Smoke Sensor

What is a Smoke Sensor

A smoke sensor is a device fitted to smoke alarms. A smoke alarm is designed to detect the presence of smoke in a home to alert the occupants that a fire has broken out. A smoke alarm contains not only a smoke sensor but also a loud audible alarm (85 decibels on average) to alert people in the home. Detecting the smoke from a fire and sounding the alarm enables the occupants to get out and alert the fire service quickly. In fact, installing a smoke sensor is vitally important and can save lives.

Types of Smoke Detector Sensor

Standalone smoke sensor:

Hard Wired smoke detectors:

interlinked smoke alarms:

smart smoke detector(wi-fi):

wireless smoke detectors:

How Does a Smoke Sensor Work?

Photoelectric smoke detector: The type of commonly used detection technology is called photoelectric. This technology works by detecting light that is reflected off particles from a light beam inside the sensing chamber. When no particles are present in the sensing chamber, the light from the beam does not strike the light detector, indicating all clear. When there are particles present and the amount of light registered by the light detector reaches a certain threshold level, the alarm sounds.  

Ionization smoke detectors: These use a small bit of safely shielded radioactive material that electrically charges, or ionizes, the air molecules between two metal plates. This produces a small electric current flowing from one plate to the other in the air. When particles enter the chamber, they attract the ions and carry them away, reducing the current. When the number of particles entering the chamber is enough to reduce that current below a certain amount, the device will register those particles as smoke and the alarm will sound. (And about that radioactive material? Most of its radiation is blocked inside the device, and even then, the radiation levels in the device are much lower than the natural background radiation to which we are exposed every day.)

Where to Install Smoke Sensor?

To install a smoke alarm in the right place in your home, choose a central area such as a corridor that leads to the main rooms. The alarm should be placed sufficiently near the main room so that it can be heard at night in case of a fire. Avoid placing it nearby the kitchen, bathroom or laundry room, as smoke or steam could set off the alarm.

The position of a smoke alarm is also crucial for making sure your home is safe. Ideally, place it on the ceiling (smoke tends to rise due to its heat) at least 60 cm from the walls. If you can't install your smoke sensor on the ceiling, place it on a wall at a height, near the ceiling.

This stage of the installation is crucial. Take your time to determine the right position for your smoke alarm. The safety of the people in your home in case of a fire depends on it. If it's incorrectly positioned, your smoke alarm might detect smoke too late and not give you enough time to exit your home or the alert the fire service.

If your home has a large surface area or several floors, remember to install several smoke sensors at different strategic locations in your home and at least one on each floor. You can also install a smoke alarm in your garage or cellar so that you'll be alerted if a fire breaks out in these areas.

Choosing the Right Smoke Sensor

Firstly, you need to make sure you're complying with the law and choose a smoke alarm that meets the European standard EN 14604 and bears the CE marking. Next, bear in mind the options available on existing products: an insect screen can be useful to prevent false alarms, while a test button allows you to regularly check that your smoke alarm is working. Some smoke alarms also have a feature to detect carbon monoxide, an odourless and highly dangerous gas that can be given off by a defective heating system. Although this option is beneficial for your safety, it's difficult to find a position in your home that perfectly suits both sensors for optimal functioning.

Some of the most sophisticated products in terms of safety include smart smoke alarms. A smart smoke alarm works in a similar way to a standard device: if a sensor detects the presence of smoke in the home, an audible alarm is triggered to alert the occupants. However, a smart smoke alarm also alerts you directly on your smartphone (and also warns other members of your family who you've linked to the smoke alarm using the management app). This alerts you even if you're away from home, enabling you to call the emergency services from where you're working or staying while on holiday.

X-Sense Smart Smoke AlarmX-Sense Smart Smoke Alarm also offers other very useful features, such as the automatic operation test, which regularly checks that the smoke alarm is working properly, and the battery alert, which notifies you when the smart smoke alarm needs to be replaced.

X-Sense SD19-W Wireless Interconnected Smoke Detector

1. X-Sense SD19-W Wireless Interconnected Smoke Detector with 10-Year Sealed Lithium Battery, Wireless Interconnection, Total Home Coverage, UL 217 Safety Standard Compliant.

Buy Now

$27.99