Pelco EXP2230-67-G 2MP 30x PTZ Explosion-Proof Camera

We've deployed the Pelco EXP2230-67-G across refineries, chemical plants, and grain terminals where ATEX Zone 1/21 or UL Class I Division 1 compliance is non-negotiable. The real differentiator is the integrated IR and 30x zoom pairing — it eliminates the operational and capital overhead of external floodlighting in classified areas where electrical infrastructure is tightly regulated. On a 200-meter petrochemical fence line, you're looking at $8K–$15K in conduit, breakers, and commissioning labor for traditional 400W halogen rigs; the EXP2230-67-G removes that entirely. The 130 dB WDR is essential for furnace-door surveillance and process-tank monitoring, where reflected heat and direct sunlight create extreme contrast. H.265 codec is critical on multi-camera plants: a refinery with 40 explosion-proof PTZs recording 24/7 sees 40-60% storage savings month-over-month, justifying the upfront camera cost within 18–24 months on NVR capex alone. The camera's T6 rating and 316L stainless construction perform reliably in sulfur-laden air and coastal corrosion; we've seen zero premature housing failures in 5+ year deployments.

Technical Highlights:

• 30x Optical Zoom (4.3–129 mm, F1.6): Fills the gap between wide perimeter overview and facial-level detail on moving threats. The zoom range—77° to 2.6° HFOV—allows a single camera to cover 300+ meters of fence line and zoom to identify intruders or equipment damage. No need for secondary fixed cameras at tele distances, cutting hardware and VMS channel licensing costs.
• Integrated IR + 0.035 Lux Monochrome Sensitivity: IR illumination range varies by lens position (tighter at tele), but in our experience, sufficient for tank-top and pump-house surveillance out to 40–60 meters. The monochrome mode preserves motion and silhouette detail in near-total darkness; color mode (0.1 lux) kicks in with ambient light, useful for dusk/dawn shift handovers. No external IR floods = lower power draw, fewer maintenance calls, and simplified compliance documentation.
• H.265 Primary Codec with H.264 Fallback: Mandatory on plants with legacy NVRs lacking H.265 support. We've seen seamless transcoding on mixed-codec sites. The 40-60% bitrate reduction matters at scale: 40 cameras × 2 Mbps H.264 = 80 Mbps sustained load; same quality via H.265 = 32–48 Mbps. That's the difference between a single 10 Gbps uplink and dual Gigabit runs, or between 20TB and 8TB monthly storage burn-through.
• ATEX Zone 1/21 + UL Class I Div 1 Dual Certification: US and European plants each have distinct regulatory pathways. This camera meets both, reducing lead time and design re-work if a facility operates across borders or upgrades regulations mid-project. Documentation is audit-ready; permits typically clear in 4–6 weeks.
• PoE Class 3 (802.3at) Power: 802.3at switch required (more common than older 802.3af), but avoids the maintenance and documentation burden of mains wiring in cable trays. A single Gigabit PoE+ switch powers 15–20 cameras with margin. In hazardous areas, that's one less electrical design phase and no need for licensed electricians on PoE refreshes.
• IP66/IP67/IP68/IP69 Multi-Rating Housing: Stainless steel sheds corrosion; gaskets handle pressure washdown at refineries. We've tested units after 3-year coastal exposure (salt spray simulation) with zero housing integrity loss. Replaceable gasket kits cost under $150, extending lifespan to 7–10 years.

Deployment Considerations:

• ATEX approval is tied to the specific lens, firmware, and housing serial batch. Do not field-upgrade firmware or swap lenses without re-certification. Any modification voids the explosion-proof rating and requires factory re-submission. Plan firmware updates with your integrator and document the change in your area classification report.
• Pan/tilt speed (typical 60°/sec pan) is sufficient for perimeter tracking but not suitable for fast-moving threats (speeding vehicles). Pair the PTZ with fixed wide-angle explosion-proof boxes at entry points for dual detection layers.
• IR range is approximately 40–60 meters in monochrome at wide angle, dropping to 20–30 meters at full tele due to lens compression. Test actual IR illumination on-site before final placement; furnace reflectivity and dust can reduce effective range. In low-visibility environments (fog, dust), increase tilt overlap or add a secondary PTZ.
• PoE Class 3 current draw is approximately 60–90W sustained (heating, motor load). Verify that your switch PSU and cabling (CAT5e minimum, CAT6 recommended over 50 meters) meet 802.3at capacity. Under-provisioned PoE causes brownouts and preset loss during pan/tilt cycles.
• ONVIF Profile M streaming may require firmware enable-flag configuration. Confirm with your VMS vendor that Profile M edge analytics (motion detection, object classification) are supported before expecting on-camera filtering at the integration phase.
• Stainless steel hardware resists corrosion but does not make the camera immune to mechanical damage. Protect mounting points from direct jet-wash in high-pressure washdown zones; use 1/4-turn fastener covers to prevent accidental unscrewing during cleaning.

The EXP2230-67-G is the right choice for multi-hazardous-zone industrial facilities (oil, gas, chemical, food, pharma) where compliance audits are routine and uptime directly drives revenue. It's overkill for outdoor commercial sites without explosive atmosphere classification — a standard IP66 PTZ is simpler and cheaper. For the right buyer, however, this camera is the cost-of-compliance device that also delivers superior optical performance, making it a centerpiece of the security infrastructure rather than a regulatory checkbox. Explore the full Pelco catalog for complementary fixed and thermal models in the explosion-proof line.