Service line technicians often struggle to pinpoint the exact location of clogs or damage when they arrive for cleanups or repairs.
They always find themselves in a dilemma of finding the exact location of the issue. The narrow and dark inner spaces make it physically impossible to inspect the inner walls for damage without extensive excavation.
This is where glass pipe inspection cameras prove their functionality in eliminating guesswork and the need to open sections of the network. The compact yet durable camera captures every inch of the inner walls, and technicians view the images in real time on the system’s monitor.
Over time, manufacturers have successfully developed countless models with improved features, including recording capabilities, zooming options, automatic leveling mechanisms, distance counters, etc.
This article mainly covers the essential components and working principles of inspection camera systems.
What to Know About a Glass Pipe Inspection Camera Viewer?
A glass pipe inspection camera viewer is a visual inspection system that technicians use remotely to diagnose the interiors of pipes, sewers, ducts, and other confined or hard-to-reach spaces. Manufacturers have designed these camera-based systems to minimize the damage and disruption that come with excavating service lines.
The “glass” refers to the sapphire glass or an equivalent scratch-resistant optical material. This component protects the small camera head from water, debris, abrasives, and other harsh elements that could impact footage clarity.
Since the pipe is dark and narrow, the system uses ring and supplementary LEDs to light up the area around the camera. Technicians can view the image or video live on their monitor screens and make decisions regarding the issue.
What are the Core Components of a Glass Pipe Inspection Camera?
Camera
The camera head is the component that captures the images and videos for viewing. Depending on the need, service line technicians choose either a large-screen or a compact camera.
The smaller camera head easily passes through narrow spaces, while larger ones offer special features, easy-to-use monitors, and greater durability.
Regardless of size, the glass pipe inspection camera requires a rugged, waterproof protective housing because it is always exposed to dirt, water, chemicals, and physical contact with the pipe.
The latest innovation in the camera head is its self-leveling and pan-and-tilt ability. The former helps the camera to remain upright even with a twisted cable and capture steady footage. The latter enables the head to rotate sideways or upward without adjusting the entire system.
Protective Lens
A scratch-resistant glass window protects the front of the camera lens from dust, grease, and moisture. Sapphire glass is often the go-to choice; it has stronger wear resistance during demanding inspections.
LED Lighting
At times, the inside of the pipes is dark, making it impossible to capture clear visuals. As a result, developers pair the camera head with LED lights. According to the technician’s choice, the light intensity can be dimmed.
Push Cable
The camera alone cannot travel far into the line network. For this reason, technicians use a push cable to carry the camera deeper into the tube for an extensive search for damage. However, the cable must have the right balance of stiffness and flexibility. At the same time, fiberglass provides the strength needed to withstand the pipe’s harsh internal environment while remaining flexible enough to move smoothly around bends and curves.
Cable Reel
The inspection camera’s cable sits on a reel and keeps it organized. Together, the cable and reel make the process of passing and retrieving the camera much easier. Furthermore, the technicians can use the reel to get a rough estimate of how much cable has entered the pipe. Usually, the distance counters on the monitors display this kind of information.
Monitor and Control Unit
The monitor shows the live video or image. Noticeably, some models use LCDs, while others use IPS displays. All the while, each model of glass pipe inspection camera viewer has different screen sizes and resolution quality. More advanced systems have remote controls, touch screens, footage adjustment options, recording capabilities, and cloud storage.
Recording System
Moreover, the high-quality recording feature particularly comes in handy when the image or video has to be documented for future reference. For instance, teams normally review these files during maintenance and repair, property inspections, or customer service.
How Does a Glass Pipe Inspection Camera Work?
● The process starts by creating an access point for the glass pipe inspection camera.
● Next, the technician inserts the visual head into this access point.
● Using the monitor, the technician looks around the pipe and pushes the camera forward.
● If the space is too dark for clear footage, the technician switches on the LED lights from the monitor to make the inside brighter.
● Sensors capture the images or videos, which technicians view on their monitors in real time.
● During the inspection, the glass pipe inspection camera viewer usually displays cable travel distance, date, time, battery status, audio, inspection notes, and camera direction.
A Future-Ready Technology Trusted by Technicians Worldwide
The leadership at IPP Solutions LLC believes in making the job easier for plumbers, utility departments, and maintenance teams through our innovative technologies.
Hence, we have carried this motto and developed a CamGlass pipe inspection camera viewer that you can wear on your head while you work on-site. With this advancement, you can easily view the footage while moving around.
If you wish to know more about our inspection cameras, visit IPP solutions and get a custom service today.
