TOCONs For Flame And Fire Detection – TOCON_NC1F
The TOCON_NC1F from SGLUX GmbH is a high-speed UVC photodetector purpose-built for flame and fire detection applications. It uses...
TOCONs For Flame And Fire Detection – TOCON_NC1F
The TOCON_NC1F from SGLUX GmbH is a high-speed UVC photodetector purpose-built for flame and fire detection applications. It uses a large 1 mm² SiC detector chip in a hermetically sealed TO-5 metal housing with a diffusion element to broaden the field of view, ensuring robust detectability even under challenging conditions. The device outputs a 0–5 V DC signal and features an amplifier integrated with the sensor. It achieves a saturation limit (max irradiance) of about 180 nW/cm² at 254 nm and a resolution (min irradiance) down to ~18 pW/cm², allowing detection of weak flame signatures. Designed for fast response and real-time flame sensing (especially where discharge flame sensors are used), it requires both positive and negative supply rails. For evaluation, a variant with integrated bias in a steel housing is available.
Understanding TOCONs For Flame And Fire Detection - TOCON_NC1F
The TOCON_NC1F employs a Silicon Carbide (SiC) photodiode that is sensitive in the UVC range (≈225-287 nm), optimized for detecting flame emissions. It features an integrated amplifier that translates faint UVC irradiance into a proportional 0–5 V output, making it straightforward to interface with controllers, safety modules, or monitoring systems. Thanks to the 1 mm² SiC chip, it achieves high sensitivity (down to picowatts per cm²) and the TO-5 hermetic enclosure plus diffuser ensures wide angle flame visibility. It delivers fast response time, allowing near-instant detection of flame onset, which is critical for fire safety and control.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Function | UVC photodetector for flame / fire detection with integrated amplifier |
| Detector Type | Silicon Carbide (SiC) photodiode, 1 mm² active area |
| Spectral Sensitivity Range | Approx. 225 – 287 nm |
| ak Wavelength | ~275 nm |
| Output Signal | 0 – 5 V DC |
| Min Irradiance (Resolution Limit) | ~ 18 pW/cm² |
| Max Irradiance (Saturation Limit) | ~ 180 nW/cm² at 254 nm |
| Housing | TO-5 hermetically sealed metal, with diffuser / wide FOV |
| Supply Voltage | Requires positive and negative supply rails |
| Operating Temperature | Standard –25 … +85 °C (please confirm for your variant) |
| Response Time / Rise & Fall | Fast response; designed for fire detection. (Exact ms values depend on irradiance) |
| Applications | Flame detection in industrial burners, fire sensing replacing discharge sensors, safety systems |
Key Features and Advantages
High UVC Sensitivity with SiC Detector
The device uses a large area (1 mm²) SiC photodiode optimized for UVC wavelengths (~225-287 nm), giving strong sensitivity to ultraviolet flame emissions. This enables detection even when flames are small or flame emissions are weak.
Wide Field-of-View and Hermetic Housing
Equipped with a diffuser and packaged in a TO-5 hermetically sealed metal enclosure, the TOCON_NC1F offers both environmental protection and a broad angular coverage so that flame detection is possible from different orientations.
Fast Response Times for Safety
Designed specifically for flame detection, the sensor is tuned for fast response to the appearance (and disappearance) of flame, minimizing delay, which is critical for safety systems. Its integrated amplifier aids in delivering a quick voltage rise on flame ignition.
Low-to-High Dynamic Range
With a resolution limit down to picowatts/cm² and saturation limit up to nanowatts/cm², the TOCON_NC1F covers a useful dynamic range appropriate for both weak and intense flame signals. This allows usage in various flame detection scenarios.
Integrated Amplifier Output
The 0-5 V DC output simplifies interfacing: no external amplification required. This reduces component count and complexity in flame detection circuits and allows easy connection to controllers or safety logic.
Dual Supply Requirement
It requires both positive and negative supply rails — an important design consideration when integrating. For easier prototyping, SGLUX offers a steel-housed version with an integrated bias generator.
