Spark sensor

[jketterm]

Anyone know of a manufacturer that makes a sensor or piece of test equipment that can sense a spark, similar to the spark of a spark plug, from a distance of say 1 to 2 feet away? Any help would be great. Thanks.

 

[milldrone]

jketterm,

Is this what you are looking for?
http://www.clarkes-allied.com/sparks.html

This will only work in a completely dark area

 

[Gil47]

Using the "T" switch on a hearing aid is also capable of hearing sparking
they work the same way as a telephone pickup.

Depends on how you are applying the detector

 

[Roy Matson]

What about an AM radio tuned off station?

 

[JeffKiper]

What about a Fireye brand system? I used them years ago on large fuel oil / natural gas heaters. There are also UV sensors that will detect this I have only seen them about a foot or so away. They may have units that work from farther away than that.

What are you sensing and why? Is this a fire system, heating, or light generator. You could use a current sensor to detect the arc. With no arc you will have no current flow. What voltage is this ignitor working at 6,000 or 10,000 V What type of electrode single element or dual? What power supply?

Those are just a few off the top of my head.

 

[leitmotif]

My curiosity is definitely raised on this also.
Why are you doing this?
How big a spark .01 amp (static or so) or 100 amp ie welding?

Dan Bentler

 

[Bruce99]

Sparks

There are many types. Just Google "baghouse spark sensors". Grecon is one that comes to mind. See if these will work for you..
Cheers..

 

[John Hawkins]

sparks

look into UE systems Ultrasonic inspection device. Finds arcking (carona), air & steam leaks, test steam traps, bad bearings invertter induced rotor current and much more. around $ 7 k but will pay for itself in a medium sized plant

 

[jketterm]

Thanks for the help. The specs for the spark to be detected are:
Output Voltage: 20-24KVdc
Type of spark: Continuous (~7Hz+-3Hz)

From what I am finding, my application is not too common. The application will not be an inline application like those used in dust systems or grain systems. This will be to sense a spark on the factory floor in a lighted room from approximately 1 to 2 feet away. We are testing a patented ignition module for an appliance.

Thanks again

 

[milldrone]

This will be to sense a spark on the factory floor in a lighted room from approximately 1 to 2 feet away. We are testing a patented ignition module for an appliance.

Thanks again

Spark plug timing light?