The electric initiator, a core starting component in an (aerosol) automatic fire extinguishing device, has a reliability that directly impacts the fire extinguishing system's response speed and effectiveness in the event of a fire. Verifying the reliability of an electric initiator requires a comprehensive assessment of multiple dimensions, including design principles, material properties, manufacturing processes, environmental adaptability, and long-term stability, to ensure it meets safety standards throughout its lifecycle.
The electric initiator's design must meet the initiation characteristics required for an (aerosol) automatic fire extinguishing device. Its core function is to trigger the aerosol generating agent via an electrical pulse signal, enabling it to complete a redox reaction and release fire-extinguishing particles in an extremely short period of time. During the design phase, circuit parameters must be optimized through simulation to ensure the electric initiator can instantly generate sufficient energy upon receiving the initiation signal while avoiding false triggering or delayed activation. For example, a dual-circuit redundant design can improve signal transmission fault tolerance and prevent initiation failures caused by single-circuit faults.
Material selection is fundamental to ensuring the reliability of an electric initiator. Key components in the electric initiator, such as the electrode, insulation material, and ignition agent, must possess high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and high stability. Electrodes are typically made of metal alloys with excellent conductivity and a high melting point to withstand the high temperature shock of ignition. Insulation materials must pass voltage resistance tests to prevent short circuits and misfires. The ignition agent formulation undergoes multiple tests and optimizations to ensure stable combustion and ignition of the aerosol generator under the influence of electrical pulses. All materials must undergo environmental tests such as salt spray and damp heat tests to verify their long-term stability in complex environments.
The precision of the manufacturing process directly impacts the performance consistency of the electric initiator. Parameters such as the electrode welding temperature, the ignition agent filling volume, and the insulation coating thickness must be strictly controlled during production. For example, automated assembly lines can reduce human error and ensure that key parameters such as resistance and ignition delay time of each electric initiator meet design requirements. Furthermore, after manufacturing, electric initiators undergo 100% inspection, eliminating defective products through processes such as high-voltage pulse testing and sealing tests, thereby reducing failure rates at the source.
Environmental adaptability testing is a crucial step in verifying the reliability of electric initiators. Automatic fire extinguishing devices (aerosols) may be used in environments with high temperatures, high humidity, corrosive gases, or strong electromagnetic interference. Therefore, electric initiators must undergo tests simulating extreme environments to evaluate their performance. For example, in high-temperature testing, the initiator must still activate normally after two hours of continuous operation at 55°C. In electromagnetic compatibility testing, it must be verified that it does not falsely trigger or experience signal loss under strong electromagnetic interference. These tests can reveal potential defects in the initiator under specific conditions and provide a basis for design improvements.
Long-term stability verification requires a combination of accelerated aging tests and actual usage data. By subjecting the initiator to high-temperature and high-humidity environments for accelerated aging, simulating years or even decades of use, performance degradation trends can be observed. Field feedback is also collected to analyze the initiator's activation success rate and failure types in real fire scenarios, providing data support for product iteration. For example, one company, through establishing a reliability database, discovered that the corrosion rate of its electric initiator was rapid in humid coastal environments. Subsequently, improvements to the sealing structure significantly extended the product's lifespan.
Reliability verification of the electric initiator in an (aerosol) automatic fire extinguishing device is a systematic project that spans the entire lifecycle of design, manufacturing, testing, and use. By rigorously controlling key aspects such as materials, processes, environmental adaptability, and long-term stability, we ensure the electric initiator's reliable activation in the event of a fire, providing a solid foundation for the device's effective fire extinguishing capabilities.
