MQ-7 Carbon Monoxide (CO) Gas Sensor Module

The MQ-7 Carbon Monoxide (CO) Gas Sensor Module is a highly sensitive, reliable, and easy-to-use device designed to detect carbon monoxide concentrations in the air. Utilizing the advanced sensing capabilities of the MQ-7 gas sensor, this module can measure CO levels from 20 to 2000 ppm, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including home safety, industrial safety systems, and environmental monitoring. It integrates seamlessly with microcontroller platforms like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and other embedded systems, providing real-time CO concentration data with high accuracy.

Key Features

• High Sensitivity to CO: Detects carbon monoxide concentrations ranging from 20 ppm to 2000 ppm.
• Fast Response and Recovery: Quickly responds to CO presence and recovers once the gas is cleared.
• Analog Output: Provides an analog voltage output proportional to the CO concentration.
• Digital Output: Includes a built-in comparator for easy threshold-based digital signal output.
• Adjustable Sensitivity: Onboard potentiometer allows for fine-tuning the sensitivity threshold for digital output.
• Heater Circuit: Built-in heater to ensure stable and consistent sensor performance.
• Durable Design: Robust and long-lasting construction for reliable operation in various environments.
• Easy Integration: Standard pin headers for simple connection to microcontrollers and development boards.
• Low Power Consumption: Efficient operation suitable for continuous monitoring applications.

Applications

• Home Safety: Ideal for use in home CO detectors to alert occupants of dangerous CO levels.
• Industrial Safety: Used in factories and workplaces to monitor CO emissions and ensure worker safety.
• Environmental Monitoring: Tracks CO levels in urban areas, tunnels, parking garages, and other environments.
• Automotive: Monitors exhaust systems and indoor air quality in vehicles.
• HVAC Systems: Ensures air quality by monitoring CO levels in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
• Smart Home Integration: Adds CO detection capabilities to smart home automation systems.

Technical Specifications

• Sensor Type: MQ-7 Carbon Monoxide Sensor
• Detection Range: 20 ppm to 2000 ppm CO
• Operating Voltage: 5V DC
• Output Types:
  • Analog output (0-5V) corresponding to CO concentration
  • Digital output with adjustable threshold
• Preheat Time: 20 seconds
• Heater Voltage: 5V AC or DC
• Dimensions: Typically around 32mm x 20mm x 22mm
• Operating Temperature: -10°C to 50°C
• Humidity Range: Less than 95% RH

Wiring and Connection

1. Connect the Sensor to Microcontroller:
   • VCC: Connect to 5V power supply.
   • GND: Connect to ground.
   • AO: Connect to an analog input pin for reading CO levels.
   • DO: Connect to a digital input pin for threshold-based CO detection.
2. Adjust Sensitivity:
   • Use the onboard potentiometer to set the desired threshold for the digital output.
3. Code Integration:
   • Use analogRead() function for Arduino or equivalent for other platforms to read CO levels from the analog output.
   • Use digitalRead() to monitor the digital output for threshold-based alerts.