This document is FD User Manual/2003/Issue 1

Flame Detector
User Manual

General
Description
The flame detector is designed for use where open flaming fires may be expected. It responds to the
light emitted from flames during combustion. The detector discriminates between flames and other
light sources by responding only to particular optical wavelengths and flame flicker frequencies. This
enables the detector to avoided false alarms due to such factors as flicking sunlight.

Electrical Considerations
The flame detector can be connected in many different electrical configurations depending on the
application. The detector requires a 24Vdc (14Vmin. to 30Vmax.) supply to operate. The detector can
be connected as a two-wire loop powered device increasing its supply current to signal that a flame
has been detected. See Fig 8. The supply connections to the detector are polarity sensitive.
Also available are volt free contacts from two internal relays RL1 (Fire) and RL2 (Fault or pre-alarm).
Using the relay contacts connected in a four-wire configuration the detector status can be signalled
back to control equipment. See Fig 9.
Removing the detector front cover provides accesses the detector terminals and configuration DIL
Information in this guide is given in good faith, but the manufacturer cannot be held responsible switch. See Fig.4.
for any omissions or errors. The company reserves the right to change the specifications of
products at any time and without prior notice.
Alarm Response Modes
The detector is normally configured to latch into an alarm state when a flame is detected. The supply
to the detector has to be broken in order to reset the detector.
The configuration DIL switch within the detector can be set to place the detector into a non-latching
mode. The detector can then also produce proportional analogue current alarm signals i.e. 8-28mA or
4-20mA. In non-latching mode the detector only produces an alarm signal when a flame is in view
resetting itself to normal when the flame has gone.
12 1
Application for Flame Detectors Functional Testing
Flame detectors are used when detection is required to be:
When 24Vdc power is applied to the detector Alternatively a portable flame sensor test unit
• Unaffected by convection currents, draughts or wind the green supply on indicator LED will is available to generate simulated flame
• Tolerant of fumes, vapours, dust and mist illuminate. The fault relay RL2, if selected behaviour and test the detector a few metres
• Responsive to a flame more than 25m away with the DIL switch, will energise and the in front of the detector. See Fig 12.
• Fast reacting contact between terminals 7 and 8 will close. Finally, provided it is safe to do so, carry out
If 24Vdc is applied to terminals 3 and 4 or a flame test using a flickering flame source,
The detector is capable of detecting the optical radiation emitted by burning material even non- terminal 3 is linked to terminal 1 the detector such as a portable Bunsen burner.
carbonaceous materials. e.g. Hydrogen will perform a self-test. It does this by See Fig 13.
Numerous other potential fire sources can be detected such as causing internal optical test sources to A still non-flickering flame will not produce a
simulate the behaviour of flames and the response from the detector.
Liquids Solids Gases detector will alarm.
● Aviation Fuels (kerosene) ● Coal ● Butane
● Ethanol ● Cotton ● Fluorine
● Methylated Spirits ● Grain & Feeds ● Hydrogen
● n-Heptane ● Paper ● Natural Gas
● Paraffin ● Refuse ● Off Gas
● Petrol (gasoline) ● Wood ● Propane

Typical applications examples are: SUPPLY

SIGNAL

FLAME SENSOR TEST UNIT

● Agriculture ● Coal handling plant ● Pharmaceutical

6913

● Aircraft hangars ● Engine rooms ● Power plants F1 F2 F3 F4

● Atria ● Generator rooms ● Textiles 1 2 ABC

3 DEF

● Automotive industry ● Metal fabrication ● Transformer stations 4 GHI

5 JKL
6 MNO

- spray booths ● Paper manufacture ● Waste handling

7 PQRS 8 TUV
9 WXYZ

* #

- parts manufacture ● Petrochemical ● Woodworking

0

6912

Applications and Locations to Avoid:

