Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the product names below to see a full list of their FAQ's. If you have any further questions about the products, please feel free to contact us.

 

Solaris FAQ's

What do the different part numbers mean?
 

CCDS1415-DN - A Solaris dome with a Sony x18 zoom, colour/mono camera module and a square RJ45 connector.

CCDS1415-DNX - A Solaris dome with a Sony x26 zoom, colour/mono camera module and a square RJ45 connector.

CCDS1415-DN36 - A Solaris dome with a Sony x36 zoom, colour/mono camera module and a square RJ45 connector.

CCDS1415-ST - A Solaris dome with a Sony x18 zoom, colour ONLY camera module and a square RJ45 connector.

CCDS1425-DN - A Solaris dome with a Sony x18 zoom, colour/mono camera module and a round RJ45 connector.

CCDS1425-DNX - A Solaris dome with a Sony x26 zoom, colour/mono camera module and a round RJ45 connector.

CCDS1425-DN36 - A Solaris dome with a Sony x36 zoom, colour/mono camera module and a round RJ45 connector.

CCDS1425-ST - A Solaris dome with a Sony x18 zoom, colour ONLY camera module and a round RJ45 connector.

 
Can spare parts be used on any model Solaris?

CCDS1415-XTU/CCDS1425-XTU – Both XTU (External Termination Unit) part numbers are compatible with the entire range of Solaris domes.

CCDS1415-PSU/CCDS1425-PSU – Both PSU (18VDC Power Supply Unit housed in the XTU) part numbers are compatible with the entire range of Solaris domes.

THE ONLY SPARE PART THAT IS SPECIFIC TO A DOME IS A REPLACEMENT RJ45 CABLE, you need to state when ordering if it’s for a CCDS1415-XXX square connector or CCDS1425-XXX round connector.

 
What is an RTU and why is it needed?

An RTU is a Remote Termination Unit, the RTU allows the XTU to be installed at a distance of up to 300m from the dome camera.

 
What is the maximum distance between the XTU (External Termination Unit) and the HU (Head Unit)?

A 10 meter cable is supplied but this is extendable to a maximum of 30 meters.

 
What protocols are available in the XTU?

Molynx Coaxial (C Type), Molynx RS485, Pelco D, Pelco P, Siemens CCDA,  Ernitec ERNA, VCL, Vicon, Photon, Videmech Universal and Philips.

 
What spare parts can be ordered?

CCDS1425-XTU – A complete External Telemetry Unit in an IP67 enclosure.

CCDS1425-PSU – A replacement power supply for the XTU.

CCDS1425-BC – Clear standard hemisphere supplied with a silica gel pack.

CCDS1425-PC – Clear polycarbonate hemisphere supplied with a silica gel pack.

CCDS1425-BS – Smoked hemisphere supplied with a silica gel pack.

All other parts we recommend returning the unit to us for fitting and testing.

 

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ATEX

What is a PPF?

A PPF or ‘Pre-Production Form’ is a document which we ask the customer to sign to confirm the exact model of camera, lens, etc., which will be fitted into the Phoenix camera housing before manufacturing begins.

 
Why is a PPF needed?

ATEX certification governs what equipment can be installed into Phoenix camera housings to maintain the designed level of protection when used in a hazardous environment.

It is vital that the proposed  camera, lens, etc., are compared with the manufacturer’s specification and approved before use. The PPF process rigorously checks that maximum dimensions and power consumptions are not exceeded.

 
Do I need a ‘B or a ‘C’ unit?

The site operator’s Safety Representative will have audited the hazardous areas within the site boundaries and can give guidance on the type of hazard(s) to be found there. Use the Phoenix certification data to check that it is suitable for use.

 
What is the difference between the gas groups?

These refer to the types of explosive mixtures of gas and dust which could be present in the hazardous area. An example of Gas group IIB (which also includes the  less flammable Group IIA gases) would be Ethylene and for Gas group IIC, Hydrogen.

 
Why are gases identified by groups? 

The risks posed by explosive gases and dusts in air depend on a number factors, such as:

  • how much energy there is in a spark to ignite them
  • the temperature at which the gas or dust will self-ignite
  • the strength of the mixture of gas or dust with air.

The different gas groups are intended to reflect the potential risk of an explosion, with Group IIA gases being the least explosive and Group IIC gases the most explosive.

 
Is the Phoenix range suitable for mining?

No, it has not been certified for mining applications (known as Equipment Group I). It can however safely be used above or below ground for Equipment Group II applications (ie areas where explosive atmospheres of air and gases, vapours or mists, or air and dust mixtures are present)

 
What does T85°C mean?

This refers to the maximum temperature in °Celsius that the outside surface of the unit will reach under fault conditions. This particular value is well below the self-ignition temperature of the gases or dusts that the unit is certified for, making it safe for use in hazardous areas.

