Smoke alarms will detect most fires more rapidly than heat detectors.

There are currently

three types of smoke alarms on the market.

1. Ionization
2. Photoelectric
3. Combination ionization and Photoelectric

Ionization smoke alarms are the most common type of smoke alarm and are quicker
at sensing flaming, fast moving fires. This type of alarm uses a small amount of
radioactive material to ionize air in an internal sensing chamber. As a result, the air
in the chamber becomes conductive permitting current to flow between two charged
electrodes. When smoke particles enter the chamber, the conductivity of the
chamber air will decrease. When this reduction in conductivity is reduced to a
predetermined level, the alarm is set off.

Photoelectric smoke alarms are fairly uncommon today. They are quicker at
sensing smoldering fires than Ionization smoke alarms. A photoelectric type smoke
alarm consists of a light emitting diode and a light sensitive sensor located in a
sensing chamber. The presence of suspended smoke particles in the chamber
scatters the light beam. This scattered light is detected by the light sensitive sensor
which sets off the alarm.

How they work: Ionization-type smoke alarms have a small amount of radioactive
material between two electrically charged plates, which ionizes the air and causes
current to flow between the plates. Whensmoke enters the chamber, it disrupts the
flow of ions, thus reducing the flow of current and activating the alarm.Feb 26, 2014

PHOTOELECTRIC SMOKE DETECTOR

LED STATUS INDICATOR LIGHT

Blinks RED when Normal
Stay solid RED when in alarm.

1. Back view of Photoelectric smoke detector :

(a) Common terminal
(b) Collector terminal
(c) Transmitter terminal
2. Inside view of Photoelectric smoke detector :
(a) Collector
(b) Transmitter (Emits a Infrared (IR) beam
3. When no smoke is present the IR beam does not hit the collector.
4. Once the IR beam hits the smoke the beam disperses. When the IR beam displaced
enough it will picked up by the collector. This will cause the smoke detector to go
into alarm.
The two most commonly recognized smoke detection technologies are ionization smoke
detection and photoelectric smoke detection.

Ionization smoke alarms are

generally more responsive to flaming fires.
How they work: Ionization-type smoke alarms have a small amount
of radioactive material between two electrically charged plates,
which ionizes the air and causes current to flow between the
plates. 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, 943 KB).

Photoelectric smoke alarms are

generally more responsive to fires that begin with a long period of
smoldering (called “smoldering fires”).
How they work: Photoelectric-type alarms aim a light source into a
sensing chamber at an angle away from the sensor. Smoke enters
the chamber, reflecting light onto the light sensor; triggering the
alarm. Download this chart on photoelectric smoke alarms (PDF, 782
KB).