- A device that is used to detect the presence of hydrogen gas in the air is known as a Hydrogen sensor. These types of sensors include micro-fabricated point-contact hydrogen gas sensors which help in detecting hydrogen leaks. These sensors have many benefits such as being compact, less costly, simple to maintain, and strong.
What is an MQ8 Hydrogen Sensor?
- MQ8 hydrogen gas sensor is a Metal oxide semiconductor type sensor. This sensor is easy to use and detects hydrogen gas concentration in the range of 100-10000ppm anywhere.
- The sensitive material of the MQ-8 gas sensor is SnO2, which with lower conductivity in clean air. When hydrogen gas exists, the sensor’s conductivity gets higher along with the gas concentration rising. Users can convert the change of conductivity to correspond output signal of gas concentration through a simple circuit.
- MQ-8 gas sensor has a high sensitivity to hydrogen gas and also has anti-interference to other gases. This sensor can detect hydrogen, especially city gas. It is a kind of low-cost sensor for kinds of applications.
Pin Configuration
- Pin1 (VCC): This pin provides the input voltage for the sensor.
- Pin2 (GND): This is a Ground pin.
- Pin3 (DOUT): This is a digital signal output pin.
- Pin4 (AOUT): This is an analog signal output pin.
Features of MQ8 Hydrogen Gas Sensor
- Operating Voltage: 5V DC.
- Detects H2 Gas concentration in air.
- Resistant to LPG, smoke, alcohol.
- Heater power consumption: < 800mW.
- Can detect H2 gas in the concentration range of 100 to 1000ppm.
- Interface type: Analog.
- Pin Definition: 1-Output 2-GND 3-VCC.
- High sensitivity to Hydrogen (H2).
- Small sensitivity to alcohol, LPG, and cooking fumes.
- Stable and long life.
- Size: 40x20mm.
Working of an MQ-8 Hydrogen Gas Sensor
- A gas sensor can detect the concentration of a specific gas in the air. Depending upon the concentration of the gas, the sensor generates a potential difference by changing the resistance of the sensing element, which can then be measured as the output voltage. MQ-8 hydrogen gas sensor consists of a sensing element which is aluminum-oxide-based ceramic, coated with tin dioxide (SnO2), enclosed in a stainless-steel mesh. In the case of any H2 in the air, the resistivity of the sensing element changes, and the change is measured to get the concentration of the gas present. MQ-8 sensor can detect H2 in the concentration range of 100-1000ppm.
Applications of MQ-8 Hydrogen Gas Sensor
- Detect leakages in the industry.
- Used in mines.
- Can be used in refrigerators and AC.
- hydrogen concentration within the air.