 
What camera and lens can I use?

We have equipped Phoenix housings with a range of Siemens analogue box cameras  and  varifocal lenses and zoom lenses. Siemens network IP box cameras and megapixel lenses can also be used, giving high resolution and excellent images in low-light situations.

 
What happens if I need to replace a faulty camera?

The housing can safely be opened at any time that the hazardous conditions are not present, so the internal equipment can be easily  serviced. Some operators also use a Permit to Work procedure as an extra safeguard. To maintain the ATEX certification the replacement camera or lens must not exceed the dimensions of the original equipment.

 
I need a wiper for the housing, how do I switch it on and off?

This is usually done by having a telemetry receiver fitted into the housing (if there is enough room) or when possible it can be done by direct wiring from a nearby control room.

 
I need to steer the housing to look at different points, can this be done?

In this case, the housing is mounted on the 'FP50' Pan & Tilt unit which is controlled from the RX-AC17 telemetry receiver within the housing. This receiver is capable of storing a number of preset positions, including the zoom & focus positions for a motorised zoom lens fitted to the camera. So foreground and distant scenes can be viewed from the one camera position.

 
I need to use a telemetry receiver but I've been told that the receiver is too big for the housing – what can be done?

The telemetry receiver can be fitted into an ATEX-approved enclosure and fitted close to the camera housing. So long as the interconnecting cables are not longer than 10m the preset positions will still be accurate.

 
I need a washer to clear the housing glass of dirt, what is available?

We have supplied a number of housings with a washer facility which uses a pressurised reservoir and an ATEX-approved solenoid valve, controlled by a telemetry receiver.

 
Can I fit infra-red lamps to the housing or pan/tilt unit?

We do not currently have a range of IR lamps approved for use in hazardous areas, but third-party IR lamps can be fitted to the FP50 Pan/Tilt unit so long as the 40kg maximum loading of the unit is not exceeded.

 

 

Visilynx

What is a Visilynx V3i?

The Visilynx V3i (VIS3i-328) is a 32 loop-through camera input by 8 monitor output full cross-point video matrix contained in a 19” wide by 3U high enclosure.

 
Is it possible to purchase a larger matrix for more cameras or monitors?

You can connect two identical units together using an expansion cable to double the size of the video matrix to make it 64 inputs and 16 outputs. One unit becomes the Master and the other the Slave selectable with the switch on the rear on the units.

 
Is a 64 x 16 matrix the maximum size for a V3i?

You can connect up to 127 nodes together to form a distributed video switching network. The video connections between the nodes are made by trunk connections.

 
What is a node?

A node is either a single or master/slave V3i matrix.

 
How do you set up the V3i to suit individual requirements?

The Visilynx V3i is supplied with configuration and test software called VisiPC, this should be installed onto a suitable PC. Using this software you configure the V3i to your particular requirements.

 
Does the Visilynx V3i have a quad output?

There are two quad outputs on the rear of the V3i which are enabled by inserting 1 or 2 VIS3-QUAD cards into the internal slots. Each card displays four high-colour pictures on a single video output in real time, with each segment controllable as a separate monitor number.

 
How does the V3i connect to a PC?

It connects via the PC’s 9 way comm. port using RS232, a 9-way to 9-way interface lead is supplied with the unit. If no comm. port is available we can supply a USB to comm. port interface and software that has been tested on the V3i.

 
How many keyboards (V-K) can be connected to a V3i?

You can connect a total of sixteen keyboards to a keyboard serial port on the rear of the V3i, using a simple RS-485 cable ‘daisy-chained’ between them, wiring details can be found in the manual.

 
Can fibre connection be used between the V3i and V-K?

You can connect a single V-K over fibre using an RS-422 cable, wiring details can be found in the manual.

 
What protocols are available in the V3i?

Over the Coax telemetry: Molynx 'C'
RS485 telemetry: Molynx, Molynx Bi-directional, Kalatel, Vista Power Dome, JVC 675, Ultrak/Diamond, Dennard, VCL, Videmech Universal, Pelco D, Sensormatic Speed Dome, Siemens CCDA, Siemens SCU Var. Speed, Siemens SCU Fixed Speed and Vicon.

 
Can you control a DVR with the V3i/V-K?

Yes, with the latest version of our software you can achieve full integration with our VisiView H.264 16 channel DVR, switching from live to recorded video, search, view events, enter and amend settings all from the same keyboard used to control V3i. Other DVR control information is available in the manual.

Can the V3i be upgraded to allow camera control via Pelco D RS485 input?
Yes: Software has been developed to allow VISILYNX V3i camera control via Pelco D RS485 input . Click here for further details.
 
What spare parts are available?

The V3i-PSU is a stock item for next day delivery, should the need ever arise.

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