PIN Diode Based Fire Sensor
Here is a PIN diode based fire sensor that activates an
alarm when it detects fire. Thermistor based fire
alarms have a drawback; the alarm turns on only if the
fire heats the thermistor in close vicinity. In this circuit,
a sensitive PIN diode is used as a fire sensor for a
longer-range fire detection.
Fig. 1: Author’s prototype of the PIN diode based fire
sensor
Fig. 1: Author’s prototype
parts list
It detects visible light and infrared (IR) in the range of
430nm – 1100nm. So visible light and IR from the fire
can easily activate the sensor to trigger the alarm. It
also detects sparks in the mains wiring and, if these
persist, it gives a warning alarm.
It is an ideal protective device for showrooms, lockers,
record rooms and so on. Author’s prototype is shown
in Fig. 1.
PIN diode based fire sensor
PIN diode BPW34 (Fig. 2) is used in the circuit as light
and IR sensor. BPW34 is a 2-pin photodiode with anode
(A) and cathode (K). The anode end can easily be
identified from the top-view flat surface of the
photodiode. A small solder point to which a thin wire is
connected is the anode and the other one is the
cathode terminal.
Fig. 2: BPW34 PIN photodiode
Fig. 2: BPW34 PIN photodiode
BPW34 is a tiny PIN photodiode or mini solar cell with
radiant sensitive surface that generates 350mV DC
open-circuit voltage when exposed to 900nm light. It is
sensitive to natural sunlight and also to light from fire.
So it is ideal for use as a light sensor.
BPW34 photodiode can be used in zero-bias as well as
reverse-bias states. Its resistance decreases when light
falls on it.
Circuit diagram
Circuit diagram of the PIN diode based fire sensor is
shown in Fig. 3. It is built around 9V battery, PIN diode
BPW34 (D1), op-amp CA3140 (IC1), counter CD4060
(IC2), transistors BC547 (T1 and T2), a piezo buzzer
(PZ1) and a few other components.
Fig. 3: Circuit diagram of the PIN diode based fire
sensor
Fig. 3: Circuit diagram of the PIN diode based fire
sensor
In the circuit, PIN photodiode BPW34 is connected to
the inverting and non-inverting inputs of op-amp IC1 in
reverse-biased mode to feed photo current into the
input of op-amp. CA3140 is a 4.5MHz BiMOs op-amp
with MOSFET inputs and bipolar output.
Gate-protected MOSFET (PMOS) transistors in the
input circuit provide very high input impedance,
typically around 1.5T ohms. The IC requires very low
input current, as low as 10pA, to change output status
to high or low.
In the circuit, IC1 is used as a transimpedance amplifier
to act as a current-to-voltage converter. IC1 amplifies
and converts the photo current generated in the PIN
diode to the corresponding voltage in its output. The
non-inverting input is connected to the ground and
anode of photodiode, while the inverting input gets
photo current from the PIN diode.
Circuit operation
Large-value feedback resistor R1 sets the gain of the
transimpedance amplifier since it is in inverting
configuration. Connection of non-inverting input to
ground provides low impedance load for the
photodiode, which keeps the photodiode voltage low.
The photodiode operates in the photovoltaic mode
with no external bias. Feedback of the op-amp keeps
the photodiode current equal to the feedback current
through R1. So the input offset voltage due to the
photodiode is very low in this self-biased photovoltaic
mode. This permits a large gain without any large-
output offset voltage. This configuration is selected to
get large gain in low-light conditions.
Normally, in ambient light condition, photocurrent
from the PIN diode is very low; it keeps output of IC1
low. When the PIN diode detects visible light or IR from
fire, its photo current increases and transimpedance
amplifier IC1 converts this current to corresponding
output voltage. High output from IC1 activates
transistor T1 and LED1 glows. This indicates that the
circuit has detected fire. When T1 conducts, it takes
reset pin 12 of IC2 to ground potential and CD4060
starts oscillating.
IC2 is a binary counter with ten outputs that turn high
one by one when it oscillates due to C1 and R6.
Oscillation of IC2 is indicated by the blinking of LED2.
When output Q6 (pin 4) of IC2 turns high after 15
seconds, T2 conducts and activates piezo buzzer PZ1,
and LED3 also glows. The alarm repeats again after 15
seconds if fire persists.
You can also turn on an AC alarm that produces a loud
sound by replacing PZ1 with a relay circuitry (not
shown here). The AC alarm is activated through
contacts of the relay used for this purpose.
