Catalytic Gas Sensor

（Model: MC115）

Manual

Version: 1.3
Valid from: 2014-05-01

Zhengzhou Winsen Electronics Technology Co., Ltd

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Zhengzhou Winsen Electronics Technology CO., LTD

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MC115 Catalytic Flammable Gas Sensor

Profile
MC115 adopts catalytic combustion principle,
and its two arms of electric bridge consists of a
test element and a compensate element. The
resistance of the test element rises once it
meets the combustible gases, in the same time,
the output voltage of the bridge changes and
the voltage variation rises in direct proportion to
the gas concentration. The compensate element,
as a conference, has the function of
compensating temperature and humidity.

Features
It has good sensitivity to methane in wide range, and has advantages such as long lifespan, low cost and
simple drive circuit &etc. The bridge output is linear, quick response, good repeatability and selectivity,
good stability, excellent resistance to the interference of H2S gas and organosilicone.

Main Applications
It is widely used in industrial occasion to detect the concentration of natural gas, LPG, CO and alkanes.
It is also used in combustible gas leakage alarm system,
combustible gas detector and gas concentration meter
and so on.
Technical Parameters
Model MC115
Sensor Type Catalytic
Standard Encapsulation Metal

Working voltage(V) 3.0±0.1

Anti-explosion Mark ExdibⅠ
Working current(mA) 105±10
Fig1.Sensor structure
Sensitivity (mV/1% CH4) 20 to 40

Linearity ≤5%
Measuring range(%LEL) 0 to 100
Response Time (90%) ≤10s
Recovery Time (90%) ≤30s
Working Environment -40 to +70℃, less than 95%RH

Storage Environment -20 to +70℃, less than 95%RH

Size (mm) Φ6×6.5

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- +
Fig2. Basic Test Circuit
Sensitivity, response and recovery

Fig3. Sensitivity Curve Fig4. Response and recovery curve

Changing of output signal at different temperature

Fig5.Zero point at different temp.

Temp. Characteristic Fig6.Sensitivity at different temp.
Temp. Characteristic

Temp. ℃
Temp. ℃

Changing of output signal at different humidity

Output(mV) Humidity Characteristic

Humidity Characteristic

Humidity
Humidity

Fig7. Zero point at different humidity Fig8. Sensitivity at different humidity

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Changing of output signal with different voltage supplying

Output(mV)

In Air In 1%CH4
In Air

Fig9. Zero point with different voltage Fig1

Long-term Stability
The drift in air per year is within ± 2mV, in 1%CH4 is within ± 2mV. For a short period storage (in 2
weeks), the sensor need to be electrify continuously for 8 hours to reach stability. For more than one
year storage, it need more than 48 hours.

Time (weeks)
Fig11. Sensitivity fluctuation

Cautions
1. Following conditions must be prohibited
1.1 Exposed to organic silicon steam
Sensing material will lose sensitivity and never recover if the sensor absorbs organic silicon stea
m. Sensors must avoid exposing to silicon bond, hair spray, silicon latex, putty or plastic contain
silicon environment.
1.2 High Corrosive gas
If the sensors are exposed to high concentration corrosive gas (such as H2S, SOX, Cl2, HCl etc.), it will
not only result in corrosion of sensors structure, also it cause sincere sensitivity attenuation.
1.3 Alkali, Alkali metals salt, halogen pollution
The sensors performance will be changed badly if sensors be sprayed polluted by alkali metals salt
especially brine, or be exposed to halogen such as fluorine.
1.4 Touch water

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Sensitivity of the sensors will be reduced when spattered or dipped in water.

1.5 Freezing
Do avoid icing on sensor’s surface, otherwise sensing material will be broken and lost sensitivity.
1.6 Applied higher voltage
Applied voltage on sensor should not be higher than stipulated value, even if the sensor is not
physically damaged or broken, it causes down-line or heater damaged, and bring on sensors’ sensitivity
characteristic changed badly.
1.7 Pins connection
When the sensor is connecting to the circuit, one of detection part pins and one of compensation part
pins connects as the signal output. The other one of detection part pins connects negative electrode,
while the other one of compensation part pins connects positive electrode. The part with bigger hole is
the detection part, the other part is the compensation part.
2. Following conditions must be avoided
2.1 Water Condensation
Indoor conditions, slight water condensation will influence sensors’ performance lightly. However, if
water condensation on sensors surface and keep a certain period, sensors’ sensitive will be decreased.
2.2 Used in high gas concentration
No matter the sensor is electrified or not, if it is placed in high gas concentration for long time, sensors
characteristic will be affected. If lighter gas sprays the sensor, it will cause extremely damage.
2.3 Long time storage
The sensors resistance will drift reversibly if it’s stored for long time without electrify, this drift is
related with storage conditions. Sensors should be stored in airproof bag without volatile silicon
compound. For the sensors with long time storage but no electrify, they need long galvanical aging
time for stability before using. The suggested aging time is 24 hours at least if the storage time is more
than half an year.
2.4 Long time exposed to adverse environment
No matter the sensors electrified or not, if exposed to adverse environment for long time, such as high
humidity, high temperature, or high pollution etc., it will influence the sensors’ performance badly.
2.5 Vibration
Continual vibration will result in sensors down-lead response then break. In transportation or
assembling line, pneumatic screwdriver/ultrasonic welding machine can lead this vibration.
2.6 Concussion
If sensors meet strong concussion, it may lead its lead wire disconnected.
2.7 Usage Conditions
2.7.1 For sensor, handmade welding is optimal way. The welding conditions as follow:
 Soldering flux: Rosin soldering flux contains least chlorine
 Homothermal soldering iron
 Temperature: 250℃
 Time: less than 3 seconds
2.7.2 If users choose wave-soldering, the following conditions should be obey
 Soldering flux: Rosin soldering flux contains least chlorine
 Speed: 1-2 meter per minute
 Warm-up temperature: 100±20℃
 Welding temperature: 250±10℃
 One time pass wave crest welding machine

If disobey the above using terms, sensors sensitivity will be reduced.

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