Professional cameras form the basis of every reliable monitoring solution - Armadex OZC3

Cameras for explosion-proof and secure industrial areas are developed and manufactured according to the latest requirements and standards of the chemical, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries. The selection of CCTV camera solutions is extremely diverse.

Although the market for compact digital cameras in the EX sector is very specialized, it technically meets the same requirements as larger professional camera solutions.

Areas of application

Small and compact EX cameras are used for documenting maintenance work, visualizing events, or for later analysis of conditions.

This includes, for example, the photographic documentation of leaks or defects in maintenance logs, enabling targeted repairs at a later date. Fire departments use digital cameras to document and analyze on-site incidents and determine necessary actions. This often avoids the immediate deployment of larger teams or equipment. While drones represent a potential alternative in these situations, they are not universally available—either due to cost or limited operational capabilities.

Further areas of application for the robust cameras approved for use in EX areas include environmental protection, waste disposal or hazardous material management.

The OZC 3 as a small, robust solution

A good solution here is the OZC 3 from Armadex . In addition to ATEX, it also offers IECEx approval for Zone 2 (gas) and 22 (dust).

A 4x digital zoom enables recording from a safe distance, thus significantly contributing to the protection of life and limb. This allows dangerous machinery to be captured from a safe distance, enabling, for example, the safe inspection of Zone 1 from Zone 2.

The OZC 3 features a macro mode, allowing even the smallest defects, such as cracks, to be easily captured in close-up shots of just 1 cm. With its 12 MP sensor, it can capture high-resolution images or videos in 4K at 30 FPS.

The camera automatically adjusts the brightness to the local conditions to enable optimal shots in dark areas or in poor lighting conditions.

Naturally, the camera features image stabilization, which prevents videos and photos from blurring. This function is invaluable for video inspections, as it allows users to move around the construction site and record all equipment, machinery, and the surroundings without worrying about distorted or shaky footage.

Document mode and environmental logging

Especially for maintenance and inspection tasks, a document mode is essential. The integrated GPS function saves the location of the recording, and the ambient temperature and pressure are also recorded via a built-in pressure gauge. Each recording is time-stamped and includes the date, allowing for detailed logging and precise image searches. Labels and tags are captured legibly for digital documentation.

Storage media and data transfer

SD, SDHC or SDXC cards are used as storage media, allowing stored images to be transferred very quickly to a PC or tablet.

With the OI.Sharing function, images can be instantly transferred to a smartphone and displayed there. This function can also be used if the camera is mounted at a great height, for example on a post, and is remotely controlled via smartphone.

Camera flash as a ignition risk

Using a camera flash poses an ignition risk, making it non-compliant with ATEX regulations. This presents a challenge in potentially explosive environments where a constant light source is not always available, such as confined spaces within factories or machine rooms, or hazardous outdoor areas that rely on natural daylight for illumination. The OZC 3 is the only intrinsically safe camera that solves this problem. Thanks to its advanced image processing software, the camera achieves exceptional light sensitivity. The combination of software enhancements and the LED flash ensures bright, high-quality images.

Robust construction

The OZC 3 is so robust that it can withstand a fall from a height of over 2 meters without damage. Even use in temperatures ranging from -10°C to +40°C poses no problem for the camera. Furthermore, it is waterproof and dustproof to a depth of 15 meters.

Ease of use was not forgotten. Thanks to its lightweight design, the camera, including the battery, weighs only 249 grams.

Conclusion

Cameras for potentially explosive industrial areas play a crucial role. They are ideally suited for documenting maintenance work, visually analyzing malfunctions, and documenting incidents, such as those handled by fire departments. They also provide valuable support in areas like environmental protection, waste disposal, and hazardous materials management. For these applications, the OZC 3 from Armadex offers a powerful and practical solution for safe and efficient workflows in sensitive industrial zones.

 

Explosion protection specification ATEX and IECEx:

ATEX Zone	2 (Gas) and 22 (Dust)
EU Directive	2014/34/EU (ATEX114)
ATEX marking gas	II 3G Ex ic IIC T4 Gc
ATEX marking dust	II 3D Ex ic IIIB T135ºC Dc
IECEx Certificate	IECEx OBAC 25.0008X
IECEx Marking Gas	Ex ic IIC T4 Gc
IECEx Marking Dust	Ex ic IIIB T135°C Dc
Applied standards	EN 60079-0:2018 EN 60079-11:2012
Applied standards IECEx	EN IEC 60079-0:2017 EN 60079-11:2011

Technical data:

function	Description
Image sensor	12 MP - 1/2.3” BSI CMOS
processor	TruePic VIII
lens	25-100mm (35mm equiv.) - 4x optical zoom F2.0 (W) - F4.9 (T)
Macro function	Super macro: less than f=5.4mm, from 0.1m to 0.3m over 5.4mm, from 0.01m to 0.3m Microscope: 0.01m - 0.30m
Teleconverter	x2 (P, A, Movie mode), x2/x4 (Microscope mode)
Image stabilization	Sensor Shift Image Stabilization
monitor	3.0”, approx. 1,037k dots (3:2)
ISO	100 - 12,800
Shutter speeds	1/2 - 1/2000 sec. (A Mode: up to 4 sec.)
Image formats	JPEG, RAW (12-bit lossless compression), JPEG+RAW [RAW] 4000 x 3000 [JPEG] 4000 x 3000 ~ 1280 x 960
Series of shots	Sequential shooting H: Approx. 20 fps with selectable 10/20 fps Sequential shooting L: Approximately 5 fps Pro Capture: Approx. 10 fps*Electronic Shutter
Interval recordings	Time-lapse movies can be created with interval shooting of up to 299 frames. Time priority and frame priority are selectable.* Exposure smoothing is available.
video	3840×2160 (4K) 30p, 25p / IPB (Approx. 102Mbps) 1920 x 1080 (FHD) / 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p / IPB (Approx. 52Mbps, Approx. 30Mbps, Approx. 18Mbps) 1280 x 720 (HD) / 30p, 25p / IPB (Approx. 26Mbps, Approx. 14Mbps, Approx. 10Mbps) *Frame rates may drop when certain art filters and movie effects are used.
Robust properties	Waterproof to a depth of 50 ft / 15 m Frost-resistant down to 14°F / -10°C Drop resistant 220 lbf / 100 kg Shockproof 7 ft / 2.1 m Anti-fog lens cover with double-pane glass
Sensors	GPS (GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS), compass, manometer, temperature sensor, accelerometer
Creative possibilities	Live Composite, Art Filters, HDR, Underwater Modes, Macro Modes, Construction Mode
Connections	USB Type-C Micro HDMI (type D), Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n), Bluetooth (Version 4.2 Bluetooth Low Energy)
power	LI-92B Li-ion battery
Mass	113.9mm (W) x 65.8mm (H) x 32.7mm (D)
Weight	Approx. 249 g (with battery and memory card) (0.55 lb / 8.78 oz)