What is the difference between smoke detectors?
Both of these types of smoke detectors are designed to detect smoke in the air. The ionization detector responds slightly quicker to flaming fires (like draperies), with smaller particles of combustion, while the photo-electric detector responds quicker to smoldering fires (like a cigarette.) However, both types of smoke detectors have to pass the same test to be certified as a UL smoke detector, and both will warn you in almost all cases of fires.
