Product Overview
Designed for surveillance in explosive atmospheres, the Axis XFQ1656 Explosion-Protected Image Sensor Unit delivers 4MP imaging at up to 60 fps inside an electropolished SUS316L stainless steel housing rated to IP66, IP67, and IP68. SKU 02462-101 is the standalone image sensor unit within the XFQ1656 platform, certified Ex db IIC T5 Gb, Ex tb IIIC T100°C Db, and Class I/II/III Division 1 Groups B through G, making it compliant for deployment in Zone 1 and Zone 21 hazardous locations including oil refineries, gas processing facilities, chemical plants, and offshore platforms. Featuring a varifocal 3.9-10mm i-CS lens with remote zoom, autofocus, and P-Iris control, the sensor can be framed and adjusted without entering the hazardous zone. It also integrates the ARTPEC-8 SoC with a built-in Deep Learning Processing Unit, enabling on-device analytics including PPE monitoring, smoke and fire detection, and active tampering alarms. This makes it suited to sites where both explosive atmosphere compliance and intelligent video analytics are mandatory requirements.
Key Capabilities
Hazardous Area Explosion Certification
Certified Ex db IIC T5 Gb, Ex tb IIIC T100°C Db, and Class I/II/III Division 1, the XFQ1656 sensor unit is approved for Zone 1 and Zone 21 environments, covering gas, vapour, dust, and fibre hazards at the most demanding industrial sites.
4MP Imaging at 60 fps
Capturing at 2688×1512 resolution and up to 60 frames per second, this sensor unit maintains fluid, detail-rich video across active industrial environments. WDR operation runs at 30 fps, retaining usable detail across high-contrast scenes such as lit process areas against dark exteriors.
Remote Varifocal i-CS Lens
The 3.9-10mm varifocal i-CS lens with P-Iris control, autofocus, and remote zoom allows operators to adjust framing and focus without physically entering the hazardous zone, reducing exposure risk and simplifying post-installation fine-tuning across a horizontal field of view of 81 to 47 degrees.
On-Device AI Analytics
The ARTPEC-8 SoC with integrated Deep Learning Processing Unit runs AXIS Object Analytics locally, including PPE monitoring for missing hardhat detection, smoke and fire detection, video motion detection, shock detection, and active tampering alarms, reducing reliance on constant remote processing.
IP68 Stainless Steel Casing
The electropolished SUS316L stainless steel body carries simultaneous IP66, IP67, and IP68 ratings, providing continuous immersion resistance alongside protection against high-pressure washdowns and corrosive industrial atmospheres including salt spray, chemical vapours, and offshore environments.
AXIS Edge Vault Cybersecurity
AXIS Edge Vault with a FIPS-certified TPM provides hardware-level protection for device credentials, firmware signing, and secure key storage. This is particularly relevant on critical infrastructure networks where device integrity verification is part of compliance requirements.
Best For
- Oil and Gas Facilities: Zone 1 Ex db IIC T5 Gb and Division 1 certifications allow safe deployment in areas where flammable gases or vapours are present under normal operating conditions.
- Chemical and Petrochemical Plants: The electropolished SUS316L stainless steel casing and IP68 rating resist chemical vapour corrosion and high-pressure washdowns common in process manufacturing environments.
- Offshore Platforms and Marine Industrial Sites: Combined salt-spray resistance, IP68 immersion rating, and -40°C to 60°C operating range make this sensor unit suitable for harsh marine industrial conditions.
- Sites Requiring PPE and Safety Compliance Monitoring: On-device AXIS Object Analytics with missing hardhat detection supports automated PPE compliance monitoring across active work zones without additional edge processing hardware.
Why Choose the Axis XFQ1656 Image Sensor Unit
The XFQ1656 image sensor unit (02462-101) is built for environments where standard network cameras are simply not approved for use. Its simultaneous Ex db IIC T5 Gb, Ex tb IIIC T100°C Db, and Class I/II/III Division 1 certifications span gas, vapour, dust, and fibre hazard categories, covering a wider compliance scope than many single-rated explosion-proof alternatives. The 4MP sensor running at up to 60 fps, the remote-adjustable i-CS varifocal lens, and the ARTPEC-8 processor with DLPU deliver imaging and analytics capabilities well beyond basic explosion-proof cameras that offer fixed lenses and no on-device intelligence. The included 128 GB SD card, SFP network connector, RS485 serial port, and PoE IEEE 802.3bt Type 3 support provide flexible deployment options for complex industrial installations. Available through Security Wholesalers, the XFQ1656 is a purpose-engineered sensor unit for facilities where both regulatory compliance and operational insight are non-negotiable requirements.
