IP Rating Guide for Philippine Outdoor Cameras
IP (Ingress Protection) ratings define how well a device resists dust and water — the two biggest threats to outdoor CCTV cameras in the Philippines. The rating has two digits: the first indicates dust protection (6 = fully sealed), and the second indicates water protection (6 = powerful jets from any direction, 7 = temporary immersion up to 1 meter).
| IP Rating | Water Protection | Philippine Use Case | Suitable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP54 | Splash from any direction | Covered eaves only — not typhoon-rated | No |
| IP65 | Low-pressure jets | Light rain areas, covered mounting | Limited |
| IP66 | High-pressure jets | Standard Philippine outdoor installation | Yes |
| IP67 | Immersion up to 1 meter / 30 min | Typhoon-exposed positions, flood-prone areas | Best |
Typhoon installation tip: Even IP67 cameras benefit from being mounted under a 100mm soffit overhang. This reduces rain force on the lens, prevents water streaking on footage during heavy rain, and extends the camera's service life by 2-3 years in Philippine tropical conditions.
Bullet vs Dome Outdoor Cameras
Bullet cameras (CO-200) are cylindrical with a long body and fixed lens direction. They are visually prominent — a deterrent in themselves — and have a longer IR range (20-40 meters) for covering long driveways, compound walls, and street-facing angles. They require precise aiming during installation.
Dome cameras (CO-400) are compact, vandal-resistant, and have a wider field of view (100-120—) that covers more area with a single unit. The IK10 vandal-resistance rating means the housing withstands a 20-joule impact — equivalent to a hammer strike — without damage. Dome cameras are the preferred choice for gated community installations and corner-mounting positions.
Outdoor Camera Placement for Philippine Homes
- Main gate / driveway entrance: A bullet camera facing outward, capturing face and plate detail of anyone approaching the property. CO-200 at 2.8mm lens, mounted 3-4 meters high, angled 15x downward.
- Perimeter wall corners: Dome cameras at the corners of the compound wall give overlapping coverage of the full perimeter with minimum cameras. CO-400 dome at each corner covers the adjacent wall sections.
- Side passages / service gates: Bullet camera facing the secondary gate or service entrance — the most common point of unauthorized entry in Philippine residential properties.
- Carport / garage: A wide-angle dome camera covering the vehicle area and access to the house interior. CO-400T with its 108x field of view covers a full double-car carport from a single ceiling mount.