Optical flame detectors
An optical flame detector reacts to radiations emitted from any flame type. A flame detector sensor is designed to quickly alert (a few tens of milliseconds) of any fire outbreak through analog (4-20 mA), digital (RS485 communication, Modbus or Hart), or simple dry contacts (relay). Most of them are suitable to be set up in ATEX zones, and they are certified SIL2.
The FSL 100 flame detector uses UV, UV/IR, or IR3 sensors and sophisticated signal analysis to detect fires quickly while rejecting false alarms. It is compact and lightweight for easy installation and designed to operate in hazardous environments, both indoors and outdoors, and potentially explosive atmospheres.
- ATEX/IECEx certified for Zone 2/22 & FM3611 Class 1, 2 and 3
- Ideal for detecting hydrocarbon, methanol, methane, and hydrogen fires
- Designed for harsh environments: IP65, ECP, reinforced housing
- Easy to set up and configure
- Excellent value for money
The SIL2 Sharpeye ATEX flame detector offers a very high performance with a MTBF of 150,000 hours and available in UV/IR, IR3, or IR4 versions. It quickly detects and reports all fires, regardless of fuel, at very long distances (up to 65 metres) with a response time of below 5 seconds in the worst case.
- ATEX & IECEx, FM/FMC/CSA multi-spectrum SIL2 certified optical flame detector
- 3 sensor versions are available: UV/IR, IR3 or IR4
- Heated glass for operation in difficult conditions (snow, ice, condensation)
- Sensitivity selection to ensure reliable detection without zone crossing
- Multiple outputs available: relay contacts, 4-20 mA analog output, MODBUS communication, HART protocol
Honeywell's FS20X is an UV/IR optical flame detector. It features electro-optical technology and has been designed for various applications such as petrochemical and refinery facilities, aircraft hangars, or gas turbines. It combines a patented WideBand IR™ infrared sensor and a proven UV sensor with a sunscreen.
- Technology suitable for hydrogen, hydrocarbon (gasoline, ethanol, methane), paper, wood fires, etc.
- Detection range of over 60 metres with the high sensitivity setting
- 90-degree cone of view (±45 degrees to the axis)
- Fast response time of 3 to 5 seconds for a petrol fire
- ATEX, IECEX II 2 GD certified and complied with EN6100-6-4 and EN50130-4
The FS24X is a state-of-the-art, multi-spectrum IR3 (IR/IR/Visible) optical flame detector, part of Honeywell's FSX range of advanced electro-optical fire detectors. Sophisticated software algorithms and two microprocessors give it the highest fire detection performance and optimum false alarm rejection.
- Suitable for fires involving hydrocarbons (petrol, methane gas, LPG, polypropylene), paper, wood, etc.
- 3 to 5 seconds response time for an n-heptane fire at 30m
- High immunity to radio or electromagnetic interference and false alarms (arc welding, solar fluctuations, heat radiation)
- Stores pre-fire data on non-volatile Flash memory
- FM, ATEX, and SIL2 approvals
With optimized algorithms and new integrated video functionality in color or NIR depending on fuel type, Spyglass SG50 series optical flame detectors offer unrivaled performance for detecting various fires and flames even at great distances.
- ATEX, IECEx, FMus, FMc, UKEX, and SIL2-certified optical flame detectors with optional integrated HD video capability
- 5 versions available: IR3 (hydrocarbons), IR3-H2 (hydrogen or methanol fires), UV/IR, UV/IR-F (sparks, electric arcs), or CO2-L (exhaust gas fires)
- Multiple outputs: relay contacts, analog, MODBUS communication, HART
- Quick response time : 5 - 40 ms in the event of an explosion or rapid-fire
- 2 video modes available: HD color or near IR for invisible fires
The Spyglasss IR3-H2 is a triple-wavelength (IR3) hydrogen flame detector designed to detect non-hydrocarbon fires. It detects methanol or hydrogen fires at long range with unequalled response time, while guaranteeing very high immunity to false alarms. As an option, it can be fitted with a high-definition video system.
- Optical hydrogen flame detector with a range of up to 30 meters
- Extremely fast response time of 40 ms in the event of explosion or rapid fire
- Relay and analog outputs, MODBUS or HART communication optional
- Optional near-infrared video for "invisible" hydrogen fires
- ATEX, IECEx, FMus, FMc, UKEX and SIL2 certified
The DF-TV7 Multiflame detector from Oldham Simtronic is a high-performance optical flame detector that detects the presence of hydrocarbon fires in a few milliseconds. Two versions are available depending on which application and fires are detected: a multi-spectrum infrared version (IR3) and a version combining a UV sensor and two infrared bands (UV/2IR).
- ATEX and IECEx multi-spectrum optical flame detector certified SIL2 or SIL3, depending on the model
- Two versions: IR3 (carbon fires), UV/2IR (carbon and hydrocarbon fires)
- 4-20 mA linear output + 2 configurable alarm relays
- Continuous optical self-tests
- Fully configurable with TLU600 console or via HART communication protocol (optional)
Infrared flame detector principle
An optical flame detector is composed by ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) sensors. The most efficient flame detectors usually feature several sensors (UV, UV/IR, IR3 or IR4). Just like a fixed gas detector, an optical flame detector usually works in connexion with a gas controller unit.
Most of our optical flame detectors are SIL2 approved. They provide a high performance level and their mean time between failures (MTBF) is higher than 17 years.
Concerned areas of activity
An optical flame detection system is well suited for highly hazardous industrial areas like refineries, gas pipelines & pumping stations, storage depots (solvents, alcohols, paints), offshore platforms, printing plants and also every ATEX classified areas (explosive atmosphere).
These fire-outbreak monitoring units are particularly efficient for hydrocarbon - combustible gas - (fuel, gasoline, jet fuel), methane (CH4), LPG, hydrogen, polypropylene fire detection as well as paper fire in printing plants for example.
Different types of flame detectors
- UV flame detector – made with a UV sensitive sensor. It generates an output signal based on the radiation and compares it to an accurately calculated reference.
- IR flame detector – composed of an IR sensor sensitive to CO2 exhausted by fire.
- UV IR flame detector – made up of an UV sensitive sensor combined to an IR sensor for the detection of hydrocarbons, hydrogen and metal flames with a high-speed response time (<150 msec). It requires a simultaneous response of both sensitive units.
- IR3 flame detector – three pyro-electric sensors detect the IR radiations related to different emission peaks. The IR3 sensor for hydrocarbons flame monitoring is immune to sunray.
- IR4 flame detector – a combination of 4 infrared sensors to detect hydrocarbons and hydrogen flames 5 to 65 meters away.