Tips on Choosing a Sewer Inspection Camera

Sewer inspection cameras are widely used by plumbers, contractors, engineers, home inspectors, municipal workers, and other professionals for inspecting areas that are typically difficult to see, that is pipeline interiors, spaces behind walls, inside a drain, and other hard-to-reach places. So, if you are thinking of purchasing a new sewer scope, first, you need to consider what it is you are going to use it for. Should it be water- and chemicals-proof? How much light will you need? How long should the insertion probe be? etc.
We are offering you a few general tips on choosing a good sewer CCTV. However, in the end, you will have to make the decision based on your specific needs, requirements, and budget

Insertion probe:

• Length.

It should be long enough to go from one manhole to another. The length of the probes varies from 20 to 120 meters (65.6' - 394'). In case you need a more extended probe, you may need a reel with a stand to roll the probe, for additional comfort or a pipe crawler.

• Material.

Simple PVC-covered probes are sturdy enough for most of the works but can be worn out and damaged during a routine, heavy-duty inspection. Some of our professional sewer inspection cameras have Kevlar braided probes. Kevlar is five times stronger than steel (used in body armor, e.g.) which makes such insertion probes considerably more durable.
If the pushrod with the attached cam is water- and chemicals-proof and is capable of withstanding 1-6 bar pressure – this will also provide longevity to your device.

Camera:

• Illumination.

Since you are planning to inspect hard-to-see areas, you will need enough light to explore them. The brighter the light source, the better is the image. Search for sewer inspection cameras with adjustable, bright LED lights.

• Material.

Just as the insertion probe, the camera should be at least waterproof to last you long enough. Stainless steel housing is preferable.

• Type of head: standard, self-leveling, pan/tilt.

While standard heads are cheaper, self-leveling and pan/tilt cameras allow you to see the sides of a pipeline, or behind the wall, go around corners, and still provide you with a clear picture.

Monitor hub:

• Screen.

The screen should give you a clear picture of the area you are inspecting. A wider screen and higher resolution are always better. Pro models are equipped with a Daylight Readable Monitor.

• Image capturing and saving.

Modern sewer inspection cameras can capture different types of files with different resolutions. You can save the footage either as a JPEG file or a video in MPEG, or AVI format. Being able to record images on your computer is a convenient tool since first, you don't need to use a pen to write everything down or try to remember it. And secondly, you can always go back to the file should you, or your client, need to verify some information.

• Additional features.

Some modern sewer inspection cameras are equipped with keyboards (maybe splashproof on the PRO models) that allow you to type useful information during inspections.

General characteristics:

Weight and handle.
The sewer inspection camera should be lightweight and have a comfortable grip, especially if you are planning to use it for long periods. Bigger models can be equipped with carrying wheels.
A radio transmitter will be an excellent addition to the camera. It is generally located behind the camera at the tip of the probe and operates on 512 Hz frequency mode (North America). It is a great tool to locate your camera or find blockages. Make sure you have an accurate locator to trace it.