Your outdoor CCTV will need to work harder than any other camera on your property. It’s exposed to driving rain off the Atlantic, salt air, high winds, and sharp frosts in the winter. 

Not every camera is built to cope. At CCTV Galway we see the results of the wrong camera in the wrong spot more often than you’d think. 

We’ve put together this guide of what matters when choosing an outdoor security camera for a Galway property. 

Understanding the IP Rating Before You Buy

Every outdoor camera has an IP (Ingress Protection) rating, usually shown as ‘IP’ followed by two numbers, e.g. IP66. This tells you how well the camera’s casing keeps out dust and water.

The first number tells you how dust-resistant the casing is. A 6 means it’s fully sealed against dust, a 5 means small amounts may get in over time. This is important if the camera is exposed to farmland or building dust. 

The second number, tells you how water resistant it is. A 5 means it can handle spray and driving rain, while a 7 means it’s fully waterproof. For most Galway homes and businesses, we’d recommend nothing lower than IP65, and IP66 or above for anything fully exposed. 

Why Local Weather Is Important To Consider

Salt air speeds up corrosion, so coastal properties benefit from fully sealed units despite the IP rating on paper. 

Wind matters too, a lightweight camera on a long bracket can be knocked out of position during a storm. So, mounting strength and bracket quality need as much attention as the rating itself. 

And Galway’s changeable climate means condensation inside poorly sealed housing can fog the lens or damage internals. 

Get the Right Camera for Your Specific Spot 

There’s no single ‘best’ outdoor camera, the right choice depends on where it’s going and how exposed it is. 

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation site survey, and we’ll recommend a system built for your property, not just a generic outdoor spec sheet.