UL 2802 2020-04 PDF

Full title and description

UL 2802 — Standard for Performance Testing of Camera Image Quality. Defines objective, repeatable test methods and scoring to assess digital camera image quality for security and video-imaging applications, producing performance scores that support product comparison and specification.

Abstract

UL 2802 establishes a production-unit test program and scoring methodology to evaluate critical image-quality attributes of video and digital cameras (including security cameras and associated encoders/viewing software). The standard produces per-test performance scores and guidance to help select cameras for specific use cases (for example, low-light sensitivity or wide dynamic range).

General information

• Status: Active (current UL standard).
• Publication date: Published September 20, 2013; last revision April 7, 2020 (redline/revision issued April 07, 2020).
• Publisher: Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• ICS / categories: Telecommunications / audio & video engineering — ICS 33 (audio, video and audiovisual engineering), commonly catalogued under audiovisual/video-technology classifications.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (with revisions/redline updates reflected in 2014 and 2020).
• Number of pages: Typical published PDF/print edition listed at 44 pages (edition content may vary with revisions).

Scope

This standard defines a method to determine video camera digital image quality ratings through a series of performance-based tests conducted on production camera units. It applies to digital images produced from individual video frames or still captures and produces a performance score for each test; safety requirements (where applicable) are covered separately. The standard is intended for security video cameras, digital video cameras and analogue cameras used with digital encoders and viewing/configuration software.

Key topics and requirements

• Objective performance testing methodology for production camera units (test criteria and test methods defined in specific sections).
• Per-test Performance Scores to enable apples-to-apples comparison between camera models.
• Measured attributes including image resolution/sharpness, TV distortion, relative illumination, maximum frame rate, sensitivity, veiling glare, dynamic range, grey level, and bad-pixel count.
• Guidance on test configuration, camera configuration locking, and limits on which configuration changes require retesting.
• Tolerance specifications, figures and clarifications introduced in the April 7, 2020 revision (redline) to improve repeatability.

Typical use and users

Used by camera manufacturers for independent performance verification and certification, by testing and certification laboratories, by systems integrators and specifiers to compare camera models, and by procurement teams in security, transportation, retail and critical infrastructure to select cameras that meet application-specific image-quality needs.

Related standards

Complementary standards and documents include UL standards for security products and software (e.g., other UL security and performance standards), and international video-surveillance standards such as the IEC 62676 series (video surveillance systems) which address wider system, transmission and application aspects. These standards are often used together when specifying, testing, installing, and certifying surveillance solutions.

Keywords

UL 2802, camera image quality, performance testing, video surveillance, image resolution, dynamic range, sensitivity, relative illumination, veiling glare, bad pixels, security cameras.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: UL 2802 is a UL standard that defines objective test methods and scoring to evaluate digital/video camera image quality for production camera units, producing per-test performance scores to support comparison and selection.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers a set of performance-based tests and scoring for camera image-quality attributes (resolution, distortion, relative illumination, frame rate, sensitivity, veiling glare, dynamic range, grey level, bad pixels, etc.), plus test setup, criteria and method details; safety requirements applicable to camera products are referenced in the standard.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Camera manufacturers, independent test labs and certifiers, systems integrators, security specifiers, procurement teams and customers who require objective image-quality data to select or validate camera performance for specific use cases.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The standard is active; the edition is Edition 1 with a notable revision/redline dated April 7, 2020 (the published original edition date is September 20, 2013). Users should confirm they have the latest revision/redline before applying requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: UL developed UL 2802 as part of a broader effort to create related standards that evaluate digital video systems (transmission, storage, analytics and displays); it is one element used together with other security and video-system standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Camera image quality, performance testing, security camera, resolution, dynamic range, sensitivity, veiling glare, relative illumination, UL 2802.