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.

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.

Step 1: Parts List

Semiconductors:

_ IC1 (CA3140 op-amp);

_ IC2 (CD4060 counter);

_ T1,T2 (BC547 npn transistor);

_ LED1, LED2, LED3, (5mm Led);

_ D1 (BPW34 PIN photodiode)

Resistors (all 1/4 watt, ± 5% carbon):

_ R1, R5, R6 (1 mega-ohm);

_ R2, R3 (1 kilo-ohm);

_ R4, R7, R8 (100 ohm)

Capacitors:

_ C1 (0,22 μF ceramic disk)

Miscellaneous:

_ BATT.1 (9,0V battery);

_ PZ1 (piezo buzzer)

So, PIN diode BPW34 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.

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.

Step 2: 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.

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.

Step 3: 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.

Step 4: Construction and Testing

A single side PCB for the PIN diode based fire sensor is shown in Fig. 4 and its component layout in Fig. 5. Enclose the PCB in a small box in such a way that you can connect PIN diode BPW34 easily at the rear side of the box. Install the PIN diode in a suitable place and cover it such that normal light/sunlight does not fall on it.

Testing the circuit is simple. Normally, when there is no fire flame near the PIN diode, the piezo buzzer does not sound. When a fire flame is sensed by the PIN diode, piezo buzzer sounds an alarm. Its detection range is around two metres. It can also detect sparks in the mains wiring due to short-circuit.