Principle / Features | UVTRON^®: Flame / Discharge sensors

UVTRON^® is a sensor sensitive only to UV light with wavelengths of 185 nm to 260 nm (*1).

Featuring high sensitivity and quick response, UVTRON^® is ideal for detecting flame and electrical discharge.

*1: For nickel (Ni) electrodes

Internal structure

Head-on type
Example: R9533

Side-on type
Example: R2868

Operating principle

When more than a certain amount of UV light enters the cathode (photocathode) through the UV transmitting glass, photoelectrons (electrons) are emitted from the cathode surface due to the photoelectric effect of the electrode material.

The photoelectrons are attracted to the anode side by the electric field energy and collide with gas molecules in the tube as they accelerate, resulting in ionization of the gas molecules.

Electrons and positive ions are generated by the ionization.

The number of electrons and positive ions increases at an accelerated rate as they repeatedly collide with other gas molecules.

When the UVTRON^®-specific discharge conditions are met, a large current flows drastically between the anode and cathode, producing a discharge state.

Features

High sensitivity and long-range detection

Accurately detects faint UV light from flame and electrical discharge. When detecting alcohol flame in a container of size 500 x 500 mm using the compact and robust model R9533, accurate detection is possible even from a location approximately 80 meters from the target. Furthermore, when using the ultra-high sensitivity model R13192, accurate detection is possible from a distance of approximately 125 meters, providing suppor t for long-range detection while allowing a greater degree of freedom for where the sensor can be setup.

Range characteristics (Typ.)

・Alcohol burner

・Container size: 500 x 500 alcohol flame

*1: Detection is possible below the recommended detection lower limit value. However, it may be difficult to distinguish between background noise and the signal output of UV light from the detection target.

Solar blind characteristics

Since UVTRON^® has a spectral response range of 185 nm to 260 nm (*1), it is sensitive to UV light from gas flame, hydrogen flame and electrical discharge but not sensitive to UV light from the sun. Therefore, it can accurately detect UV light from flame and electrical discharge without concern for sunlight because there is no need to use an optical cut filter.

*1: For nickel (Ni) electrodes

Spectral distribution (our measured values)

Quick response

The sensor can immediately detect UV light released from flame and electrical discharge in less than a few milliseconds. Therefore, the sensor can be used to instantly discover flame immediately following the outbreak of a fire and abnormal electrical discharge after it occurs, a task that is difficult for thermal and smoke detectors to do. This contributes to a high-level of safety control and a fast post-incident response time.

Compact and lightweight

The sensor is compact and lightweight to enable unrestricted design, which contributes to more compact and higher performance devices.

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Principle / Features | UVTRON®: Flame / Discharge sensors

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