Buyer Decision Tips
Sensor Unit vs. Complete Camera: SKU 02462-101 is the image sensor unit component of the XFQ1656 platform, not a fully self-contained camera. Confirm whether your installation requires this unit as part of a larger XFQ1656 system configuration or whether a complete standalone unit is needed. Check the full XFQ1656 platform documentation on the Axis website to understand how this sensor unit integrates with associated housing and mounting components before ordering.
Hazardous Zone Classification Matching: Confirm the specific zone classification and gas/dust group for your site before specifying this unit. The XFQ1656 covers Ex db IIC T5 Gb (Zone 1, gas groups A/B/C/D) and Ex tb IIIC T100°C Db (Zone 21, dust groups). If your site is classified as Zone 2 only, a less costly Ex ec or nA-rated camera may satisfy the classification requirement. Engage a certified hazardous area assessor to confirm the zone and T-class before final specification.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| SKU |
02462-101 |
| Product Type |
Explosion-protected image sensor unit |
| Resolution |
4MP (2688×1512) |
| Frame Rate |
Up to 60 fps; 30 fps with WDR active |
| Lens |
Varifocal 3.9-10mm, F1.5, i-CS, P-Iris, autofocus, IR corrected, remote zoom and focus |
| Horizontal Field of View |
81 degrees to 47 degrees |
| Vertical Field of View |
45 degrees to 27 degrees |
| Minimum Focus Distance |
0.5 m |
| Minimum Illumination (Colour) |
0.05 lux |
| Minimum Illumination (B/W) |
0.01 lux |
| IR Illumination |
No dedicated IR; day/night via automatic IR-cut filter and hybrid IR filter |
| Video Compression |
H.264, H.265 with Zipstream, Motion JPEG |
| Processor |
ARTPEC-8 SoC with Deep Learning Processing Unit (DLPU); 2048 MB RAM, 8192 MB Flash |
| Analytics |
AXIS Object Analytics, PPE monitoring (missing hardhat detection), smoke and fire detection, video motion detection, shock detection, active tampering alarm |
| Cybersecurity |
AXIS Edge Vault, FIPS-certified TPM |
| Storage |
128 GB SD card included |
| Power |
PoE IEEE 802.3bt Type 3 Class 6 (typical 11.5W, max 51W); 100-240V AC |
| Network Connectors |
RJ45 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T PoE; SFP connector |
| Audio |
3.5mm mic/line in (optional external microphone); 3.5mm line out |
| I/O |
Supervised I/O; RS485 serial port |
| Ingress Protection |
IP66, IP67, IP68 |
| Casing Material |
Electropolished SUS316L (EN 1.4404) stainless steel |
| Explosion Certifications |
Ex db IIC T5 Gb; Ex tb IIIC T100°C Db; Class I/II/III Div 1 Groups B, C, D, E, F, G; Class I Zone 1 AEx db IIC T5 Gb; Zone 21 AEx tb IIIC T100°C Db |
| Operating Temperature |
-40°C to 60°C (-40°F to 140°F) |
Ideal Use Cases
Oil Refinery Process Areas
Zone 1 Ex db IIC T5 Gb certification allows installation in areas where flammable gases or vapours may be present under normal operating conditions, covering the most common hydrocarbon groups found in refinery environments.
Gas Compression and Transfer Stations
The -40°C to 60°C operating range and IP68 casing allow this sensor unit to function reliably in exposed outdoor gas infrastructure, including compressor stations and metering facilities subject to extreme temperature cycles and pressurised washdowns.
Chemical Plant Work Zones with PPE Requirements
AXIS Object Analytics with on-device PPE monitoring detects workers without hardhats, enabling automated compliance alerts across Zone 1 classified areas without requiring separate edge processing hardware outside the hazardous zone.
