R. STAHL HMI Systems is introducing a CCTV complete solution for safe and hazardous areas that can be integrated in plant control systems. The ActiveX and OPC software interfaces are used to fully integrate the cameras. The camera signals can then be easily incorporated into process images and can be displayed at any operating station, from where the video equipment can also be directly operated. Cameras, software solutions and HMI systems can be supplied as a complete package including all accessories such as cables, switches and terminal boxes as well as keyboards, joysticks and other input devices.

In the case of conventional video surveillance systems, operating staff usually have to keep an eye on a special monitor in the main control room, which is often not very practical. In contrast to that, surveillance systems that are fully integrated into the control system of the plant can supply video signals to any HMI operating station, and also support remote control from these stations. By integrating video signals via ActiveX controls a camera view can be allocated to a process image window simply by dropping and briefly parameterising a Drag&Drop object. The remote control of the pan and tilt heads as well as the cameras’ zoom is implemented by R. STAHL with the help of the non-proprietary OPC standard (OLE for Process Control), which is supported by all current automation systems and is implemented in these as a standardised I/O interface.

Three camera types are available for installation in hazardous areas. The pan/tilt EC-730 is an autofocus camera with a classic design. Its 22x zoom is supplemented by an 11x digital zoom function for extreme magnification. The EC-730 is suitable for ambient temperatures ranging from -30 °C to +50 °C and also has a seawater-proof aluminium housing. Thanks to its zero-lux night vision mode the camera can also be used in very dark environments. The second model is the extremely compact, spherical EC-710-090 which, due to its diameter of only 55 mm, fits into the smallest spaces. The fixed camera viewing angle is +/- 90° horizontally and 68° vertically. Although the EC-710-090 weighs a mere 435 grams, its steel housing can withstand aggressive chemical substances and protects the camera from substantial mechanical stress. It can be installed in ambient temperatures ranging from -30 °C to +75 °C. Located under a transparent dome, the third Ex-protected camera is the EC-750, which gives users maximum flexibility, particularly for an all-round view. With a tilt angle of ±90° it can freely pan across 360°. It has an 18x zoom lens. This intelligent model can follow up to 64 programmable positions and paths. As an option, this camera type can also be directly integrated into digital networks via its own IP interface.

With their field-proven camera range, sophisticated software concepts and all the necessary accessories R. STAHL can provide system solutions for video surveillance of all kinds of plants and processes in hazardous areas. The hardware can easily withstand the rough conditions that prevail at typical locations, be it in chemical plants, on-shore or offshore or on board ships. Three mechanically robust cameras achieve IP68 throughout and provide reliable gas explosion protection.

Each model has its own particular features: The AF80EX auto-focus camera with automatic heater and 18-x optical zoom, for example, is suitable for ambient temperatures of between -30 °C and +75 °C. Its waterproof, nitrogen-filled stainless steel housing has a special coating that makes it absolutely stainless – resistant even to aggressive saline air and spray. The exceedingly compact EC-710-090 on the other hand, with its diameter of only 55 mm, fits into the smallest spaces and is also protected against dust explosions. The EC-750 Dome camera, which is covered by a transparent dome, has a free horizontal panning range of 360° and can follow programmable positions and paths. All cameras can provide analog CVS (composite video signal) in full PAL - some also in NTSC - resolution. It can be used as part of an analog surveillance system for the direct view of a full screen, for recording or for a split-screen display from various image sources. Via a video server, the signals can also be converted into digital video data an fed into an Ethernet to be used and evaluated in various ways with the aid of a computer. Alternatively, the Dome camera is available with an IP interface for digital networks.

A suitable software solution is available for every type of requirement, purpose or size of a surveillance system. R. STAHL’s proprietary SMART Display software has been optimized for smaller configurations and can produce images for real-time surveillance with a maximum delay of 150 milliseconds on an HMI display, where it can easily be operated via a touch screen. Complex surveillance systems can be implemented for any number of cameras with the ProBox 5/10/15 package or the ProBox Enterprise Edition. This solution has an inbuilt motion detector and can inform those in charge via e-mail, text message or the OPC or SNMP network protocols in case of an alarm. R. STAHL develops and supplies complete turnkey surveillance solutions. In addition to the cameras, video servers and the ready-to-run, preconfigured software these systems also include all necessary accessory components, such as cables, switches and terminal boxes, as well as joysticks and keyboards for the remote control of the cameras.

With the launch of the EC-750 DOME camera, customers can now choose from three different cameras

With the launch of the new EC-750 DOME camera with protection class IP68, clients can now choose from three different camera models for their CCTV complete solution in hazardous areas of zones 1, 2, 21 and 22. The autofocus system is mounted in a robust dome and can pan 360° non-stop, with a tilt-angle of ±90°. The color camera has a resolution of 460/470 TVL (PAL/NTSC), 18x optical zoom and night vision. Up to 64 positions and paths can be pre-set. As an option, the EC-750 can have an integrated IP server. Like the other two camera types which have been available for some time now, the new model is chemical, shock and vibration resistant. The camera is designed for maritime application, both onshore and offshore.

On request, R. STAHL HMI Systems will compile CCTV system packages for monitoring vats or real-time applications such as loading or drilling. In addition to the CCTV cameras, these packages may include various PC-based HMIs for safe or hazardous areas which can display images of various cameras simultaneously in split-screen mode and which can be controlled via touch screen. Video servers and additional software for applications such as surveillance or real-time operation are also part of the package. Video servers are used for processing image data in TCP/IP networks. Accessories such as cables and Ex-e junction boxes, software solutions, consultancy, configuration and commissioning services complete the whole package.