MQ-5 Gas Sensor Module (Methane & LPG Leakage Detector)
Ensure high-precision leak detection and safety monitoring in your automation environments with the industrial-grade MQ-5 Gas Sensor Module. Specifically engineered to safeguard spaces against highly flammable and combustible gases, this module utilizes an advanced tin dioxide semiconductor sensing layer that experiences low conductivity in clean air but spikes sharply when targeted gases are present.
The MQ-5 sensor is heavily optimized to detect Methane, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and natural gas with exceptional speed, while exhibiting very low cross-sensitivity to standard alcohol fumes, cooking smoke, or airborne particles. It serves as an essential safety shield for smart kitchen gas banks, industrial storage warehouses, natural gas pipelines, and portable gas leakage checkers.
Key Features
Methane & Natural Gas Specialization: Highly sensitive to Methane and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), making it the perfect choice for utility monitoring and home gas lines.
Dual Output Architecture: Built with both a Digital Output for instantaneous high/low safety alarm triggers and an Analog Output for real-time parts-per-million concentration mapping.
Adjustable Alarm Threshold: Features an onboard multi-turn potentiometer, allowing you to finely adjust the digital trigger point to match your specific clean-air background baseline.
Onboard Voltage Comparator: Assembled with a highly stable comparator integrated circuit, ensuring clean, sharp digital square waves that eliminate false triggers.
Explosion-Proof Stainless Steel Mesh: Designed with a dual-layer stainless steel mesh cover that protects the internal heated filament while preventing external spark risks.
Real-Time LED Status Monitoring: Equipped with two independent indicators—one for central power tracking and another that lights up instantly when gas levels pass your preset safety limit.
Technical Specifications
Feature | Specification |
Sensor Type | Semiconductor Gas Sensor (MQ-5) |
Target Gases | Methane, LPG, Natural Gas (and low sensitivity to coal gas) |
Operating Voltage | 5V DC Nominal |
Operating Current | Approx. 150 mA |
Detection Concentration Range | 200 to 10000 ppm (Parts-Per-Million) |
Output Type | Dual Output: Analog Output + Digital Output |
Active Logic State | Digital Output drops LOW (0V) when gas thresholds are crossed |
Mounting Layout | Pre-drilled screw holes for secure panel or wall attachment |
Board Dimensions | 32 mm x 20 mm x 22 mm |
Hardware Wiring & Pin Mapping
The module breaks out a 4-pin interface that maps directly to standard microcontrollers like Arduino, ESP32, STM32, and Raspberry Pi:
VCC: Connects to a stable +5V DC power supply rail. (Requires a dedicated 5V source to correctly power the internal heating element).
GND: System Ground Reference.
DO (Digital Output): Outputs a stable High/Low logic level. Connect this straight to a digital input or hardware interrupt pin. It stays HIGH in standard conditions and drops LOW when gas leakages cross your threshold.
AO (Analog Output): Outputs a varying voltage signal corresponding directly to the concentration of combustible gas in the air. Connect this to an analog pin to process exact parts-per-million calculations.
Common Applications
Natural Gas Pipe Infrastructure: Mount along main domestic pipelines or gas meters to immediately alert users of an active methane leak.
Smart Kitchen Gas Alarms: Deploy near domestic gas cylinders or kitchen stoves to instantly trigger sound buzzers, exhaust fans, or push smartphone alerts if an LPG leak occurs.
Industrial Monitoring Control Panels: Deploy inside electrical distribution boxes or manufacturing facilities to cut power networks instantly if flammable gas concentrations accumulate.
Biogas Plant Telemetry: Ideal for tracking methane output production levels within eco-friendly bio-digester setups.
💡 Operating Tip: The MQ-5 sensor requires a "Preheat / Burn-in" period before it can output accurate readings. After powering the module on for the very first time, let it sit powered up for 24 to 48 hours to balance the internal chemical sensing element. For subsequent uses, allow 1 to 2 minutes of warm-up time until the heater stabilizes. The module will become warm to the touch during normal operation—this is perfectly normal behavior for the internal heater loop.
Package Includes:
1 x MQ-5 Gas Sensor Module (4-Pin Breakout Board)