Photoelectric smoke alarms Photoelectric alarms work using a photoelectric sensor and a light source. As smoke enters the chamber and crosses the path of the light beam, light is scattered by the smoke particles, aiming it toward the sensor, which in turn triggers the alarm.
What are the 3 types of smoke detectors?
There are three types of smoke alarms, ionization, photoelectric and a combination of the two which is commonly called a “dual” detector.
Is ionization or photoelectric smoke detector better?
Ionization smoke alarms tend to respond faster to the smoke produced by flaming fires than photoelectric smoke alarms. Photoelectric smoke alarms tend to respond faster to the smoke produced by smoldering fires than ionization smoke alarms.
What are the different types of smoke detectors?
There are two types of smoke alarms in general use for home smoke alarms: photoelectric and ionization. These smoke alarms sense the presence of smoke differently. The type of smoke produced by a fire depends on the type of fire. Flaming fires produce a different type of smoke than smoldering fires.
Which type of smoke detector is best?
Photoelectric smoke detectors are best at detecting the large particles typical of smoky, smoldering fires but poor at detecting fast, flaming fires. Photoelectric units are less prone to false alarms from burnt food, so they may be a better fit in kitchen areas.
What are the types of detectors?
There are two main types of detectors: photon detectors and thermal detectors. All detectors have similar characteristics: The output of a detector must respond to changes in the incident light intensity. The ability to respond is expressed by quantities such as responsivity, sensitivity, and dynamic range.