Outdoor surveillance systems are especially vulnerable to lightning damage—particularly in open, unprotected environments like military camps. To solve this widespread issue, a large-scale upgrade project across over 100 military sites implemented SC&T’s Ethernet surge protectors to safeguard newly installed PoE surveillance systems.
Why Military Camps Need Surge Protection
Ensuring Real-Time Monitoring
Military operations rely on continuous real-time monitoring for security, logistics, and emergency response. Any downtime caused by surge-damaged equipment can compromise situational awareness and delay critical decisions. Surge protectors act as a frontline defense to keep surveillance systems online without interruption.
Open Terrain with Poor Grounding
Military bases are often located in wide, open areas with low building density. Unlike urban environments, these areas lack dense grounding infrastructure and often experience more direct lightning strikes. This makes outdoor surveillance devices—such as PoE cameras, NVRs, and switches—highly susceptible to surge damage.
Additionally, perimeter fencing with metal mesh can unintentionally attract surges and transmit them to connected devices. In these environments, proper grounding and surge protection become critical for operational reliability and safety.
Higher Risk in Mountainous and Coastal Areas
Taking Taiwan as an example, data shows that mountainous and coastal regions have a higher Ground Flash Density (GFD), meaning more lightning strikes per year. In these regions, stricter surge protection standards have been established due to:
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Higher discharge and impulse requirements
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Faster wear-out rate of surge protection devices (up to 10x more frequent replacement than in urban areas)
This makes high-performance surge protection essential for outdoor projects in such regions.
SC&T’s Surge Protector Deployment: A Scalable Outdoor Solution
As part of a government-led surveillance system upgrade, analog cameras were replaced with PoE IP cameras. This transition required tens of thousands of surge protectors to be deployed at military sites across Taiwan.
Surge Protector Installation
Surge protectors were installed on both ends of the Ethernet line:
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Camera Side: Surge protectors placed inside the camera housing.
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Equipment Side: Surge protectors installed in outdoor junction boxes near NVRs or PoE switches.
This two-sided installation ensures comprehensive protection against unpredictable surge paths in open areas.
- Compliant with IEEE 802.3af/at/bt standards.
- Supports Gigabit speeds (10/100/1000 Mbps).
- Supports IP66 Waterproof rating.
- Response time less than 1 ns.
- TAA-compliant for government procurement.
Results: 86% Drop in Camera Failure Rates
Before surge protector deployment, the average damage rate was around 5%, leading to over 500 failed cameras annually, mostly during the rainy season. After installation:
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Failure rate dropped from 5% to under 0.7% — an 86% reduction
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Over 400 cameras saved each year
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Maintenance and repair costs were significantly reduced
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System uptime improved, avoiding interruptions in critical monitoring operations
Why Integrators Recommend Surge Protectors
Integrators and partners across Asia consistently recommend Ethernet surge protectors for outdoor installations. Some key takeaways:
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Surge protectors cost only 5–8% of the total system value, but prevent the majority of post-installation failures.
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80% of outdoor camera failures are caused by surges, not water or insects.
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Cameras may include built-in surge components, but external surges can still cause failure, resulting in time-consuming replacements and downtime.
Where Surge Protectors Are Most Needed
Surge protectors are highly recommended for:
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Open fields and expansive areas
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Eaves and roof edges (often lacking direct grounding)
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Isolated installations far from grounded buildings
In contrast, cameras directly attached to buildings with proper grounding may have a lower risk and require fewer protective measures.
Conclusion: Affordable Protection, Proven Results
SC&T’s PoE surge protectors proved to be a cost-effective solution for protecting mission-critical surveillance systems in military environments. By dramatically reducing failure rates and long-term maintenance costs, they are a smart investment for any outdoor surveillance project, especially in high-risk, lightning-prone regions.
