which mostly eliminates mounting issues.

Switching using the photocell was consistent, and we didn’t experience any problems with the unit flickering during dusk and dawn periods. The degree of adjustment isn’t that wide, and whilst the unit switched on a tad early, there wasn’t that much in it.

That the cable is pre-connected is a bonus, as some units are supplied with specialist sockets, and if delivered to site there’s always the issue of ensuring you have an appropriate connector. With the Clarius unit, all that is required is a straightforward cabling connection.

The quality of illumination is good, with consistent levels of light across the viewed scene. We’d always recommend that the range of illuminators is respected, but we did push the distance a bit to see how it coped, and there’s a bit more capability than specified. However, for the sake of quality, don’t try to under-specify the lamps.

The image showed no hot spots or faded areas of illumination, and light intensity was consistent up to the edges of the image. There was also no sign of pooling or other aberrations, even when objects were in the foreground and closer to the illuminator.

Switching using the telemetry was reliable, and the power adjustment also allowed the unit to be used in a number of differing environments without any issues of over-reflectance or glare from nearby objects.

Verdict

The Clarius IL-8100 proved itself to be a well built and designed infrared illuminator. It is, to be truthful, a work-horse more than a Derby winner. That’s not a bad thing. It lacks gimmicks and additional functions that won’t be needed in most applications, instead concentrating on consistent illumination.

That the needs of a site in the real world have been considered is reassuring. Along with that, light quality was good and there were no issues with coverage. As such, the IL-8100 achieves Recommended status”

Many thank to Benchmark for this report

Buy IR illuminator for HD CCTV

If you wish to buy IR illuminator products for HD CCTV look no further than the Clarius range. Clarius are seen within the industry as the main source of competition to RayTec who have long dominated the market. How have RayTec done this and why are Clarius so hot on their heels? The simple answer is quality. Both manufacturers have ensured that quality is their primary goal. Longevity and reliability are key factors that ensure the end user can be more than satisfied when they decide to deploy either IR illuminators or White light illuminators to enhance their CCTV system to ensure quality images at night.

Of course with the white light version they have other uses giving targeted light to reduce light pollution and provide working light in many situations, in fact every situation that requires a reliable, easily maintained lighting solution.

So how have Clarius gained traction in the market place against their main competition? Mainly due to 4 compelling reasons. Firstly they have marketed their product well over the last 12 months. Secondly they have produced longer range units and an explosive proof version to boot. A third factor is the self cleaning lens, vital for reducing maintenance and keeping those ongoing costs down. Finally and most significant is the cost. This has been kept low and value for money is assured.

As the word spreads, Claruis is fast becoming the benchmark in the industry, something that can only improve CCTV lighting choice for everyone.

White light LED illumintors have a bright future

Why would you spend £150 on something that you could buy for £15 from B&Q? That’s the question facing everyone who has or wants to have outside lighting around their homes or businesses.

What are we talking about you may ask? Well we currently have our traditional halogen 500 watt light fitting. You will see these on just about every house and every industrial unit in the country. They have provided lighting for security, health and safety, deterrent and working light for all of us over the years.

Around 20 years ago the Tungstan halogen light was a hard wearing reliable piece of of kit. For around £45 you could buy a fitting that would last perhaps 5 years if subjected to “normal” working conditions. Although the fitting was of exceptional quality the bulbs themselves can only realistically be expected to survive a year or so. This meant annual maintenance and ongoing cost.

Then came the era of the ultra cheap halogen light fitting. This unit was manufactured to a low standard, it was cheap and it burnt out quickly. The nipples that spring onto the bulb disintegrated after just a few weeks or months. It made a very poor security light as it never seemed to work and the cost of replacing both the bulb and the fitting was prohibitive. Not such a cheap option in the long run. what was worse is it made the good quality halogen lights extinct!

Of course the problem with both the good halogens and the bad halogens is that however long they lasted they are very expensive to run. Half a bar of an electric fire for those old fashioned ones of you reading this and you could have several of these lights burning away all night long. Not efficient or very clever, add to this the light pollution they cause and nobody is happy really!

So what is the solution? Well it’s simple. White light LED illuminators. This technology uses ultra bright LEDs to achieve the same level of brightness or LUX level as our old 500 watt halogen and at a fraction of the running cost. Yes currently white light LED illuminators are more expensive in the first place but you will get a return on your investment within a year and the lights can self clean and go un-maintained for up to 10 years so no more cherry pickers at £300 a time just to replace your bulbs.

We strongly recommend the Clarius white light illuminator. With patented self cleaning lenses and high quality parts used in the manufacturing process, you don’t just get good value for money you also get a unit that looks atheistically pleasing to the eye and looks good on any building. With Heath and safety playing a major role in all business today the directional light satisfies the needs for working light, safe light, light pollution campaigners and those who foot the bills for cherry pickers (a real hidden cost for industry today). Add in the real money saver in the form of reduced electricity cost and it seems like a no brainer.

Taking in consideration that halogen lighting is in sharp decline (1000watt bulbs are not even made anymore) it makes sense to look out for the Claruis white light illuminator, probably the best in the industry.

BUY A CLARIUS WHITE LIGHT ILLUMINATOR

Clarius white light upgrades

It may be the height of summer right now and we are enjoying some fantastic weather all over the UK. Although it may not occur to many but now is the time to be thinking of upgrading your lighting to Clarius white light illuminators. Your lighting is crucial to protect you and support your HD cameras when those dark evenings start to draw in. Now is the time of year when traditionally many schools, colleges, factories, and office blocks carry out annual maintenance, mainly because the weather is at its best and many of the staff are out the way taking a well-deserved break. This gives the maintenance teams the opportunity to hire in Cherry pickers to paint soffits and clear drains among other things… but what a great time to change your light fittings to Clarius white light illuminators.

These clever LED lights are designed to give you maximum efficiency and minimum maintenance. They won’t fail when you most need them and will continue to shine brightly throughout the winter months for years to come. Perhaps most importantly they will save you money in the long term.

Reduced electricity bills as well as reliability reduce costs as well as offering better lighting levels and the ability to target the light where it is needed. This also helps to reduce light pollution so all in all Clarius white light illuminators offer an all-round package . So as they say , while the sun shines………………..