Fig 12 Portable Flame Detector Test Unit Fig 13 Portable Bunsen Burner
● ambient temperatures above 55°C ● large IR sources – heaters, burners, flares
● close proximity to RF sources ● obstructions to field of view
● exposure to severe rain and ice ● sunlight falling directly on the detector optics
● large amounts of flickering reflections ● spot lighting directly on the detector optics
Service & Repairs
Servicing of the fire protection system should Only the manufacturer or equivalent
Quantities Required and Positioning of Detectors be carried out by competent persons familiar authorised body may carry out repairs to the
The number of detectors required and their position depends on: with this type of system, or as recommended flame detectors. In practical terms this
by the local regulations in force. means that flame detector may be repaired
• the anticipated size of the flame only at the manufacturers factory.
• the distance of the flame from the detector
• the angle of view of the flame detector

The flame detector is designed to have a class 1 performance as defined in BS EN54-10:2002

on the high sensitivity setting. That is the ability to detect an n-heptane (yellow) fire of 0.1m² or
methylated spirit (clear) fire of 0.25m² at a distance of up to 25m within 30 seconds.
The detector can be set to have to a lower sensitivity setting equivalent to class 3 performance.
Class 3 performance is defined as detecting the same size fires as for class 1 but at a distance
of only 12m.

2 11
 In fact, the flame detector will detect fires at distances of up to 40 metres, but the flame size at
such distances needs to be proportionally greater in order to be sure of reliable detection. Thus
the yellow flickering flame that can be detected at 25m, provided that its size is not less than
Control Unit / Interface 0.1m², will have to be 0.4m² in order to be detected at 40metres.
(Supplied by others) In a rectangular room the distance from the flame detector to the fire is calculated by the
formula:

Flame Detector Two pair cable, also see note 1 24Vdc Normal Maximum distance = √ L² + W² + H²
+ 1 + (Break supply to reset

- 25
if detector set to latch)
R
- In the example shown in fig 1 the room in which the flame detector is to be installed measures
+
Fire
6 Zone 20m x 10m x 5m; the maximum distance from the detector to the flame will therefore be;
Relay
7
-
Refer to note 2
Fault
Relay
8
FIRE

IR
SENS
OR

Flame Detector
+ 1 Height Maximum distance = √ 20² + 10² + 5² = 22.9m
NOTE 2
- 25 R = To indicate fire to control unit or interface.
E.g.: - 470R
Fire
Relay
6
7 NOTE 3
EOL

EOL = End of line device required by some control

Fault
Relay
8 units. This is required to monitor the cable to the
Refer to note 3 detectors and prevent fault indications on the control Width
unit.

Fig 9 4 Wire Connection Diagram

Length

The circuit shown above enables the flame detectors to interface with most type of fire alarm control Fig 1 Calculation of distance from detector to flame
systems. The fire relay RL1 is used to switch the required alarm load ‘R’ to generate a fire alarm
signal. An end of line device ‘EOL’ mounted in the last detector provides the system with the ability
to monitor the detector fault relay RL2 and the integrity of the interconnecting cables.
Field of View
The flame detector has a field of view of approximately 90°, as shown in the diagram below.

Installation
It is important that the detectors are installed convenience where continuity of a cable
in such a way that all terminals and sheath or similar if required.
connections are protected to at least IP20 Adjustable mounting brackets and weather
with the detector cover fitted. The earth shields are available as shown below.
bonding terminals are provided for
IR SENS
OR
FIRE

90° Cone

Fig 2 Conical field of view of the flame detector

Fig 10 Stainless Steel Adjustable Mount Fig 11 Stainless Steel Weather Shield

10 3
 Centre line of detector Connection Information
0.4m² flame seen at 40m

0°
-15° 15° Control Unit
0.1m² flame seen at 25m -30° 30° (Supplied by others)

Flame Detector Single pair cable, also see note 1

-45° 45° i
+ 1 + 24Vdc Normal
(Break supply to reset
-60° 60° - 2
-
if detector set to latch)

-75° 75° NOTE 1

Screened cable should be used with one end
of the screen connected to earth. Also care
should be taken not to run the detector cable
next to power cables.
-90° 90°
0 25m 40m Fig 8 Basic 2 Wire Connection Diagram
Detector
Fig 3 Detector Field of View Plot

