Product Overview
For facilities where fire risk, heat anomalies, or perimeter intrusion demand detection regardless of lighting or atmospheric conditions, the Axis Q1961-TE is an outdoor thermal bullet camera purpose-built for early warning monitoring. Featuring an uncooled 384×288 microbolometer sensor behind a fixed 13 mm athermalized lens, it delivers a 28° horizontal field of view across a spectral range of 8-14 µm, capturing temperature data where conventional cameras see nothing. The Q1961-TE supports up to 10 configurable polygonal temperature detection areas (expandable to 16 with AXIS OS 12), enabling precise monitoring of specific zones within a scene rather than broad ambient readings. It also integrates a suite of analytics including AXIS Fence Guard, AXIS Motion Guard, and AXIS Loitering Guard, all processed on-device via the ARTPEC-8 SoC with a dedicated deep learning processing unit. Rated IP66, IP67, IK10, and NEMA 4X, and operating across -40°C to 65°C, it is well suited to demanding industrial and perimeter environments where conventional cameras cannot perform reliably.
Key Capabilities
Early Fire Detection Analytics
The Q1961-TE is engineered to detect heat anomalies consistent with smouldering or early-stage ignition before flames develop. Up to 10 polygonal detection zones (16 with AXIS OS 12) allow operators to target specific high-risk areas such as conveyor belts, storage piles, or electrical switchrooms for precise temperature threshold alerts.
384×288 Uncooled Thermal Sensor
The 17 µm pixel microbolometer operates across the 8-14 µm spectral range, detecting temperature differences between -40°C and 350°C. This allows the camera to identify heat sources through complete darkness, light smoke, airborne dust, and fog conditions where RGB cameras lose all useful detail.
ARTPEC-8 with Deep Learning Processing
Onboard processing via the ARTPEC-8 SoC and a dedicated deep learning processing unit handles analytics locally without relying on a server. With 2048 MB RAM and 8192 MB flash storage, the camera can run multiple AXIS analytics applications simultaneously without offloading computational load to the network.
IP66/IP67, IK10 and NEMA 4X Rated
The polycarbonate blend and aluminium housing with a germanium thermal window meets IP66, IP67, IK10, and NEMA 4X standards. This combination makes it resistant to water ingress under sustained exposure, physical impact, and corrosive environments typical of industrial yards, waste facilities, and outdoor infrastructure.
Axis Edge Vault Cybersecurity
The Q1961-TE includes Axis Edge Vault with a TPM 2.0 module certified at FIPS 140-2 Level 2, providing hardware-level protection for device identity and credentials. For government, defence, and critical infrastructure sites where TAA compliance is mandatory, this camera meets that requirement directly.
Multi-Analytics Support via ACAP
Beyond fire detection, the camera supports AXIS Fence Guard, AXIS Motion Guard, AXIS Video Motion Detection, AXIS Loitering Guard, and AXIS Speed Monitor through the AXIS Camera Application Platform. Installers can deploy the camera as a combined thermal intrusion detection and temperature monitoring device within a single housing.
Best For
- Industrial Fire Risk Monitoring: The configurable polygonal detection zones and temperature monitoring range up to 350°C make the Q1961-TE suited to facilities with spontaneous combustion risk, including waste transfer stations, timber yards, mulch storage, and recycling plants.
- Perimeter Security in Low-Visibility Conditions: The 13 mm lens and thermal sensor detect movement and heat signatures through complete darkness, dust, and light smoke at distances well beyond the capability of standard cameras, making it appropriate for large industrial perimeters and outdoor infrastructure.
- Critical Infrastructure and Government Sites: TAA compliance, FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certified TPM, and ONVIF Profile G, M, S, and T support make this camera compatible with the procurement and integration requirements of defence, utilities, and government facilities.
- Extreme Climate Installations: An operating range of -40°C to 65°C and NEMA 4X certification allow deployment in environments ranging from freezing cold storage and outdoor alpine infrastructure to hot industrial processing environments.