Offshore Platforms and Marine Industrial Installations
Electropolished SUS316L stainless steel combined with IP68 rating and Zone 1 gas group IIC coverage addresses the corrosive salt-spray atmosphere and explosive gas hazards present on offshore drilling platforms and marine processing facilities.
Dust-Classified Industrial Environments
Ex tb IIIC T100°C Db and Class II/III Division 1 Groups E, F, G certification extends the XFQ1656 sensor unit’s suitability to flour mills, grain handling facilities, wood processing plants, and other combustible dust environments beyond gas-only hazardous areas.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: Your site carries a Zone 1 or Zone 21 hazardous area classification and requires a 4MP sensor unit with on-device AI analytics, remote varifocal lens adjustment, and ARTPEC-8 processing inside a certified explosion-proof stainless steel housing.
- Choose a different model if: Your installation site is classified Zone 2 only, where a lower Ex ec or nA-rated camera may meet the classification at reduced cost. Similarly, if a complete standalone explosion-proof camera rather than a sensor unit component is required, review the broader XFQ1656 platform lineup on the Axis website to identify the appropriate complete-system SKU.
- Choose a different model if: Your application does not require hazardous area certification and the installation is in a standard industrial or outdoor environment. Industrial-grade IP67/IP68 stainless steel cameras without explosion certification will typically offer lower cost and greater mounting flexibility for non-classified locations.
FAQs
- What is SKU 02462-101 and how does it differ from the complete XFQ1656 camera?
SKU 02462-101 is the standalone image sensor unit within the XFQ1656 platform, not a fully self-contained camera system. It is designed to integrate within the broader XFQ1656 assembly. If you require a complete, plug-in-and-go explosion-protected camera unit, review the full XFQ1656 platform documentation on the Axis website to confirm which SKU covers the complete system configuration for your project.
- What hazardous zone classifications does the XFQ1656 sensor unit cover?
It is certified for Zone 1 (gas, Ex db IIC T5 Gb) and Zone 21 (combustible dust, Ex tb IIIC T100°C Db), and carries North American Class I/II/III Division 1 Groups B through G. This covers hydrogen, acetylene, ethylene, propane, methane, metal dusts, coal dust, grain dust, and wood fibre, making it suitable for a wide range of hazardous industrial environments.
- Can the lens be adjusted without entering the hazardous zone?
Yes. The 3.9-10mm i-CS varifocal lens supports remote zoom and autofocus control via the camera’s network interface, allowing operators to frame the scene and optimise focus from outside the Zone 1 or Zone 21 boundary after installation. This is a practical safety benefit for commissioning in live hazardous areas.
- Does the XFQ1656 sensor unit have a built-in IR illuminator for night vision?
No. This unit does not include a dedicated IR illuminator. It achieves low-light sensitivity through an automatic IR-cut filter and hybrid IR filter, with a minimum illumination of 0.05 lux in colour and 0.01 lux in black and white. For unlit hazardous areas requiring night monitoring, supplementary ATEX-certified or Ex-rated lighting will be needed.
- What analytics run on-device without an external server?
AXIS Object Analytics runs locally on the ARTPEC-8 processor with its integrated DLPU. This includes PPE monitoring for missing hardhat detection, smoke and fire detection, video motion detection, shock detection, and active tampering alarms. All of these process on the sensor unit itself, reducing network bandwidth demands and removing the need for an external AI processing appliance in the hazardous area.
- What power options are available for this sensor unit?
The XFQ1656 sensor unit supports PoE IEEE 802.3bt Type 3 Class 6, drawing a typical 11.5W and up to a maximum of 51W depending on configuration. It also supports 100-240V AC power input, giving flexibility for installations where PoE infrastructure is not available or where higher power draw from connected accessories requires direct AC supply.
- Is this sensor unit available through Security Wholesalers for Australian projects?
Yes. The Axis XFQ1656 Explosion-Protected Image Sensor Unit (02462-101) is part of the Security Wholesalers range. For project pricing, volume enquiries, or technical pre-sales support on hazardous area camera specifications, contact Security Wholesalers directly to discuss your site requirements before placing an order.
Additional Information
AXIS 02462-101 Datasheet
