Corona inspection from a small drone calls for a solar-blind ultraviolet camera that weighs little, runs from the drone's battery and gives up no sensitivity compared with a full-size corona camera. The CoroCAM UVS weighs 740 g (800 g with the thermal module), detects discharges of 5 × 10E-18 W/cm2, equivalent to 3.6 pC at 20 m, with a wide 18° × 13.5° UV field of view for close-up inspection, and draws 12 W from a 9-60 V supply.
CoroCAM UVS key data
- Ultraviolet channel: solar-blind (240-280 nm), typical sensitivity of 5 × 10E-18 W/cm2 (3.6 pC at 20 m), 18° × 13.5° field of view with 4× digital zoom and focus from 3 m to infinity; the detector does not degrade over its life.
- Corona measurement: intensity-based count calibrated for the irradiance of the selected area, with a 20-100% threshold mask and 4 false-colour presets with 100 hues.
- Visible channel: 1920 × 1080, 0.05 lx in day mode and 0.03 lx in night mode, wide dynamic range and useful optical zoom from 24° to 4.5° plus 4-12× digital.
- Optional thermal module: 640 × 512 LWIR with < 50 mK sensitivity and a 32° × 26° or 24° × 19.2° field of view depending on the module; adds UV+LWIR and LWIR-only modes with < 1 mrad overlay accuracy.
- UAV integration: 9-60 V external or UAV battery supply, 12 W consumption and about 3 h on a 40 W battery; Bluetooth setup, SBUS, CAN/RS232 or Ethernet control and HDMI, composite or optional Wi-Fi video.
- Recording: 64 GB micro SD supplied, 720p AVI (H.264) and JPG, over 1000 images or 1 h of video per GB; ready to inspect in 6 s and to record in 60 s.
- In the field: 110 × 143 × 67 mm, horizontal or vertical mounting via a 1/4-inch thread and M3 points, −15 °C to +55 °C, IP44 (IP65 optional), CE and IEC 1010-1 and a 12-month warranty.
Advantages
Full corona sensitivity at drone weight
The solar-blind UV channel (240-280 nm) reaches 5 × 10E-18 W/cm2 — 3.6 pC at 20 m — with a detector that does not degrade over its life.
Sharp visual context
The 1920 × 1080 visible camera works down to 0.03 lx with wide dynamic range, and corona counts are calibrated for the irradiance of the selected area.
Thermal on demand
An optional LWIR module (640 × 512, < 50 mK) adds display modes such as UV+LWIR to the standard UV+VIS, with overlay accuracy better than 1 mrad.
Simple integration
Bluetooth setup, SBUS/CAN/RS232/Ethernet control, HDMI or composite downlink and power directly from the UAV battery (9-60 V, 12 W).
On-board recording
Micro SD of 64 GB supplied: AVI 720p (H.264) and JPG, over 1000 images or an hour of video per GB.
Applications
- UAV corona surveys of overhead lines, insulators and substations in service.
- Combined UV-visible-thermal inspection with the optional module.
- Close-up inspection with wide field of view on smaller drones.
About the product
The CoroCAM UVS weighs 740 g without brackets (800 g with the thermal module) and measures 110 × 143 × 67 mm, mounting horizontally or vertically via a 1/4-inch thread and M3 points. It operates from −15 °C to +55 °C with IP44 protection (optional IP65), boots to inspection in 6 s and ships in a Pelican-style case with a 12-month warranty.
Technical specifications
| UV channel | Solar blind 240-280 nm; 5 × 10E-18 W/cm2; 3.6 pC at 20 m |
| UV field of view | 18° × 13.5°; 4× digital zoom |
| Visible | 1920 × 1080; 0.05/0.03 lx; optical zoom 24° to 4.5° |
| Optional thermal | LWIR 640 × 512; < 50 mK |
| Display modes | UV+VIS, UV+LWIR, single channels, UV priority |
| Control | Bluetooth, SBUS, CAN/RS232, Ethernet; HDMI output |
| Power | 9-60 V external or UAV battery; 12 W; ≈3 h on 40 W |
| Weight and size | 740 g; 110 × 143 × 67 mm; IP44 (IP65 optional) |
| UV focus | Linked to visible with manual override; 3 m to infinity |
| Thermal field of view | 32° × 26° or 24° × 19.2°, depending on module |
| Safety and environment | CE, IEC 1010-1; humidity up to 90%, non-condensing |
Frequently asked questions
Which corona camera suits a small drone?
One that weighs little and runs from the drone itself. The CoroCAM UVS weighs 740 g without brackets, draws 12 W from a 9-60 V supply (about 3 h on a 40 W battery) and keeps a solar-blind ultraviolet sensitivity of 5 × 10E-18 W/cm2, equivalent to 3.6 pC at 20 m.
From what distance does the CoroCAM UVS inspect?
The UV channel focuses from 3 m to infinity and its 18° × 13.5° field of view is wide enough to work close to insulators and fittings; for detail, the visible channel offers useful optical zoom from 24° to 4.5°.
What distinguishes it from a full-size corona camera?
Weight and integration: 740 g for smaller gimbals, powered from the UAV battery, while keeping solar-blind UV sensitivity of 5 × 10E-18 W/cm2.
Can it inspect thermally too?
Yes, with the optional LWIR module (640 × 512, < 50 mK), which enables UV+LWIR and LWIR-only display modes.
How is it set up and controlled?
Setup runs over Bluetooth; in flight, commands enter via SBUS, CAN/RS232 or Ethernet and live video leaves via HDMI, composite output or optional Wi-Fi.
How is corona activity quantified?
By intensity-based count, calibrated for the irradiance value of the selected area, with threshold mask and adjustable integration.