Why Choose the Axis Q1961-TE
The Axis Q1961-TE is not a general-purpose surveillance camera. It is a specialised thermal detection instrument built around early fire identification and temperature-based perimeter analytics in environments where conventional imaging fails. The 384×288 uncooled microbolometer with 17 µm pixel pitch provides enough thermal resolution to distinguish individual heat sources within a scene, while the 13 mm athermalized lens maintains focus accuracy across extreme temperature swings without manual recalibration. The ARTPEC-8 processor with DLPU allows analytics to run entirely on-device, reducing latency for alarm triggers in time-critical fire detection scenarios. Competing thermal cameras at a lower price point typically lack the combination of onboard deep learning, FIPS 140-2 Level 2 cybersecurity, and NEMA 4X environmental rating in a single unit. Available through Security Wholesalers, the Q1961-TE is a purpose-engineered solution for buyers who need thermal analytics, hardened physical construction, and verifiable cybersecurity in a single outdoor bullet housing.
Buyer Decision Tips
Lens and Coverage Distance: The 13 mm lens provides a 28° horizontal field of view with a minimum focus distance of 4 m. This narrower field of view is suited to monitoring specific risk zones at distance rather than wide-angle area coverage. If your site requires a broader thermal overview of a large open space, consider whether a shorter focal length thermal lens would better match the detection geometry before specifying this model.
Thermal vs. RGB Integration: The Q1961-TE produces a thermal image only. It does not capture visible-light video. For applications requiring both a thermal alarm trigger and a colour visual recording for evidentiary or identification purposes, this camera is typically deployed alongside a separate RGB camera covering the same zone. Plan your camera count and VMS channel allocation accordingly.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Model |
Axis Q1961-TE 13 mm 8.3 fps (Part No. 02175-001) |
| Sensor Type |
Uncooled microbolometer, 384×288 pixels, 17 µm pixel size |
| Spectral Range |
8-14 µm |
| Lens |
Athermalized 13 mm, F1.0; horizontal FOV 28°; vertical FOV 21° |
| Minimum Focus Distance |
4 m (13 ft) |
| Frame Rate |
8.3 fps |
| Object Temperature Range |
-40°C to 350°C (-40°F to 662°F) |
| Temperature Accuracy |
±5°C below 120°C; ±15% above 120°C |
| Fire Detection Analytics |
Up to 10 polygonal detection zones (16 with AXIS OS 12); spot temperature reading |
| Supported Analytics |
AXIS Fence Guard, Motion Guard, Video Motion Detection, Loitering Guard, Speed Monitor, Zipstream |
| Processor / Memory |
ARTPEC-8 SoC with DLPU; 2048 MB RAM; 8192 MB flash |
| Video Compression |
H.264 (Baseline, Main, High); H.265 Main; Motion JPEG; Axis Zipstream |
| Video Streams |
Up to 20 unique configurable streams; VBR/ABR/MBR |
| Alarm I/O |
1 alarm input / 1 alarm output |
| Audio |
Audio support and audio detection: Yes |
| Power |
PoE Class 3 |
| Environmental Rating |
IP66, IP67, IK10, NEMA 4X |
| Operating Temperature |
-40°C to 65°C (-40°F to 149°F); 10-100% RH (condensing) |
| Cybersecurity |
Axis Edge Vault; TPM 2.0 certified FIPS 140-2 Level 2 |
| Standards and Compliance |
ONVIF Profile G, M, S, T; VAPIX; ACAP; CSA; UL/cUL; UKCA; CE; KC; TAA compliant |
| Housing |
Polycarbonate blend and aluminium; germanium window; white |
| Dimensions / Weight |
272 mm length x 132 mm diameter; 1,400 g (3.1 lb) |
Ideal Use Cases
Waste and Recycling Facilities
Spontaneous combustion in stockpiled waste and recycling material is a known risk. The Q1961-TE’s configurable polygonal detection zones and temperature monitoring up to 350°C allow early identification of heat build-up in specific pile locations before ignition occurs.
Timber, Mulch, and Biomass Storage
Large outdoor stockpiles of organic material generate internal heat that is invisible to standard cameras. The 13 mm thermal lens focused on a specific storage area can trigger temperature threshold alarms for site operators before surface-visible signs of fire appear.
Industrial Perimeter Monitoring
AXIS Fence Guard and AXIS Motion Guard run on the ARTPEC-8 processor, providing perimeter intrusion detection through darkness, dust, and fog at the outer boundary of manufacturing plants, power stations, and utilities infrastructure.
