Photoelectric smoke alarm

The dual smoke detector has both ionization and photoelectric technology inside. While there is some debate regarding the best smoke detector for your home, the general consensus is that ionization smoke alarms are best for detecting rapid flame fires while photoelectric smoke alarms protect against slower, smoldering fires. When smoke enters the chamber, it disrupts the flow of ions, thus reducing the flow of current and activating the alarm. Download this chart on ionization smoke alarms (PDF, 9KB). One such type of fire can occur when a cigarette falls onto a couch cushion.

The second type of smoke detector is photoelectric , which uses a light beam to help detect the presence of smoke. Photoelectric Smoke Alarms. According to NFPA, these alarm types are more effective at sounding when a fire originates from a smoldering source, like a lit cigarette that falls into a couch cushion.

By Skip Walker, ACI, MCI. Imagine your car air bags deploying randomly when you hit a pothole, but failing over half the time in a collision. About photoelectric alarms. They respond to a wide range of fires, but are particularly responsive to smouldering fires and the dense smoke given off by foam-filled furnishings or overheated PVC wiring.

Do you have photoelectric smoke alarms in your home? What is the difference between photoelectric and ionization smoke alarms? Free Shipping Available. It can detect the harmful carbon monoxide even in small portions, which makes your home more secured.

You will be able to hear a very alarming sound when dangerous gases are inside the area. They’re not as prone to false alarms as ionization smoke detectors , but photoelectric alarms may still be randomly set off if dust builds up inside them. Inside the smoke detector there is a light and a sensor, but they are positioned at 90-degree angles to one another, like this: In the normal case, the light from the light source on the left shoots straight across and misses the sensor.

Experts say photoelectric smoke detectors generally won’t cause as many false alarms , but for the ultimate in safety, they recommend opting for a smoke detector with both types of sensors. The photoelectric type is the superior choice between ionisation and photoelectric smoke alarms. And because buying four or five smoke detectors can add up, sometimes price becomes the deciding factor. If your budget is too tight for one of the smoke alarms listed above, that’s okay.

After all, a basic smoke detector is dramatically better than no smoke detector at all. The smoke from the flaming stage of a fire is typically made up of microscopic combustion particles—between 0. Also, ionization detectors are weaker in high air-flow environments, and because of this, the photoelectric smoke detector is more reliable for detecting smoke in both the smoldering and flaming stages of a fire. Sources of these fires may include cigarettes burning in couches or bedding. This smoke alarm pack detects photoelectric smoke with AA batteries for wireless installation and connectivity to other First Alert alarms throughout the home. Smoke detectors for home use are relatively small, and run on 9-volt battery or 120-volt current.

I’ve been hearing more and more about this push, but after recently listening to an impassioned speech on the benefits of photoelectric smoke alarms over ionization alarms , I started taking an informal inventory of the smoke alarms that are installed in Minnesota homes. This hardwired smoke detector uses a photoelectric smoke sensor to reliably detect smoke produced by smoldering fires, helping give you a vital early warning of fire. This alarm uses photoelectric sensing. The best smoke alarms can detect smoke particles, flames, and carbon monoxide. A multifunctional alarm can save you battery life or energy from your house for hard-wired smoke detectors.

While classic ionization and photoelectric smoke detectors are helpful, smart smoke detectors are the cutting edge in fire safety. Find quality smoke detectors online or in store. These contain a photo cell and a light beam shining away from the cell.