Smoke Alarm Circuit

The original smoke alarm circuit electroschematics.com/5450/smart-smoke-sensor-alarm/has some problems and has left some hobbyists and students
disappointed. Rather than to attempt to solve its many problems, I have created an update that uses the venerable LM741 op amp. It is simpler,
more conventional, easier to understand and has much better battery life.

Smoke Alarm Circuit Schematic

Smart Smoke Alarm Circuit Update 1

Photo-interrupter module

The photo-interrupter is simply an optical coupler with the elements separated with a slot. Anything that enters this slot reduces the current
transfer ratio (output current /input current). I used the H21B1 Darlington device since I did not have the H21A1 on hand. I am glad I did,
because I learned that it is a better device, requiring far less LED current. Since the H21A1 /H21B1 series is no longer available from DigiKey, I
selected a currently available, more inexpensive device—the Sharp GP series—see schematic(s) for details. Sharp appears to be the leader in this
product.
I did not test the circuit with these devices.

Datasheets

Sharp GP1L52VJ000F Darlington photo-interrupter:

http://www.sharpsma.com/download/GP1L52VJ000Fpdf-0

Sharp GP1S093HCZ0F photo-interruptor:

http://www.sharpsma.com/webfm_send/1555
Op amp selection

The old LM741 is a good choice, but I also found a low power substitute (TI TL061) that reduces battery current—see schematic for details. As it
is, battery load is only 1.1mA—not bad!

Smoke Alarm Circuit Operation

The LM741 is applied as a comparator /Schmitt trigger. The voltage on the inverting input is biased at 4.2V (half of Vcc). The collector of the
photo-transistor is adjusted via R2 for 4.0V. Any reduction of the current transfer ratio causes the collector voltage to increase beyond 4.2V. At
this point, the output voltage of the op amp goes positive and turns on the MOSFET. The drain of the MOSFET drops to zero volts and C1
couples a positive feedback signal to the inverting input via R8. The R*C of R8 & C1 causes the LED & siren to stay on for at least 1sec after the
smoke has cleared. C1 has to be either film or ceramic because the voltage polarity reverses.

Adjusting R1?

R1 must be selected to provide approx 4V at the collector of the photo-transistor with R2 centered. Its resistance is a function of photo-interrupter
transfer ratio and may vary as much as 40:1. When this is selected, R2 will be within range of making operational adjustments. The question
marks on the schematics are for this purpose—actual resistance must be determined. In my smoke alarm circuit, one device required 10K while
the other required 22K.

http://www.electroschematics.com/8035/smoke-alarm-circuit/