The simplest method of connecting the flame detector is in a 2-wire configuration as shown above.
The flame detector should be positioned at the perimeter of the room, pointing directly at the With a 24Vdc supply the current (i) drawn by a detector/detectors can be monitored to determine the
anticipated flame or at the centre of the area to be protected. If the detector cannot ‘see’ the whole detector status. The DIL switches within the detector can be set to produce different current values
of the area to be protected, one or more additional detectors may be required. (i) to suit control systems.
The flame detector is not affected by normal light sources but should be positioned so that sunlight
does not fall directly onto the viewing window.
Detector Supply Current DIL Switch Setting Comment
i @ 24Vdc
Detector Window Contamination Normal Alarm
It is important to keep the detector window clean and checks should be carried out at regular Quiescent (Fire)
intervals – determine locally according to the type and degree of contamination encountered – to Current Current 1 2 3 4
ensure optimal performance of the flame detector. Although the IR detectors can detect flames 3mA 9mA 0 0 0 0 Lowest power configuration, RL1 only
when the window is contaminated, there may be a reduction of sensitivity as shown in Table 1.
4mA 20mA 0 0 1 0 For 4-20mA systems, no relays
8mA 14mA 1 1 1 0 Lowest power configuration & relays
Typical percentage of 8mA 20mA 1 1 0 1 For 4-20mA systems & relays
Contamination
normal response
8mA 28mA 1 1 1 1 Fire control panels
Water spray 75%
Steam 75%
Smoke 75% Table 4 Detector Supply & Alarm Currents

Oil film 86%

Salt water film 86% If the detector supply current falls below the normal quiescent current consumption then a fault is
Dry salt deposits 86% present. This could be simply an open circuit cable fault or a fault within the detector possibly due to
the detector being taken over its rated temperature.
Table 1 IR Detector window contamination Detectors can be connected in parallel increasing the overall quiescent current required. The alarm
current signal will remain the same with the additional quiescent current drawn from other detectors.
UV/IR detectors are more susceptible to window contamination and must be kept clean.

4 9
Theory of Operation Detector Interior
The detector responds to low-frequency The dual (IR²) and triple (IR³) IR IR Optics - IR optical flame sensors
(1 to 15 Hz.) flickering IR radiation emitted photoelectric detectors, responding to & filters
from flames during combustion. neighbouring IR wavelengths, enable it to
IR flame flicker techniques enable the discriminate between flames and spurious Supply ON (Green) - Steady if detector
sensor to operate through a layer of oil, sources of IR radiation. functioning correctly
dust, water vapour, or ice. The combination of filters and signal
Most IR flame sensors respond to 4.3µm processing allows the sensor to be used Fire (Red) - Indicates a FIRE detected
light emitted by hydrocarbon flames. By with little risk of false alarms in difficult
responding to 1.0 to 2.7µm light emitted situations characterised by factors such Test (Yellow) - Indicates detector in test
by every fire all flickering flames can be as flickering sunlight. mode
detected. Gas fires not visible to the
naked eye e.g. hydrogen may also be UV Optics (Option) - UV optical flame sensor
detected. if fitted
FLAME DETECTOR SENSITIVITY
TO EN 54-10
0 LOW CLASS 3
1 HIGH CLASS 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
6903 DIL Switch - Select detector functions
Signal Processing 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

The detector views the flame at particular give the greatest optical false signal Connection Terminals
optical wavelengths. The more differing immunity as it has the most diverse
optical wavelength signals available the selection of optical wavelengths.
better the detector is at discriminating The detector processes the optical signal Fig 4 Detector with Front Cover removed
between flames and false optical sources. information to determine if a flame is in
So although IR², IR³ and UV/IR² detectors view. This is achieved by comparing the
can detect similar sized flames at the signals with known flame characteristics
same distances, the UV/IR² detector will stored within the detector.
Electrical Connections
The flame detector has eight connection terminals as show in Fig 5. Removing the front cover of the
flame detector accesses the connections. The cable is passed through the gland holes in the base
Flame Detector of the detector.

Flame Optics Terminals

Closes if flames Normally closed

Signal Input/Output detected (N/C) when
Processing Interface powered

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Fig 7 Block Diagram of the Detector Signal Processing

+IN -IN +R -R FLAME FAULT

If the detector has interpreted the optical The detector is constantly checking itself (N/O) (N/C)
signals as a fire then it produces the to ensure it is performing correctly. If a +24Vdc Supply Test Input Relay RL1 Relay RL2
required output responses. This will be in fault occurs the detector supply current Input
the form of supply current changes and will reduce, the fault relay will de-energise
the illumination of the red fire LED. The and the green supply LED will no longer Fig 5 Electrical Connection Terminals
fire relay will also change state if required. illuminate constantly.

