By the SightShield team · · 3 min read
The season that breaks equipment
Bangalore’s southwest monsoon runs roughly from June to September, followed by the northeast monsoon rains in October and November. Heavy downpours, wind-driven rain, waterlogging and lightning cause a spike in CCTV and gate faults every year: cameras fog up, cable joints corrode, gate motors in underground pits flood, and surges take out switch ports. Almost all of it is preventable with a little preparation.
Where water gets in
| Weak point | What happens | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Cable joints and connectors | Water runs along the cable into the camera or joint | Weatherproof junction boxes, sealed connectors, drip loops |
| Camera housings | Fogging, moisture inside the lens | IP66/IP67 cameras, tight covers, desiccant where supplied |
| Video door phone outdoor units | Corroded buttons and speakers | Rain hood, weatherproof models, sealed cable entry |
| Underground gate motors | Pit floods and motor fails | Clean pit drains, proper drainage, rated motors |
| Outdoor sirens and sensors | Water entry and false alarms | Weatherproof models, sheltered positions |
Cameras and cables
- Use outdoor cameras rated IP66 or IP67.
- Put every outdoor connection inside a weatherproof junction box, not wrapped in tape.
- Form a drip loop — a downward curve in the cable before it enters a camera or box — so water drips off.
- Seal wall entry holes with silicone, and angle them downward to the outside.
- Use UV-resistant conduit or casing on terraces and parapets.
Lightning and surges
Pre-monsoon and monsoon thunderstorms bring lightning that induces surges in long outdoor cables. A surge can travel back to the PoE switch and NVR and damage several devices at once. Fit surge protectors on long outdoor camera runs and on gate motor power, make sure the building has proper earthing, and put the NVR, switch and router on a UPS with surge protection.
Lightning and surge protection for CCTV →Gate motors
- Clear the drainage of underground swing motor pits before the rains.
- Check sliding gate tracks for silt and stones after heavy rain.
- Make sure control boards are in sealed boxes, raised above splash level.
- Test photocells and safety sensors; rain and mud can block them.
- Know how to open the gate manually in case of a fault.
Night picture problems in the rain
Rain, mist and insects attracted by infrared lights make night images hazy and trigger false motion alerts. Clean domes and lenses before the season, remove spider webs, and use human detection rather than basic motion. Colour night vision cameras with a little ambient light often handle rainy nights better than IR.
Why CCTV is blurry at night →Pre-monsoon checklist
- Inspect and reseal all outdoor junction boxes and cable entries.
- Clean camera domes and remove webs.
- Check earthing and surge protectors.
- Test UPS batteries — power cuts increase in storms.
- Clear gate pit drains and tracks; test gate safety sensors.
- Check video door phone outdoor units for moisture.
- Confirm recordings from every camera during a rainy night.
An example
A villa in Yelahanka lost three cameras and two switch ports in one July storm. The investigation found taped joints on the terrace, no surge protection on a 60-metre run to the gate camera, and no drip loops. After rebuilding the joints in junction boxes, adding surge protectors and fixing earthing, the system came through the following two monsoons without a fault.
Get a pre-monsoon check
Our AMC includes a pre-monsoon inspection of outdoor cameras, joints, surge protection and gate motors.
CCTV AMC →Quick answers
Why does my CCTV camera fog up in the monsoon?+
Moisture has entered through a loose cover or cable joint, or humidity is condensing inside. Reseal it, and replace cameras that are not properly rated.
Is tape enough to protect outdoor cable joints?+
No. Use weatherproof junction boxes and sealed connectors.
Can lightning damage CCTV?+
Yes, through surges on long outdoor cables. Surge protectors and proper earthing help.
How do I protect an underground gate motor?+
Keep the pit drainage clear and check it before and during the monsoon.
What is a drip loop?+
A downward curve in a cable before it enters a device, so water drips off instead of running in.