Smart Industry 2021

source ©: Kleinschmidt GmbH
NXP MC145010
Setting a Standard
The MC145010 microprocessor by NXP is
already used in millions of homes. It has
become the standard chip in low-cost smoke
detectors. In a scattered-light chamber, a
photodiode receives the light emitted by
the internal LED. Motorola’s chip evaluates
any changes in the amount of light received
by the photodiode to determine if smoke is
present and, on detection, the chip can cause
a warning light to flash and set off a piezoelectric
horn.
The MC145010 can operate at voltages between
6V and12V, so it will continue to work
Flir-One Camera
See the Fire before It Starts
The Flir-One camera is Flir Systems’
entry-level model to the
world of thermal imaging. It is
intended for service engineers
who want to get an at-a-glance
overview of overheating, defective
components so they can intervene
before a fire breaks out. The
camera connects to an Android
or iOS smartphone’s USB socket,
allowing photos and videos to be
sent from the field. The resolution
is 160 pixels by 120 pixels and the
camera can record temperature
differences of up to 0.1°C.
even with weakening batteries. Its current
usage is an extremely modest
12 µA which further
preserves battery
life.
Draeger Gas Detector
A Warning from the Cloud
An industrial gas detector from Draeger
can be equipped with up to six
sensors. Status queries and alarms are
sent via SMS if required and more-detailed
data can be sent periodically via
email. A cloud service records name,
type, and concentration of gases and
other relevant data. Optionally, gas
concentrations can be displayed in
an online table or a single trend on
a visualization panel that can be accessed
on a local network through a
web browser.
source ©: Amazon.com
source ©: SCV SA
Flame Detectors
Flame detectors are inexpensive,
low-power sensors that detect
infrared radiation, especially the
flickering of flames. When the sensor
is triggered, a microprocessor
activates an alarm. More expensive
systems use additional ultraviolet
detectors. These IR plus UV units
are more expensive but give fewer
false alarms.
At the more expensive end, thermal-imaging
cameras are the
newest components of fire protection.
Unlike IR sensors, they
are designed to detect potential
fires long before they break out by
helping to identify areas of sharply
rising temperature. Thermal imaging
is particularly useful in areas,
such as hay storage shelters or
waste dumps, where spontaneous
combustion can occur, or to monitor
the heating effect of wear and
tear on machinery.
Thermal cameras may be more expensive
but their advantage is that
they can be used from a distance
to view and protect a wider area.
The resolution is much lower than
visible light cameras, much less
than 1 megapixel, but indicating
where the problem area lies rarely
requires high definition – though
higher resolutions are available at
extra cost.
Gas Detectors
Gas detectors are often installed
alongside smoke detectors to
sense natural-gas leaks, which
could lead to a fire or even an explosion.
They are usually designed
to detect poisonous carbon monoxide,
too, which could be leaking
from gas cookers or central heating
boilers. Carbon monoxide is
colorless and odorless and can
cause headaches, fainting, and, in
higher concentrations, death.
Some detectors also monitor for
sound changes to detect the ultrasonic
noise created as pressurized
gas is forced through a crack in a
pipe. Early warnings would mean
that remedial actions could be taken
before a buildup happens.
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