27929

Web Site: www.parallax.com Forums: forums.parallax.com Sales: sales@parallax.com Technical: support@parallax.com Office: (916) 624-8333 Fax: (916) 624-8003 Sales: (888) 512-1024 Tech Support: (888) 997-8267 CO2 Gas Sensor Module (#27929) The CO2 Gas Sensor Module is designed to allow a microcontroller to determine when a preset Carbon Dioxide gas level has been reached or exceeded. Interfacing with this sensor is done through a 4-pin SIP header and requires two I/O pins from the host microcontroller. The sensor module is intended to provide a means of comparing gas sources and being able to set an alarm limit when the source becomes excessive. Parallax does not provide gas calibration data on this module and such data as well as the alarm settings are the responsibility of the user to define. For information on calibration please see page 3. Features    Application Ideas Easy SIP header interface Compatible with most microcontrollers Low-power standby mode    Gas level over-limit alarm Stand-alone/background sensing device Environmental monitoring equipment Key Specifications     Power requirements: 6.5 – 12 VDC @ ~165 mA (heater on) / ~1.2 mA (heater off) Interface: 1 TTL compatible input (CNTL), 1 TTL compatible output (ALR) Operating temperature: 32°F to 158°F (0°C to 70°C) Dimensions: 1.50” x 1.00” x 1.00” (38.1 mm x 25.4 mm x 25.4 mm) Packing List    Gas Sensor Gas Sensor PCB Assembly Potentiometer adjustment tool Precautions Be aware that the gas detected by this gas sensor can be deadly in high concentrations. 1% (10,000 ppm) will make some people feel drowsy. Concentrations of 7% to 10% can cause dizziness, headache, visual and hearing dysfunction and unconsciousness within a few minutes to an hour. Always be careful to perform gas tests in well-ventilated areas. THIS GAS SENSOR MODULE IS NOT DESIGNED FOR OR APPROVED FOR ANY APPLICATION INVOLVING HEALTH OR HUMAN SAFETY. THIS GAS SENSOR MODULE IS FOR EXPERIMENTAL PURPOSES ONLY. PARALLAX, INC. ABSOLVES ITSELF OF ALL LIABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE CUSTOMER'S USE OF THIS GAS SENSOR MODULE AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY BODILY INJURY, DEATH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF USING THIS GAS SENSOR MODULE. IMPORTANT: CO2 SENSORS ARE POLARIZED. SENSORS FROM THE FACTORY HAVE A RED DOT ON ONE SIDE. WHEN INSERTING THE SENSOR INTO THE SOCKET ON THE MODULE THE RED DOT MUST BE TO THE LEFT IF YOU’RE LOOKING AT THE FRONT OF THE MODULE WITH THE PINS DOWN. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS WILL CAUSE THE SENSOR TO MALFUNCTION AND PREVENT CALIBRATION. Copyright © Parallax Inc. CO2 Gas Sensor Module (#27929) v1.0 2/25/2010 Page 1 of 4 Connecting and Testing The 4-pin SIP header on the Gas Sensor Module makes it easy to connect to a breadboard or SIP socket. The four connections are defined in the table below. Connection to a microcontroller, such as the BASIC Stamp® module or Propeller chip, is pretty straight forward and requires two I/O pins; one input for detecting the alarm signal and another output for controlling the internal heater. Pin Definitions and Ratings Pin Name E1 E2 E3 E4 CNTL ALM VIN GND Function Heat switch input from microcontroller, active HIGH Alarm output to host microcontroller, active HIGH Input voltage Ground, connects to common ground TP1 Test Point 1+ Buffered output of sensor (buffer/amplifier) TP2 Test Point 2- Ground, connects to common ground TP3 Test Point 3+ Trip Level voltage set by potentiometer (R3) TP4 Test Point 4- Ground, connects to common ground * The CNTL line is internally pulled down to 0V via a 150 kΩ resistor. NOTE: Sensor may rattle if shaken – this is normal. Copyright © Parallax Inc. Level CO2 Gas Sensor Module (#27929) 0V – 12VDC 0V / 3.3V +6.5 – 12VDC 0V 0V – 3.35V 0V 0V – 3.3V 0V v1.0 2/25/2010 Page 2 of 4 Theory of Operation The CO2 gas sensor module uses a gas sensor (MG811) from Hanwei Electronics. When the internal heating element is activated, this gas sensor responds to CO2 gas by generating a small voltage in proportion to the amount of CO2 gas present in the air exposed to the internal element. The sensor is a high impedance device and requires a buffer/amplifier to measure the output. The output from the buffer/amplifier (op-amp) is then sent to the inverting input of another op-amp in the same package (LMC6035) which is configured as a comparator. A voltage divider formed by R3 is used to provide a reference voltage. The output of this voltage divider is fed into the non-inverting inputs of the second op-amp on the LMC6035 dual op-amp IC. The buffered output of the sensor can be measured for the signal voltage at TP1 (+) and TP2 (-). The reference voltage is available at TP3 (+) and TP4 (-). The output of op-amp B goes out to the ALR pin through a 1 kΩ resistor providing a TTL-compatible signal to a microcontroller. This output also connects to a red LED on the gas sensor module. The trip level adjustment is set via potentiometer R3. This is just a simple voltage divider that lets you set the voltage from 0V to 3.3V. This voltage is compared to the voltage coming from the gas sensor buffer/opamp. When the voltage from the gas sensor is lower than the voltage set by potentiometer R3 the red LED will light and the ALR output will be high (3.3 V). The voltage from the sensor actually drops as CO2 increases. The section below describes how to configure these gas sensor modules to detect gas with minimal calibration. Calibration The procedure for setting the potentiometer is explained below. Please note that turning the potentiometer clockwise decreases voltage, while turning the potentiometer counter-clockwise increases it. This can be compared to a water valve.       Place the Gas Sensor Module in a clean air environment and supply power to the module. The heater should be active during this time. Allow at least 5 minutes before making adjustments. Measure the voltage at TP1 (+) and TP2 (-). It should be between 1.5 – 2V, but could be from 1V – 3.3V. Adjust potentiometer R3 (Trip Level) until the voltage across TP3 (+) and TP4 (-) reads approximately just below the reading from TP1/TP2. The LED should go out. Apply your gas source to the gas sensor. The LED should light up. Remove the gas source and allow the sensor to settle. The LED should go back out. If the LED does not go out within 60 seconds, adjust R3 until the LED goes out and repeat the two previous steps. The gas sensor module’s ALR pin should only be checked when the heater is on and the readings have stabilized. Sources of Gas for Calibration / Testing Your breath contains CO2 gas when you exhale. However you also have to be aware that contaminants can affect the calibration of the sensor. Your breath also contains moisture and potentially other particulates. Breathing briefly on the sensor with a single breath is a convenient way to see it react to CO2. Resources and Downloads You may download the manufacturer datasheet, etc. from the gas sensor product page on our website by browsing to http://www.parallax.com and typing 27929 into our search box and clicking, “GO”. Copyright © Parallax Inc. CO2 Gas Sensor Module (#27929) v1.0 2/25/2010 Page 3 of 4 Module Schematic Copyright © Parallax Inc. CO2 Gas Sensor Module (#27929) v1.0 2/25/2010 Page 4 of 4