Propane Sensor

Propane Sensor SP11

Product Description

The SP11 combustible gas sensor adopts a multi-layer thick film manufacturing process. A heater and a metal oxide semiconductor gas-sensitive layer are made on both sides of the Al₂0₃ ceramic substrate and encapsulated in a metal shell. The conductivity of the sensor changes when the detected gas exists in the ambient air. The higher the concentration of the gas, the higher the conductivity of the sensor. A simple circuit can be used to convert this conductivity change into an output signal corresponding to the gas concentration.

Sensor Features

This product is highly sensitive to propane in a wide concentration range and has the advantages of small size, low power consumption, fast response, fast recovery, simple detection circuit, low cost, long life, good stability and long life.

Main Applications

  1. Combustible gas leak monitoring devices and fire/safety detection systems for homes, factories, and commercial uses.
  2. Combustible gas leak alarm, gas leak detector .

Technical Specifications Table 1

Product Model
SP11
Product Type
Planar semiconductor gas sensor
Standard package
Metal packaging
Detection gas
Liquefied gas
Detection concentration
0-1000ppm liquefied gas
Loop voltage
Vc
5.0V±0.1V AC or DC
Standard circuit conditions
Heating voltage
Vh
≤6V DC
Load resistance
R
Adjustable
Heating power consumption
Rh
55Ω±15Ω (room temperature)
Heating power consumption
Ph
≤450mW
Standard circuit condition
Sensitive body surface resistance
R0
1KΩ~20KΩ (in 2000ppm propane)
Sensitivity
S
Rs(in air)/Rs(in 2000ppm propane) ≥5
Concen-
tration slope
a
≤0.6 (R200/R5)
Temperature, humidity
20℃±2℃; 65%±5% RH
Standard test conditions
Standard test circuit
Vc:5.0V±0.1V, Vu:5.0V±0.1V
Warm-up time
Not less than 48 hours
Oxygen content
21% (not less than 18%, (oxygen concentration will affect the initial value, sensitivity and repeatability of the sensor. Please consult if you use it under low oxygen concentration)
Service life
5 years

Figure 1: Sensor structure diagram

SY21

Basic Circuit

SY21 test circuit

Description: The figure above is the basic test circuit of the SP11 sensor. The sensor needs to apply 2 voltages: heating voltage (VH) and test voltage (VC). VH is used to provide a specific operating temperature for the sensor, and can be powered by a DC power supply or an AC power supply. VRL is the voltage on the load resistor (RL) connected in series with the sensor. VC is the test voltage for the load resistor RL, and a DC power supply must be used.

Sensor Characterization

SJ11

Figure 3: Response recovery curve

The vertical axis in the figure is the resistance ratio of the sensor (RS/R0), and the horizontal axis is the gas concentration. Rs represents the resistance value of the sensor in gases of different concentrations, and R0 represents the value. RS0 represents the resistance value of the sensor in clean air. All tests in the figure were completed under the test conditions of standard sensors .

Figure 4: Sensor linearity curve

The vertical axis in the figure is the resistance ratio of the sensor (RS/RS0). RS2000ppm propane, resistance of the sensor at different temperatures/humidities shows the resistance value under 2000ppm propane, 20℃/55%RH environment conditions.

Long-term stability

EC11 sensor can respond to other gases besides the target gas. The response characteristics of the sensor to several common interfering gases are listed in the table below for reference. The data in the table are typical responses of gases at given concentrations.

SP11

Figure 5: Repeatability curve

Note: All tests in the figure were completed under standard test conditions. The horizontal axis is the observation time and the vertical axis is the VRL value.

Precautions

1. Situations that must be avoided

1.1 Exposure to volatile silicon compound vapor The sensor should avoid exposure to silicon adhesives, hair spray, silicone rubber, putty or other places where volatile silicon compounds exist. If the surface of the sensor is adsorbed with silicon compound vapor, the sensitive material of the sensor will be wrapped by silicon dioxide formed by the decomposition of the silicon compound, which will inhibit the sensitivity of the sensor and cannot be restored.

1.2 Highly corrosive environment

1.3 Alkali, alkali metal salts, halogens When the sensor is exposed to high concentrations of corrosive gases (such as HS, SO,, Cl, HC1, etc.), it will not only cause corrosion or damage to the heating material and sensor leads, but also cause irreversible deterioration of the performance of sensitive materials. When the sensor is contaminated by alkali metals, especially salt water spray, or exposed to halogens such as Freon, it will also cause performance deterioration.

1.4 Contact with water Splashing or immersing the sensor in water will cause the sensor’s sensitivity to decrease.

1.5 Freezing water freezing on the surface of the sensor’s sensitive material will cause the sensitive layer to break and lose its sensitive properties.

1.6 Applied voltage is too high

If the voltage applied to the sensor or heater is higher than the specified value, even if the sensor is not physically damaged or destroyed, it may cause damage to the leads and/or heater and cause the sensor’s sensitivity characteristics to degrade.

1.7 Voltage added to wrong pin

As shown in FIG8 , the sensor pins 1 and 2 are connected to the heating circuit, and the sensor pins 3 and 4 are connected to the measurement circuit; under the premise of meeting the electrical performance requirements of the sensor, the heating and measurement can share the same power supply circuit.

Note: Please pay attention to the protruding mark on the sensor. The two pins next to the mark are heating electrodes.

SV11

2. Situations to avoid as much as possible

2.1 Condensation

Under indoor use conditions, slight condensation will have a slight effect on sensor performance. However, if water condenses on the surface of the sensitive layer and remains for a period of time, the sensor characteristics will deteriorate.

2.2 In high concentration gas

Regardless of whether the sensor is powered on or not, placing it in high-concentration gas for a long time will affect the sensor characteristics. For example, spraying lighter gas directly at the sensor will cause great damage to the sensor.

2.3 Long-term storage

If the sensor is stored for a long time without power, its resistance will have a reversible drift, which is related to the storage environment. The sensor should be stored in a sealed bag that does not contain volatile silicon compounds. Before using the sensor that has been stored for a long time, it needs to be powered on for a longer time to stabilize it.

The storage time and corresponding aging time are recommended as follows:
Storage time
Recommended aging time
Under 1 month
No less than 48 hours
1-6 months
No less than 72hours
6 months and above
No less than 168 hours

Table-2

2.4 Long-term exposure to extreme environments

Regardless of whether the sensor is powered or not, prolonged exposure to extreme conditions such as high humidity, high temperature or high pollution will seriously affect sensor performance.

2.5 Vibration

Frequent, excessive vibration can cause the sensor’s internal leads to resonate and break. This type of vibration can be generated during transportation and by using pneumatic screwdrivers/ultrasonic welders on the assembly line.

2.6 Impact

If the sensor is subjected to a strong impact or falls, its lead wires may break.

2.7 Conditions of Use:

2.7.1 Manual welding is the most ideal welding method for sensors. The recommended welding conditions are as follows:

Flux: Rosin flux with minimal chlorine content

Constant temperature soldering iron

Temperature: ≤350℃

Time: no more than 3 seconds

Violation of the above usage conditions will degrade the sensor characteristics.