The MQ-4 Methane / Natural Gas Sensor is a semiconductor gas sensor designed primarily for detecting methane (CH₄), the main component of natural gas. It can also respond to other combustible gases, making it useful for gas-sensing experiments and prototype monitoring systems.
The sensor uses a heated sensing element whose electrical resistance changes in response to the presence of target gases. This change can be measured through an appropriate circuit to estimate the relative gas concentration.
The MQ-4 is commonly available as a sensor module with an onboard signal-conditioning circuit and adjustable sensitivity. Depending on the module version, it may provide both analog and digital outputs, making it convenient to interface with Arduino and other microcontroller platforms.
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Key Features
- Methane Detection: Designed primarily for detecting methane (CH₄).
- Natural Gas Sensing: Suitable for experiments involving natural gas detection.
- Semiconductor Sensing Element: Uses a heated metal-oxide sensing element to detect changes in gas concentration.
- Analog Output: Provides a varying signal that can be read using a microcontroller's analog input (module version dependent).
- Digital Output: Some module versions include an adjustable threshold and digital output.
- Microcontroller Compatible: Commonly used with Arduino and other development boards.
- Adjustable Sensitivity: Module versions with an onboard potentiometer allow digital detection threshold adjustment.
Applications
- Methane gas detection experiments
- Natural gas sensing prototypes
- Arduino-based gas monitoring projects
- Educational electronics and science projects
- Microcontroller-based environmental monitoring experiments
- Gas sensor calibration and testing demonstrations
Package Includes
- 1 × MQ-4 Methane / Natural Gas Sensor Module
Product Note
- The MQ-4 requires a warm-up period for stable readings. Its heater consumes power during operation.
- Sensor readings are affected by temperature, humidity, aging, and other gases. Calibration is necessary for meaningful measurements.
- The digital output threshold, where available, can be adjusted using the onboard potentiometer.
- This is an educational and prototyping sensor module, not a certified gas safety alarm. Do not rely on it for detecting gas leaks, protecting people or property, or making safety-critical decisions. Use certified gas detection equipment for real-world safety applications.
- Confirm the module's pin labels and output voltage before connecting it to a microcontroller, especially one with 3.3V-only inputs.
Available at Microspark Store – Your Trusted Electronic Component Store! At Microspark Store, we ensure every product is quality-checked and tested before shipping, so you can buy with confidence and start building without worries.
Please Note: Product information has been collected from various sources across the web. While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, slight variations may still occur. Kindly verify the specifications and compatibility before using this module in your projects.
Disclaimer: Images shown are for illustration only and may not exactly represent the final product. Minor differences may occur due to lighting, display variations, or manufacturer updates. We reserve the right to make changes to the product without prior notice.
