Flame Sensors, Their Use, and Common Types
For countless environments, vehicles, and systems, having the ability to detect the presence of a fire or flames is paramount for upholding safety. For a stark majority of fire detection technology, the detection of a fire is made possible through the detection of heat, particulate matter from smoke, or light from the flame. Depending on the application, certain methods of detection may not be optimal, such as detecting flame heat when hot pipes are present or detecting particle matter when other environmental substances are present. Flame sensors or flame detectors are an extremely advantageous option, capable of detecting flames in less than a second through optical means.
While flames are not always present when a fire is occurring, optimal flame sensors are best used in areas where highly combustible materials are present, unsupervised areas have a fire risk, or where instantaneous responses are needed. There are also different types of flame sensors that one may use, each varying in its capabilities and features. As of the present, the four main types of sensor options include the ultraviolet sensor, infrared sensor, visible sensor, and IR3 flame detector.
When combustible materials ignite, they will immediately begin emitting UV radiation. With an ultraviolet sensor, emitted radiation can be detected in a matter of 3 or 4 milliseconds. With such intense capabilities, ultraviolet sensors often need to have a time delay set for 2 to 3 seconds so that false alarms are avoided as a result of sunlight, lightning, etc. If one intends to use a UV sensor, it is important to note that solar-blind UV wavelength band detection is deterred when oily contaminants are present.
An infrared flame sensor detects common hot gas patterns present in the infrared spectral band, doing so with the use of thermographic cameras and thermal imaging cameras. When a flame burns, much of the IR radiation may be absorbed by water. Because of this, an infrared flame sensor is not the most optimal for outdoor settings.
While UV and IR sensors detect radiation that is imperceptible to the human eye, visible sensors utilize radiation patterns that are understood by humans. For the most accurate readings, visible sensors are often paired together with UV or IR sensors to enhance their ability to collect information and avoid false alarms. One example of a combination device is the corona camera, featuring a UV and visible sensor to detect flames over long distances.
The final type is the IR3 flame detector, and they compare radiation patterns of three separate IR spectral bands, utilizing the ratio of each to make a reading. Through the process of detecting one radiation band within the 4.4 micrometer range and two other bands above and below the aforementioned range, the IR3 flame detector can separate flame and non-flame radiation emissions. By removing any detection of background radiation, the IR3 flame detector achieves some of the most accurate results.
When you need various flame sensors and detectors, look no further than ASAP Aviation Unlimited. Owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, we operate with AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B accreditation. We encourage you to explore our massive inventory containing over 2 billion items at your leisure, and all listings are ready for purchase at any time. If you find items of interest and wish to have a competitive quote for your comparisons, simply fill out and submit an RFQ form through our website and a dedicated account manager will respond within 15 minutes. Give our team members a call or email at your earliest convenience and see why customers continue to rely on ASAP Aviation Unlimited for all their operational needs.
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