In the field of gas safety and environmental monitoring, methane (CH₄) is a major combustible gas, and leak detection has long been an industry challenge. Traditional catalytic combustion sensors are low-cost but prone to poisoning, oxygen-dependent, short-lived, and susceptible to false alarms. With the rise of IoT and wireless monitoring, low-power, high-reliability alternatives have become an inevitable trend.

Nexisense recently launched the TX711-A70 battery-powered low-power infrared methane sensor, based on the latest non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) technology. By integrating precise optical paths, ultra-low-power circuits, and intelligent algorithms, it achieves an ideal balance of compact size, high precision, and long life, providing more reliable solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

NDIR Principle: Why It Outperforms Traditional Catalytic Combustion

NDIR technology uses the selective absorption of specific wavelengths (~3.3μm) by methane molecules to calculate concentration according to the Lambert-Beer law. Infrared light emitted from a source passes through a gas chamber, the target gas absorbs part of the light, and the detector converts the resulting light intensity attenuation into an electrical signal.

Compared with catalytic combustion sensors (which detect heat change from the catalytic reaction on a platinum wire), NDIR offers several intrinsic advantages:

• Oxygen-independent: Catalytic sensors require sufficient oxygen to function and fail in oxygen-deficient or inert environments; NDIR is purely optical, working stably in complex conditions.

• Poison-resistant and interference-resistant: Catalytic elements can be poisoned by silicone, sulfides, etc.; NDIR contains no catalyst and is highly selective, unaffected by common interferences.

• Long life, low drift: Catalytic sensors typically last 2–5 years and require frequent calibration; NDIR optical structures are stable with a projected life of over 10 years, greatly reducing maintenance costs.

• High stability: Not affected by high gas concentrations and cannot be "burned out".

These features make TX711-A70 ideal for long-term unattended or harsh environment applications.

Core Technical Highlights of TX711-A70

TX711-A70 is optimized for battery-powered applications while maintaining high performance:

• Ultra-low power design: Efficient light source drive, low-power algorithms, and sleep mechanisms allow long-term lithium battery operation, suitable for wireless portable devices or remote nodes.

• Built-in temperature compensation: Integrated high-precision temperature sensor with compensation algorithm ensures accuracy across -20℃ to +60℃, minimizing temperature drift errors.

• Compact packaging: Small size allows integration into space-constrained devices, such as handheld detectors or embedded modules.

• Digital output: Standard UART or I2C interface for plug-and-play, simplifying secondary development. Data includes concentration, temperature, and status for easy MCU or wireless module integration.

These features upgrade TX711-A70 from a "sensor" to an "intelligent module," significantly shortening customers’ product launch cycles.

Wide Application Scenarios

The flexibility of TX711-A70 covers multiple high-value areas:

• Residential and commercial gas alarms: Reliable methane leak detection in kitchens, boiler rooms, and other spaces. Oxygen-independent operation ensures performance in basements or poorly ventilated areas.

• Portable methane detectors: Handheld devices for inspectors with long battery life and fast response, suitable for emergency checks and pipeline inspections.

  
  

• Smart city pipeline monitoring: Integrates with LoRa or NB-IoT modules for real-time remote monitoring. Low power supports multi-year maintenance-free operation, enabling smart city gas network upgrades.

• Biogas project safety monitoring: High humidity and high methane environments such as biogas pools and fermentation tanks benefit from NDIR’s stability and interference resistance.

• Industrial process and safety monitoring: In chemical plants, coal mines, LNG stations, TX711-A70 can serve as a wireless node or embedded component, improving overall system reliability.

Why Choose Low-Power NDIR Now?

With the advancement of carbon neutrality goals and widespread IoT adoption in 2025, methane emission monitoring demand has surged. Traditional wired, frequently maintained solutions are inadequate for remote, distributed deployments.

The Nexisense TX711-A70 addresses power consumption, lifespan, and reliability while remaining cost-effective. Compared with some high-end imported NDIR modules, TX711-A70 benefits from domestic supply chain support, making it easier to source and customize.

For engineers developing next-generation gas safety products or smart monitoring systems, this sensor offers a low-risk, high-return upgrade path.

FAQ

• Q1: What is the biggest difference between TX711-A70 and traditional catalytic sensors?
     NDIR optical principle: oxygen-independent, no poisoning risk, longer lifespan, strong interference resistance. Catalytic sensors are prone to failure, require oxygen, and suit low-cost but high-maintenance scenarios.

• Q2: How long can it operate on battery power?
     Depending on configuration and sampling frequency, typical lithium batteries can support several years of continuous operation. Low-power design is a core feature.

• Q3: Is periodic calibration needed?
     NDIR sensors have low drift, typically requiring calibration every 1–2 years, far less frequent than catalytic sensors. Built-in temperature compensation further enhances long-term stability.

• Q4: Can it detect other gases?
     TX711-A70 is highly selective for methane. For multi-gas detection, additional NDIR channels or sensor modules can be combined.

  
  

Conclusion: Small Size, High Value

The Nexisense TX711-A70 battery-powered low-power infrared methane sensor, based on NDIR technology, offers high precision, ultra-low power, oxygen-independent, and long-life performance. It is more than a sensor upgrade; it is a key enabler for smart, wireless gas safety and environmental monitoring.

Whether you are a residential alarm manufacturer, portable instrument developer, or smart pipeline project manager, TX711-A70 provides a reliable, convenient integration solution. The future of safety monitoring will be smarter, longer-lasting, and lower maintenance — and TX711-A70 has paved the way.

If you have specific application requirements or want to learn more technical details, feel free to reach out. Safety starts with precise detection.