Critical Infrastructure and Government Sites
TAA compliance and FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certified hardware security meet procurement requirements for government, defence, and critical infrastructure projects. ONVIF Profile G, M, S, and T compatibility ensures integration with approved VMS platforms.
Extreme Climate Outdoor Installations
The -40°C to 65°C operating range combined with IP67 and NEMA 4X certification makes the Q1961-TE deployable in cold climate outdoor infrastructure, desert-facing industrial plant walls, or heavily washed-down environments such as food processing facilities.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: Your site requires early fire or heat anomaly detection in a specific zone at distance, operates in extreme temperatures or heavily contaminated atmospheric conditions, needs TAA-compliant hardware with FIPS 140-2 Level 2 cybersecurity, or demands perimeter intrusion analytics that function without any ambient lighting.
- Choose a different model if: You need identifiable visual imagery for evidentiary or access control purposes. This camera produces a thermal image only and cannot capture colour or monochrome visible-light footage. For those applications, pair it with a separate RGB camera on the same scene or select a standard or low-light camera instead.
- Consider lens selection carefully: The 13 mm lens in this configuration provides a 28° field of view, optimised for monitoring a focused area at greater range. If your application requires a wider thermal overview of a broad area from a single mounting point, a shorter focal length thermal variant would be more appropriate for that geometry.
FAQs
- Can the Axis Q1961-TE detect fire before flames are visible?
Yes. The camera’s fire detection analytics are designed to identify temperature anomalies consistent with smouldering or heat build-up well before open flames develop. Using up to 10 configurable polygonal detection zones (expandable to 16 with AXIS OS 12), the camera can be configured to issue an alarm when temperature within a defined area exceeds a set threshold, giving operators time to respond before ignition occurs.
- What does the 13 mm lens mean for coverage distance and field of view?
The 13 mm athermalized lens delivers a 28° horizontal and 21° vertical field of view. This is a relatively narrow field of view designed for focused monitoring of a specific zone at range, such as a conveyor belt, electrical substation, or stockpile location. It is not suited to wide-area overviews from a single camera position. The minimum focus distance is 4 m.
- Does the Q1961-TE work in complete darkness?
Yes. As a thermal camera, the Q1961-TE detects emitted infrared radiation in the 8-14 µm spectral range and does not rely on any visible light to form an image. It operates equally in complete darkness, through light smoke, airborne dust, and in conditions where conventional cameras cannot produce usable imagery. No IR illuminator is fitted or required.
- What does TAA compliance mean for this camera?
TAA (Trade Agreements Act) compliance means the Q1961-TE meets United States federal procurement requirements for country of origin. This is a mandatory requirement for many government, defence, and critical infrastructure projects. The camera also includes Axis Edge Vault with a TPM 2.0 module certified at FIPS 140-2 Level 2, providing hardware-secured device identity and credential storage.
- Can I run multiple analytics applications on this camera at the same time?
Yes. The ARTPEC-8 SoC with an onboard deep learning processing unit and 2048 MB RAM allows multiple AXIS analytics applications to operate concurrently. The camera supports AXIS Fence Guard, AXIS Motion Guard, AXIS Video Motion Detection, AXIS Loitering Guard, and AXIS Speed Monitor alongside the fire detection analytics, all processed locally without offloading to a server.
- What VMS and integration platforms does the Q1961-TE support?
The camera supports ONVIF Profile G, M, S, and T for broad VMS compatibility, as well as Axis VAPIX and the AXIS Camera Application Platform (ACAP) for custom application development. It is compatible with AXIS Camera Station and other third-party VMS platforms that support ONVIF. Up to 20 unique video streams can be configured simultaneously using H.264, H.265, or Motion JPEG.
- Is the Q1961-TE suitable for outdoor installation in harsh environments?
Yes. The housing is rated IP66 and IP67 for water ingress protection, IK10 for impact resistance, and NEMA 4X for corrosive environment resistance. The operating temperature range of -40°C to 65°C covers extreme cold and hot industrial environments. The germanium thermal window is integral to the housing and maintains the IP and IK ratings without compromising thermal sensitivity. Security Wholesalers supplies this camera as part of the Axis thermal product range for industrial and critical infrastructure applications.
Additional Information
AXIS 02175-001 Datasheet