Replaces Discharge Flame Sensors
TOCON_NC1F can substitute more fragile discharge tube sensors, providing semiconductor-based reliability, lower maintenance, and longer life.
Collectively, these features make the TOCON_NC1F a robust, sensitive, and responsive component for flame detection systems in industrial safety, fire alarms, and burner control applications.
Applications Across Industries
Industrial Burner Flame Monitoring
Used in industrial combustion equipment (natural gas, oil, hydrogen) to sense the presence of flame and ensure safe operation. When flame fails, safety systems can shut down fuel or trigger alarms.
Fire Detection Systems
In fire alarm or suppression systems (especially for environments with UV-transparent enclosures or open flame detection), the TOCON_NC1F provides fast initial detection of flame presence based on UVC emissions, improving safety response times.
Replacement for Discharge Tube UV Flame Sensors
Traditional flame sensors using gas discharge tubes (which may degrade, have startup delays, or require large supply voltages) can be replaced with this semiconductor TOCON, offering longer lifespan, more reliability, and simpler power requirements.
Combustion Safety in Hydrogen Environments
Hydrogen flames emit strongly in UVC; the TOCON_NC1F’s sensitivity in the UVC region makes it suitable for detecting hydrogen combustion, including in newer burner designs or hydrogen-blended fuels where traditional ionization sensors may fail.
Process Control and Burner Efficiency
By detecting flame presence and fluctuations early, systems can adjust fuel, airflow, or ignition to maintain efficient combustion, reducing emissions, improving safety margins, and managing fuel usage.
Safety Instrumented Systems & Standards Compliance
Can be incorporated into systems designed to meet safety and flame detection standards. Provides reliable, fast detection signal required by safety interlocks, emergency shutdowns, and regulatory compliance.
By combining strong UVC sensitivity, broad field coverage, fast response, and semiconductor reliability, the TOCON_NC1F becomes a practical tool across many industries requiring reliable flame detection—chemical plants, power generation, heating systems, safety infrastructure, industrial ovens, etc.
Why Choose United Spectrum Instruments?
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Exclusive Indian distributor for SGLUX NC-series flame detection sensors
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Local technical expertise in integrating flame detection modules in safety / industrial control systems
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Access to factory calibration certificates and component test data
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After-sales service, field support, and integration assistance across India
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Supply of matching accessories, power supplies, housing options (steel-housing with bias generator)
FAQs
What UVC wavelength range does it respond to?
Approx. 225-287 nm, with peak sensitivity near 275 nm.
What is its sensitivity limit?
Minimum detectable irradiance ≈ 18 pW/cm² and saturation around 180 nW/cm² at 254 nm.
Does it need special power supplies?
Yes – it requires both positive and negative supply rails. For evaluation, a ready housing with built-in bias is offered.
How fast can it detect flames?
Its design emphasises fast response; able to detect flame onset quickly (exact rise/fall times depend on irradiance).
Can it be used in environments with sunlight?
Because it is a UVC-only sensor and visible light / IR are rejected, ambient solar UV (which is mostly UV-A/B) contributes less interference, but shielding or filtering may still be necessary depending on installation.
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FAQs
What UVC wavelength range does it respond to?
Approx. 225-287 nm, with peak sensitivity near 275 nm.
What is its sensitivity limit?
Minimum detectable irradiance ≈ 18 pW/cm² and saturation around 180 nW/cm² at 254 nm.
Does it need special power supplies?
Yes – it requires both positive and negative supply rails. For evaluation, a ready housing with built-in bias is offered.
How fast can it detect flames?
Its design emphasises fast response; able to detect flame onset quickly (exact rise/fall times depend on irradiance).
Can it be used in environments with sunlight?
Because it is a UVC-only sensor and visible light / IR are rejected, ambient solar UV (which is mostly UV-A/B) contributes less interference, but shielding or filtering may still be necessary depending on installation.
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