8 5
Connection Terminal Descriptions Selectable Detector Functions
(DIL Switch Settings)

DIL Switch SENSITIVITY

0 Low Class 3
Terminal 1 High Class 1
No. Mnemonic Function
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 +IN Power Supply +V. +IN is the power supply input to the flame detector
and is normally 24Vdc with respect to terminal 2. The current
consumption of detector can be monitored to determine the detector
status (Fault, Normal, Pre-alarm, Fire). If the detector is in latching Fig 6 DIL Switch with Detector Front Cover Removed (Normal factory settings shown)
mode then this supply line must be broken in order to reset the
detector. A thermal fuse within the detector will blow and break the +IN
connection if the detector operating temperature is exceeded. Selectable Functions DIL Switch Settings
2 -IN Power Supply 0V. –IN is the return path for the detector supply current. Relay RL2 Function: 1 2
-IN is also internally connected to terminal 4.
RL2 off (No fault relay) – For lowest detector current consumption. 0 0
3 +R Remote Detector Test Input +V. No connection to +R is necessary if
RL2 off, or UV pre-alarm, flame or electrical sparks detected. 1 0
the detector optical and circuit test feature is not required. If 24Vdc is
applied to terminals 3 and 4 the detector internal optical test sources RL2 energised on IR pre-alarm 0 1
will activate to simulate a flame. The detector yellow test LED will RL2 detector fault relay (Energised if detector powered and no faults) 1 ~ 1
flicker to indicate an optical test is progress. The detector will then
alarm indicating that the test was successful. Detector Supply Current (Detector Status): [-/ = see Output Mode below] 3 4
4 -R Remote Detector Test Input 0V. No connection to -R is necessary if the Low current mode, 3mA / 9mA (RL1 Only), 8mA / 14mA (RL1 & RL2) 0 0
detector optical and circuit test feature is not required. Two-wire current signalling only. No relays operating. 4-20mA, 4/20mA 1 0
-R is internally connected to terminal 2.
Two-wire current signalling 8-20mA, 8/20mA and both relays operating. 0 1
5 Flame Relay RL1. This volt free contact is normally open (N/O) and
only closes when a flame has been detected. If the detector is in Two-wire current signalling 8/28mA and both relays operating. 1 ~ 1
latching mode (see DIL switch settings) the contact will remain closed Output Mode: 5
RL1 once a flame has been detected. Only when the detector supply +IN is
broken will the detector reset and the contact open once again. The (-) Proportional analogue supply current. Non-latching fire alarm signalling. (-) 0
6
contact can be changed to a normally closed (N/C) state by moving the (/) Step change, supply current. Latching fire alarm signalling. (/) ~1
link on JP1 in the rear of the detector.
Maximum relay contact ratings: Power=3W, Current=0.25Amp, Response Time: 6 7
Voltage=30Vdc. Resistive loads only. Slowest ≈ 8s 0 0
7 Fault or Pre-alarm Relay RL2. This volt free contact is normally closed Medium ≈ 4s 1 ~ 0
(N/C) if the detector has no faults and the supply voltage between
terminals +IN and –IN is the correct value. If the detector mode is Fast ≈ 2s 0 1
RL2 changed (see DIL switch settings) this relay can be de-energised to Faster response times reduce the optical interference immunity. Very Fast ≈ 1s 1 1
reduce the detector current consumption. Alternatively RL2 can be set
8 Sensitivity: See EN 54-10 8
to provide a pre-alarm fire signal. The normal contact state can be
changed state by moving the link on JP2 in the rear of the detector. Low Class 3 0
Maximum relay contact ratings: Power=3W, Current=0.25Amp,
Voltage=30Vdc. Resistive loads only. High Class 1 ~1
Factory settings ~

Table 2 Connection Terminal Descriptions Table 3 DIL Switch Settings

6 7