Preventive maintenance of inspection cameras: complete guide
A well-maintained inspection system lasts years longer and prevents breakdowns at the worst possible moment. The difference between equipment that fails mid-job and equipment that performs reliably for years is almost always down to daily care.
After each use: basic cleaning
Post-use cleaning is the most important habit and the most frequently skipped. Sewer pipes contain Hâ‚‚S (hydrogen sulphide), grease, detergents and abrasive particles that, if left to dry on the cable and camera head, accelerate material deterioration.
Camera head and first metres of cable
- ✓ Clean with clean water at low pressure — never with a high-pressure jet washer directed at the camera head or connector
- ✓ Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth — the sapphire lens does not scratch easily, but wet residue on the lens will produce blurry images at the next use
- ✓ Visually inspect the lens: if visible scratches appear, inspection image quality will be degraded
- ✓ Check the seal visually: if the camera head was exposed to intense H₂S or chemicals, inspect the O-ring seal
Cable and reel
- ✓ Re-wind the cable evenly and uniformly — avoid leaving it in tight coils that fatigue the cable
- ✓ Clean the reel guide channel with a damp cloth to remove sediment residue
- ✓ Inspect the cable in the first 2–3 metres: this is the zone that accumulates the most flex and where micro-cracks first appear
Weekly inspection
Connectors and terminals
Aviation-type connectors are the most common water ingress point when IP68 protection begins to fail. Once a week, check:
- ✓ That the pins show no oxidation (greenish or brownish appearance)
- ✓ That the connector screws and unscrews firmly but without excessive effort
- ✓ Apply a drop of dielectric lubricant to the pins if the equipment operates in brackish water environments
Control unit / case
- ✓ Clean the screen with a dry microfibre cloth — never with solvents
- ✓ Check that USB and SD card ports show no dirt or moisture
- ✓ Verify the battery level and that charging completes within the normal time
Monthly inspection
Camera head water-tightness test
Although Otter Store camera heads are IP68 certified, the seal can be compromised by impacts, extreme compression in reducers or O-ring wear. Once a month, submerge the camera head in clean water for 10 minutes and observe whether air bubbles appear — a sign of seal failure.
Cable inspection
Extend the cable fully (or in 10-metre sections) and visually inspect the entire length. Pay special attention to:
- ✓ Permanent kinks or bends that do not recover when the cable is straightened
- ✓ Areas where the outer sheath is cracked or has changed colour
- ✓ The first 50 cm from the camera head and the last 50 cm before the reel — the highest fatigue zones
When to take the equipment to the technical service?
Some symptoms indicate that the equipment requires inspection by specialist technical personnel, beyond routine preventive maintenance:
| Symptom | Probable cause | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Image with internal fogging | Moisture ingress in camera head | High — stop using |
| Image with lines or interference | Damaged cable or corroded connector | Medium |
| Irregular or unlit LEDs | LED failure or internal connection fault | Medium |
| Battery does not charge or lasts less than 1h | Degraded battery | Low |
| Broken cable or open sheath | Wear or impact | High — electrical risk |
| Loss of 512 Hz sonde signal | Internal transmitter failure | Medium |
Loan equipment while yours is being repaired
A breakdown at the wrong moment can cost a contract. At Otter Store we have loan equipment available for customers who need to keep working while their equipment is under repair. Ask about the terms when contacting our technical service.
Does your equipment need servicing?
Contact our technical service. We assess the equipment condition, provide a repair quote and, if needed, arrange loan equipment so you can keep working.
Contact technical service