By the SightShield team · · 3 min read
The short answer
IK10 is the highest impact rating in the common scale. An IK10 camera is built to survive a hard blow — someone hitting it with a stick or throwing a stone. Use IK10 cameras wherever a camera can be reached or targeted: lifts, staircases, low entrances, parking areas, public-facing shops and factory gates.
What the IK scale means
The IK code comes from the international standard IEC 62262 and measures resistance to impact, in joules. IK10 equals 20 joules — the same as a 5 kg weight dropped from 40 cm onto the housing.
| Rating | Impact energy | Roughly equal to |
|---|---|---|
| IK07 | 2 J | 500 g dropped from 40 cm |
| IK08 | 5 J | 1.7 kg dropped from 30 cm |
| IK09 | 10 J | 5 kg dropped from 20 cm |
| IK10 | 20 J | 5 kg dropped from 40 cm |
Where vandal-resistant cameras are worth it
- Lifts and lift lobbies in apartments and offices.
- Staircases and basements where nobody is watching live.
- Shop fronts, ATMs and counters that face the public.
- Factory gates, loading bays and labour entrances.
- Schools, hostels and sports areas.
- Any camera mounted below about 3 metres.
Why the dome shape helps
Vandal-resistant cameras are usually domes. A metal base and a thick polycarbonate cover leave nothing to grab or twist. It is also hard to see which way the lens points, so a would-be vandal cannot easily tell whether they are in view. Bullet cameras, by contrast, can be knocked off-angle or covered easily if they are within reach.
Installation matters as much as the rating
- Mount out of reach where you can — height is the cheapest protection.
- Run cable inside the wall or through conduit, never as an exposed loop someone can pull.
- Use tamper-proof screws on cameras within reach.
- Turn on tamper or video-loss alerts so the recorder warns you if a camera is covered or disconnected.
- Place a second camera so it watches the first one in high-risk spots — anyone attacking a camera is then recorded.
Limits to keep in mind
IK10 protects against impact, not against spray paint, tape over the dome, or someone cutting an exposed cable. Tamper alerts and good cable routing cover those. Also remember that a hard-hit dome cover can scratch; keep a spare cover for high-risk areas.
For outdoor locations, check the weather rating too. Most vandal domes are IP66/IP67 as well as IK10.
Lift cameras: a special case
- Use slim, vandal-resistant cameras designed for lift cars.
- Use lift travelling cable or a wireless lift bridge to carry video from the moving car.
- Mount in a top corner, covering the door and the whole car.
- Check images under the lift lighting, which often causes glare.
- Coordinate with the lift maintenance company before work.
Choosing the right camera for each spot
Not every camera needs to be IK10, but the ones people can reach usually should. During a survey we mark which positions need vandal-resistant cameras and plan cable routes so nothing is exposed.
Book a free site survey →Quick answers
Is IK10 the same as bulletproof?+
No. IK10 means the camera survives a 20-joule impact, like a hard blow with a stick or a thrown stone. It is not designed to stop bullets.
Are IK10 cameras much more expensive?+
They usually cost a little more than a standard dome of the same resolution. For cameras within reach, the extra cost is small compared with replacing a broken camera.
Do I need IK10 cameras at home?+
Only for cameras within easy reach, such as a low gate camera. Cameras mounted high under the eaves rarely need it.
Can vandal-resistant cameras be used outdoors?+
Yes, if they also have a suitable weather rating such as IP66 or IP67.
What happens if someone covers the camera?+
Tamper detection on many cameras sends an alert when the view is blocked or changed.