Trace heating base for heating detectors
A heat detection system for a fire alarm, the heat detection system including: a heat detection device including at least one heat sensor and an alarm system for triggering an alert when the heat sensor indicates a temperature exceeding a threshold; and a self-regulating heater operable to maintain the heat detection device at a predefined application temperature during use.
1. A heat detection system for a fire alarm, the heat detection system comprising:
a heat detection device comprising at least one heat sensor and an alarm system for triggering an alert when the heat sensor indicates a temperature exceeding a threshold; and
a self-regulating heater operable to maintain the heat detection device at a predefined application temperature during use;
wherein the self-regulating heater comprises a conductive positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material;
wherein the PTC material surrounds the at least one heat sensor of the heat detection device.
2. A method of heat detection using the heat detection system of claim 1 , comprising:
using the self-regulating heater to maintain the temperature of the at least one heat sensor at a predefined application temperature,
using the heat sensor to detect a temperature within the heat detection device,
raising an alarm when the temperature reaches or exceeds a predefined static temperature.
3. A heat detection system for a fire alarm, the heat detection system comprising:
a heat detection device comprising at least one heat sensor and an alarm system for triggering an alert when the heat sensor indicates a temperature exceeding a threshold; and
a self-regulating heater operable to maintain the heat detection device at a predefined application temperature during use;
wherein the self-regulating heater comprises a conductive positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material;
wherein the PTC material comprises a cable.
4. A heat detection system for a fire alarm, the heat detection system comprising:
a heat detection device comprising at least one heat sensor and an alarm system for triggering an alert when the heat sensor indicates a temperature exceeding a threshold; and
a self-regulating heater operable to maintain the heat detection device at a predefined application temperature during use;
wherein the self-regulating heater is operable to keep the heat detection device above a temperature in the range 25° C. to 115° C.
5. A heat detection system for a fire alarm, the heat detection system comprising:
a heat detection device comprising at least one heat sensor and an alarm system for triggering an alert when the heat sensor indicates a temperature exceeding a threshold; and
a self-regulating heater operable to maintain the heat detection device at a predefined application temperature during use;
wherein the self-regulating heater is connected to a buck-boost regulator for varying the voltage that is supplied to the self-regulating heater.
6. A heat detection system as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the buck-boost regulator is controlled by the heat detection device so that the heat detection device may select a temperature for the self-regulating heater which may be achieved by changing the voltage supplied to the self-regulating heater.
7. A heat detection system as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the heat detection device is connected to an external power supply, wherein the buck-boost regulator is powered by the external power supply.
8. A heat detection system as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising an internal power system having an in-built power supply, wherein the buck-boost regulator is powered by the in-built power supply of the heat detection system.
9. A heat detection system for a fire alarm, the heat detection system comprising:
a heat detection device comprising at least one heat sensor and an alarm system for triggering an alert when the heat sensor indicates a temperature exceeding a threshold; and
a self-regulating heater operable to maintain the heat detection device at a predefined application temperature during use;
wherein the heat detection device is an S type heat detection device.
10. A method of manufacture of a heat detection system comprising:
providing a self-regulating heater and a heat detection device;
wherein the self-regulating heater is provided as an accessory to the heat detection device, the self-regulating heater being retrofitted to the heat detection device.