Ertan power plant security is in the able hands of Infinova

For objects requiring constant surveillance, the plant chose V6102-M series day/night network cameras

Infinova announced that, because of the complexity and limited scalability of its original analogue CCTV system, Western China's 3 million KW Ertan Hydroelectric Power Plant has implemented Infinova's V2216 Video Management System (VMS) to begin a gradual migration to a digital video solution. The software controls all of the plant's IP video surveillance cameras as well as leveraging selected analogue systems, such as the interface to the fire alarm system. In addition, Infinova cameras are located in all areas of the plant.

"This installation is a perfect example of how the Infinova V2216 VMS makes it possible for IP and analogue surveillance cameras and equipment to coexist and be managed as a single seamless solution," emphasises Mark S. Wilson, Infinova Vice President, Marketing. "It lets customers extend the life of their existing analogue equipment by having the new IP solution operate side-by-side with their existing analogue system."

At Ertan, the VMS platform uses an IP storage area network (SAN) for centralised storage and a RAID 5 disk array to increase the storage capacity and to ensure continuity and reliability for the long-term storage archives.

The surveillance system also integrates with the plant's existing Honeywell Vista Series fire alarm system including infrared detectors. The plant's original analogue video system used an Infinova V2431 alarm interface unit to connect the fire alarm system to the CCTV system. The V2216 VMS was able to extend its life by using the same interface. When the alarm system generates an alarm, the Infinova platform switches the video from the camera closest to the alarm detector to the command centre monitor.

Infinova cameras monitor many different environments. For instance, the high risk areas need high definition (HD) cameras to provide HD videos and evidence. Therefore, Infinova V1700N-M series day/night network PTZ cameras were selected for general and patrol surveillance of open areas. For specific objects requiring constant surveillance, the plant chose Infinova V6102-M series day/night network cameras.

All cameras support MPEG-4/M JPEG dual encoding technology and dual streaming with a high resolution stream for live viewing and a lower resolution stream for archiving or for remote users' low bandwidth connections. In addition, the cameras support Power-Over-Ethernet (POE), which reduces construction costs and improves reliability.

More information on Infinova video surveillance solutions is available here.