19/05/2026
Arduino Fire Detection Using IR Obstacle Sensor (DIY Flame Sensor Hack)
Arduino Fire Detection Using IR Obstacle Sensor (DIY Flame Sensor Hack)
Have you ever started an Arduino fire alarm project only to realize you don’t have a dedicated flame sensor module? Instead of stopping your project or waiting days for delivery, you can actually convert a common IR obstacle avoidance sensor into a basic flame detector.
This simple DIY electronics project is perfect for beginners learning Arduino, robotics, IoT, and sensor-based automation.
🔥 How Does It Work?
An IR obstacle sensor normally works by:
Sending infrared light from the clear IR transmitter LED
Receiving reflected IR light using the black IR receiver
But for flame detection, we can disable the transmitter and use only the receiver.
A flame naturally emits infrared radiation, and the black IR receiver can detect this.
Components Required
Arduino UNO / Nano
IR Obstacle Avoidance Sensor
LED
220Ω Resistor
Breadboard
Jumper Wires
Black Electrical Tape
USB Cable
Step 1 — Modify the IR Sensor
Locate the two LED-like components:
Clear LED → IR transmitter
Black LED → IR receiver
Important:
Cover ONLY the clear IR transmitter LED using black electrical tape.
Do NOT cover the black receiver.
This converts the module from active obstacle detection into passive flame detection mode.
Step 2 — Arduino Wiring
IR Sensor Connections
IR Sensor
Arduino
VCC
5V
GND
GND
DO
D9
LED Connections
LED
Arduino
LED +
D8
LED -
220Ω Resistor → GND
Step 3 — Arduino Code
int sensorPin = 9;
int ledPin = 8;
void setup()
void loop()
Step 4 — Testing the Flame Detection
Use:
Lighter
Candle
Small flame source
Recommended distance:
5cm – 20cm
If detection is weak:
Rotate the blue potentiometer on the IR sensor slowly until sensitivity improves.
How It Works
No Fire
Sensor output = HIGH
LED OFF
Fire Detected
Sensor output = LOW
LED ON
Important Notes
This project works well for:
✅ Arduino beginners
✅ DIY robotics
✅ Basic fire alarm demo
✅ Electronics learning
✅ IoT experiments
However, it is NOT recommended for:
❌ Industrial fire protection
❌ Safety-critical systems
❌ Real security alarm installations
Dedicated flame sensors are always more accurate and reliable.
Final Thoughts
This is one of the coolest low-cost Arduino sensor hacks because it lets you reuse a very common IR obstacle sensor module for fire detection projects.
Perfect for students, robotics workshops, and electronics hobbyists in Bangladesh learning Arduino and IoT systems.
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