How to Protect Your Camera from Lasers: 7 Actionable Factors

Lasers are becoming ever more common, and with that comes an increased risk of damage to digital cameras. As lasers produce powerful and concentrated beams of light that produce a great deal of heat. 

This heat can cause significant damage to digital cameras, even if the beam is only momentarily in contact with the camera. It is highly suggested to learn how to protect your camera from lasers for your own safety.

These steps will keep your camera operating properly and keeping it well-protected. We are going to provide you with some effective ideas that can help you protect your camera from lasers, so keep reading and gain some knowledge.

How Does Laser Light Damage Cameras?

A laser pointer is a small, hand-held device that emits a beam of laser light. This device is made up of a few different parts, including a laser diode, a power source, and a focusing lens. 

The laser pointer is powered by a battery, and the light is emitted from the laser diode. Laser light works by emitting a single wavelength of light. This light is then amplified and focused into a single point. 

It is important to note that lasers can be extremely bright and powerful, which is why they can cause damage to camera systems and other sensitive materials.

Lasers can damage security cameras in a few different ways. When a laser light hits the camera lens, it can cause two types of damage. The first type of damage is called thermal damage. 

Thermal damage is caused by the heat that is generated when the laser light hits the lens. This can cause the camera lens to shatter or become distorted. 

The second type of damage is called optical damage. Optical damage is caused by the light that is emitted by the laser. This can cause the camera’s sensor to be damaged, which will result in a loss of image quality.

How to Protect Your Camera from Lasers? The Definitive Guide

CCTV or security cameras are valuable pieces of equipment, and it is important to take whatever steps are necessary to protect them from harm. 

Laser pointer damage to the digital camera in a very short amount of time, so it is essential to take the necessary precautions. Follow these simple tips to help protect your CCTV camera from lasers:

1. Install Moving Cameras

A moving camera is a type of security camera that moves around to ensure that a wide area is covered. This is in contrast to a stationary camera, which remains in one spot.

Moving camera is becoming increasingly popular due to the fact that they can provide a more comprehensive view of an area, and they are less likely to be security camera pointed by vandals.

Installing a moving camera can help protect cameras from lasers. By having a constantly in motion camera, you can minimize the risk of sensor damage from laser pointers.

The movement of the camera will cause the beams to move around and avoid hitting the camera for extended periods of time. This will help to keep your camera safe from physical damage.

2. Set-up Infrared Filters

An infrared filter is designed to block infrared light from passing through them. This type of filter is often used in surveillance camera systems to help protect them from infrared lasers.

When laser beams hit an infrared filter, the filter will block the majority of the lights from passing through. This will help to prevent damage to the camera by preventing the laser beams from hitting the camera sensor for an extended time.

If you are using a security camera that does not have an infrared filter, you can purchase an infrared filter to attach to the camera. 

This will help to safeguard the camera from powerful lasers. Try to find a high transmission rating filter so that as much light as possible will be blocked.

3. Use an Alarm System

If you are worried about someone targeting your surveillance camera with laser pointers, you can use an alarm system to help safeguard them.

An alarm system will sound a loud alarm when it detects that someone is targeting your video surveillance system with a laser. This will help to deter potential vandals and safeguard your camera from damage.

4. Place Cameras in Protected Locations

One of the best ways to protect CCTV cameras from laser pointers is to place them in protected locations. 

Protected locations are areas that are less likely to be targeted by criminals. In order to protect your security cameras from laser pointers, it is a good idea to place them in higher areas, such as on a roof or in a corner.

You should also avoid placing your surveillance camera in areas that are easily accessible to the laser operator. This will help to keep your cameras safe from damage.

5. Use Laser-Proof Glass

Laser-proof glass is a type of glass that has been treated to be resistant to the damage caused by lasers. 

It can be used to safeguard cameras, eyeglasses, and other sensitive equipment from the damage caused by lasers. 

Laser-proof glass is available in a variety of different thicknesses, so you can find one that will fit your needs. Installing laser-proof glass is easy, and it can help to protect your camera sensor from lasers.

6. Setup Blinding Notification Software

If someone is targeting your security camera sensor with a laser, you can use software to help protect them. 

Blinding notification software will notify you when someone is targeting your security cameras with a laser. This will allow you to take action to safeguard your cameras from damage.

7. Install Multiple Cameras

When possible, it is a good idea to install multiple security cameras. This will help to provide additional protection for your cameras. 

If a laser pointer targets one camera sensor, the other cameras will still be able to capture footage. So, the criminal will not be successful in completely disabling your security system.

Why Do People Attempt to Blind the Camera?

Security cameras play a very important role in the security of a business or home. They can help to provide footage of criminal activity, which can be used to identify the criminal and bring them to justice. Below are some reasons why criminals might attempt to damage security cameras:

1. To Hide Their Crimes

If a criminal knows that the security cameras capture footage of them, they might try to damage or disable the cameras. This will help to hide their crimes and make it harder for the police to identify them.

2. To Disrupt The Security System

Criminals who are able to disable security cameras will be able to disrupt the security system. This might allow them to rob the business or home without being caught on tape.

3. To Cause Fear

Some criminals might attempt to damage security cameras to cause fear among the business or homeowners. This will make them less likely to report criminal activity, and the criminal can continue with their crime without being caught.

4. Act of Prank

There are also cases of someone damaging security cameras as a prank. This might be done to show off their skills or simply to cause mischief.

Whatever the reason, it is important to take steps to safeguard your security cameras from green laser pointers. By following the tips above, you can help to keep your security cameras safe and functional.

Frequently Asked Questions:

People might have a few questions about security cameras and lasers. Here are some of the most common questions with answers:

1. Can a Laser Beam Disable a Security Camera?

There will be some variation depending on the strength of the laser beam and the type of security camera that is being used. 

Typical laser beam strengths are not strong enough to disable a security camera, but there are high-power lasers that could potentially do damage. Infrared lasers are the type of powerful laser that is most likely to damage a security camera.

2. How Long Does It Take a Laser to Disable a Security Camera?

It will depend on the strength of the laser and the type of security camera that is being used. Some cameras might be disabled instantly, while others might take a little longer.

3. Is It Possible to Repair a Security Camera Damaged By a Laser?

Repairing a security camera that has been damaged by a laser can be difficult. It might be possible to fix the camera if the damage is not too severe, but it is likely that the camera will need to be replaced if it has been severely damaged.

4. What Can Block Lasers?

Any item that blocks conventional light can also block the visible laser lights. For example, a wall, a solid curtain, or even a sheet of paper can block the visible laser lights.

5. How Far Do Laser Lights Go?

The laser lights will be attenuated as it travels further from the source. The amount of attenuation will depend on the wavelength and power of the laser, as well as the environment in which it is traveling. Typically, the laser light shows about 100 meters away from the laser source.

6. Can Laser Be Harmful to the Human Eye?

Laser lights can be harmful to the human eyes if it is shining in the eye for an extended period of time. It is important to keep the laser beams away from your eyes and never look directly into the beam.

Conclusion

We hope that you now have a clearer understanding of lasers and their effect on security cameras. Lasers can disable or damage surveillance cameras, so it is important to take steps to protect different cameras from lasers. 

Now that you know how to protect your camera from lasers, you are prepared to take action. By following the tips outlined above, you can be certain that your security camera will be protected from laser damage.