Introduction

The ESP32 is a powerful and versatile microcontroller that has gained immense popularity in the IoT and embedded systems world. Its low cost, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, and rich feature set make it an ideal choice for various projects. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to combine the ESP32 with a flame sensor to create a simple fire detection system.

Understanding the Flame Sensor

A flame sensor is a device that detects the presence of a flame or fire. It typically works by sensing infrared radiation emitted by a flame. There are different types of flame sensors available, but for our project, we’ll use a basic infrared flame sensor module.

Connecting the Flame Sensor to ESP32

1. Gather the components: You’ll need an ESP32 development board, a flame sensor module, jumper wires, and a breadboard.
2. Identify the pins: Consult the datasheet of your ESP32 and flame sensor to determine the appropriate pins for connection. Usually, the flame sensor has two pins: VCC (power supply) and OUT (output).
3. Connect the components: Connect the VCC pin of the flame sensor to the 3.3V pin on the ESP32. Connect the OUT pin of the flame sensor to a digital input pin on the ESP32.

Programming the ESP32

We’ll use the Arduino IDE to program the ESP32. Here’s a basic code snippet that reads the flame sensor’s output and prints the result to the serial monitor:

C++

// Define the pins connected to the flame sensor
const int analogPin = 35; // A0 connected to D35
const int digitalPin = 18; // D0 connected to D18

void setup() {
  // Initialize serial communication at 115200 baud rate
  Serial.begin(115200);

  // Set the digital pin as input
  pinMode(digitalPin, INPUT);
}

void loop() {
  // Read the analog value from the flame sensor
  int analogValue = analogRead(analogPin);

  // Read the digital value from the flame sensor
  int digitalValue = digitalRead(digitalPin);

  // Print the values to the Serial Monitor
  Serial.print("Analog Value: ");
  Serial.print(analogValue);
  Serial.print(" | Digital Value: ");
  Serial.println(digitalValue);

  // Add a small delay to avoid flooding the Serial Monitor
  delay(500);
}

Explanation:

1. The flameSensorPin variable is defined to represent the pin connected to the flame sensor’s OUT pin.
2. In the setup() function, the serial monitor is initialized, and the flameSensorPin is set as an input.
3. In the loop() function, the digitalRead() function is used to read the value from the flame sensor pin.
4. If the sensor value is HIGH, it indicates that a flame is detected, and a message is printed to the serial monitor. Otherwise, it indicates no flame is detected.
5. A delay of 1 second is added to prevent excessive serial output.

Additional Features

Once you have a basic flame detection system working, you can explore additional features:

• Trigger an alarm: Connect a buzzer or LED to the ESP32 and activate it when a flame is detected.
• Send notifications: Use the ESP32’s Wi-Fi capabilities to send notifications via email or SMS.
• Integrate with home automation systems: Connect the system to platforms like Home Assistant for remote monitoring and control.

Conclusion

Combining the ESP32 with a flame sensor provides a cost-effective and versatile solution for fire detection applications. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can create a simple yet functional flame detection system that can be customized to suit your specific needs.