The Kidde sensing element in aircraft fire detection operates primarily through which mechanism?

The Kidde sensing element in aircraft fire detection operates primarily through temperature variations. This system is designed to monitor and respond to the increase in temperature associated with a fire. The sensing element can detect specific thresholds of temperature increase, which indicates the presence of heat that could signal a fire.

When the temperature rises, the sensing element triggers an alarm, highlighting the potential hazard and prompting appropriate safety measures. This temperature-based detection method is particularly effective in environments such as aircraft, where rapid identification of fire conditions is crucial for safety.

Other mechanisms, such as optical sensing, flame detection, or pressure change, are not the primary functioning principles for the Kidde system. Optical sensing involves the detection of light emissions from flames, while flame detection is more focused on identifying the actual presence of combustion. Pressure change mechanisms would alter based on different conditions rather than directly responding to temperature variations linked to fire. Therefore, the emphasis on temperature variations accurately reflects how the Kidde system is designed to operate in detecting potential fire events.