Waveshare MQ-5 Combustible Gas Sensor Module - 200-10000ppm LPG/Natural Gas Detection

The MQ-5 module operates from 2.5V to 5.0V DC. This wide range makes it compatible with both 3.3V logic systems (like ESP32 or Raspberry Pi) and standard 5V Arduino boards without requiring a logic level shifter.

Connect the module's VCC and GND to your Arduino's 5V and GND pins. The analog output pin (AO) connects to any Arduino analog input pin (e.g., A0). You can then read the voltage value with analogRead() and map it to an estimated gas concentration, using the on-board potentiometer to calibrate sensitivity.

The MQ-5 is primarily sensitive to combustible gases including Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), natural gas (methane), propane, iso-butane, and coal gas. It is designed to have reduced sensitivity to alcohol and cooking fumes to minimize false alarms in household applications.

Yes, like most metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensors, the MQ-5 requires an initial pre-heating period after power-on for the sensing element to stabilize. Allow approximately 24 hours for the first-time use or after a long storage period, and 2-3 minutes for subsequent warm-ups for accurate readings.

Sensitivity is adjusted via the blue potentiometer on the module. Rotating it changes the threshold for the analog output. For basic digital alarm applications, you can also use the digital output pin (DO), which goes high/low based on a concentration threshold set by this same potentiometer.