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What Is a Photoelectric Smoke Detector?

A photoelectric smoke detector senses even small amounts of smoke using sensitive electronics, and it serves as a good early warning system to prevent home fires.

  1. Size

    • A photoelectric smoke detector is a compact, lightweight unit with a round plastic casing, approximately 5 inches in diameter and 2 inches thick. It has openings for room air circulation and detection.

    How It Works

    • The battery-operated detector has a constant beam of light. When smoke particles enter the detector, they scatter the light beam. A light detector senses scattered beams and triggers the alarm.

    Home Use

    • Photoelectric smoke detectors are best suited for home use because rooms contain items such as sofas and mattresses that burn slowly and create a lot of smoke.

    Operation

    • Units operate on widely available 9 volt batteries for home use. Units do not require an electrical connection and can be installed just about anywhere.

    Price

    • Prices (in 2010) start at $15. Detectors are widely available at home improvement stores. Large rooms should have more than one unit installed.

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Smoke Detectors
  1. What Type of Smoke Detector in an Unfinished Attic?
  2. Smoke Detector Standards
  3. What Sets off a Hard-Wired Smoke Detector?
  4. What Is an Ionization Smoke Detector?
  5. What Type of Smoke Detector for a Garage?
  6. What Sets off a Smoke Detector?
  7. What Makes Smoke Detectors Beep?
  8. Smoke Detector Repair
  9. Smoke Detector Malfunctions
  10. History of the Photoelectric Smoke Detector
  11. What Makes Smoke Alarms Beep?
  12. What Does a Smoke Detector Detect?

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