With the increasing use of gases, gas leakage problems are also arising. We have seen so many accidents because of the gas leakage issue and therefore we cannot neglect this issue, either in industries or at homes. So, there are sensors like MQ5 that detect gas leakage and warn the people around. So, if you are searching for any gas sensor, this sensor may help you.
An Overview about MQ5 Sensor
MQ5 is a sensitive gas sensor that can detect or sense liquefied gas, propane, butane, natural, and other combustible gases in the environment. And, hence used in gas leakage detectors, and other industrial gas detectors, or monitoring devices. The output voltage of this MQ5 Gas sensor increases when the concentration of gases or a gas increases. We can adjust the sensitivity by adjusting the potentiometer.
Internal Structure of MQ5 sensor
The sensor contains a micro AL2O3 ceramic tube, a sensitive layer of tin dioxide (SnO2), measuring electrode, and heater, fixed into a crust made by plastic and stainless steel net.
Working Principle of MQ5
The sensor includes a sensitive filament formed of tin dioxide. In clean air, this filament has lower electrical conductivity. When there is a combustible gas like LPG in the surrounding, the conductivity of filament rises, and the amount of change in its resistance can show the equivalent gas concentration.
Features and Specifications of MQ5 Sensor
Features
- Small sensitivity to alcohol, smoke.
- Fast response
- Stable and long life
- Simple drive circuit
- Indication of the signal output.
- Dual signal output (analog output, and TTL level output)
- TTL output signal is low. (When low output signal light, and can be connected directly to the microcontroller)
- Liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, city gas, better sensitivity.
- Has a long life and reliable stability
Specifications
- Working Voltage: 4.9V-5.1V
- Heater Resistance: 31±10%
- Adjustable Resistance
- Sensing Resistance Range: 10 – 60K
- Sensor Heat Consumption: 0.5-800mW
- Detecting Concentration: 200-10000ppm
Pinouts of MQ5 Sensor
| Pin Name | Description |
| Vcc | Power Pin requires an operating voltage of 5V. |
| GND | Ground pin. |
| DO | Digital out the pin, to get the digital output from the sensor, need to set the threshold value using Pot. |
| AO | Analog out the pin. It based the output of this pin on the intensity of the methane gas. |
Applications
Gas Leakage Detectors
This system uses the MQ6 sensor and can detect gas leakage. The system may also detect a different level of gas leakage This is competent.
Approach for immediately detecting the gas leakage. With some modifications, the system can also control leakage.
Portable Natural Gas Detectors
Natural gas detectors also use MQ5 sensors. When the sensor senses any gas in the environment, it will give digital output and if gas is not detected the sensor will give no digital output. The microcontroller receives the sensor output as its digital input. If the sensor output is high, then the buzzer or any other output load will start working.
