How Photoelectric & Ionization Smoke Detectors Work
You can find two main types of smoke detectors ionization and photoelectric detectors. Normally a smoke alarm uses a single or both methods such as the Kidde PI2000 or the Kidde PI9000. You can find models that have an incorporated heat detector to warn in the event of fire. Usually these devices are powered by either a 9 volt battery, a lithium battery or even through the 120 volt house wiring.
Ionization smoke detectors like the Kidde I12060 consist of an ionization chamber and a supply of ionizing radiation. The source of the ionization radiation is alpha particles. While the ionization chamber is made up of a couple of plates placed about 1 centimetre apart from each other. The electric supply applies a voltage to the plates charging the plates one a positive charge and the other a negative charge. The positively charge nitrogen and oxygen atoms are attracted to the negative plate. On the other hand the electrons are attracted to the positive plate therefore generating a tiny but continuous current. As smoke enters the ionization chamber the smoke fragments stick to the ions and neutralize them. Then the resulting drop in current between the two plates will trigger the alarm.
A particular type of photoelectric detector is when the smoke blocks a light beam. Therefore the reduced light that reaches the photocell triggers the alarm. But the most common type of photoelectric detectors is when light is scattered by smoke particles on a photocell which in turn it will trigger the alarm. When smoke is present the light will be scattered by the smoke particles and some of the light is directed to strike the photocell. As the light accumulates to a certain level the alarm is then set off.
Both types of smoke detectors are efficient detectors. They both have to pass the same tests to be certified UL smoke detectors. Photoelectric detectors respond more quickly to smoldering fires while on the other hand ionization detectors respond more quickly to flaming fires that have smaller combustion particles.
In both types of detectors when the presence of steam or high humidity can build condensation on the circuit which will inadvertently trigger the alarm. A useful feature in an ionization detector is when the battery starts to fail and an alarm will trigger that the battery needs to be replaced prior the detectors become inoperable. One can also use back up batteries on photoelectric detectors.
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