(Mostly) Software Questions for Thermal Camera IPC-TPC124XB-AI-S2 7/8mm

[Simas123456]

I'll start with the EmpireTech IPC-TPC124XB-AI-S2 Thermal Network Mini Hybrid Bullet Camera (7/8mm). First, the thermal is extremely useful. I am impressed. The IR camera could be better because of sensor size, but the thermal is useful. I can see myself walking at 550' (167 meters), and if I walk quickly, I can see that my arms are moving from side to side at that distance. I can even see it if I am walking directly toward or away from the camera.

Model: IPC-TPC124XB-AI-S2 7/8mm
System Version: 2.680.0000000.3.R
Build Date 2024-10-12

Questions:
1) How do I clean the camera? It's mounted near a gravel driveway, and it has been dusty lately. Should I just blow it off with canned air, or spray water lightly at it, or something else?
2) What is the RS485 for, and how is it used? It allows one to set certain common protocols, such as PELCOD. I assume it could be hooked to some kind of rotating assembly to provide Pan and Tilt capabilities to that an input at the NVR would pass through the camera and provide RS485 to the mechanism. Is that correct? Or, is the RS-485 an input at the camera that gives some kind of information to the NVR, such as being able to connect to some sensor near the camera and transfer that data to the NVR, such as if I had an analog thermometer or something like that? I assume System>Peripheral sets the PTZ protocol.
3) What is the purpose of System>General>Positioning System? Is this just so the installer knows the location, or is it data that would be available from a custom dashboard so that the cameras could be viewed on a map?
4) Regarding System>Exception>Burn Alarm: What does this mean? Is this overheating the thermal sensor, or is it to indicate that a fire has been detected? It is currently set at Default. Should it be changed in certain circumstances?
5) What is AI>Smart Thermal>Heat>Visible Engineering Truck Filter? Also, what does the Reflection Filter do?

 

[Mark_M]

1. Clean the camera with a soft cloth and a little water. Blowing with air to remove lose dust is okay.
2. RS485 is for an external device, such as a Pan/Tilt base. Some software versions allow machinery control.
3. Positioning system is an up-right standing PTZ camera, e.g: https://www.dahuasecurity.com/au/products/All-Products/PTZ-Cameras/Positioning-Systems
4. Burn alarm is a function to protect the thermal imaging sensor from damage. If the thermal camera is pointed at a heat source too hot, the shutter will come in front to protect it. You may notice the shutter click sound every 3 minutes (depending on default). This is 'FFC' and is the shutter coming in front of the thermal imaging sensor, quickly recalibrating temperature and then opening again.
5. 'Engineering truck' is the translation for a large vehicle, this is a filter such that the camera is not to trigger a thermal alarm if the visible light camera detects a truck. Useful if you are using the camera for fire protection but a hot vehicle enters the area and this may be a false alarm. Reflection filter is for shinny metal surfaces reflecting a lot of heat. Heat infra-red can be reflected off surfaces, this is why emissivity value is important for accurate temperature measurements.

 

[Simas123456]

That answers most of the questions. Thank you!

Why are there coordinates with the positioning system? I checked out your link, and it looks like positioning system would be useful at precalculating zoom at varying distances, but the thermal cam does not have zoom.

 

[Mark_M]

but the thermal cam does not have zoom.

Most thermal cameras do not have zoom, because lenses are expensive. There are very high-end thermal cameras with optical zoom available.

Coordinates for positioning system is for pan/tilt cameras and the operator (who may be in a different area/city/country) can easily understand North/East/South/West bearing directions without looking at a map.