Nexisense MH-T4041A Infrared Combustible Gas Sensor | Ultra-Low Power NDIR Module, Empowering Industrial and Portable Safety Monitoring Systems

In the fields of industrial process safety, portable gas detection, heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC), and agricultural environmental control, real-time and reliable monitoring of combustible gases (especially methane CH₄, propane C₃H₈ and other hydrocarbons) is the core link in preventing explosion and poisoning accidents. Traditional catalytic combustion sensors suffer from inherent defects such as susceptibility to poisoning by silanes, halogenated hydrocarbons, sulfides, oxygen-dependent reaction, high power consumption, etc., making them difficult to meet the modern requirements of low power consumption, long lifespan, and high anti-interference in projects.

Nexisense MH-T4041A is an intelligent gas sensor module based on non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) absorption spectroscopy principle, with milliwatt-level power consumption, oxygen-independent, poison-resistant characteristics and long-life design, providing B-end system integrators with a reliable alternative to catalytic combustion elements.

NDIR Principle and Anti-Interference Engineering Optimization

MH-T4041A adopts classic NDIR dual-wavelength differential measurement architecture: infrared light source emits broad-spectrum light, passes through narrowband filters (target channel CWL≈3.31μm corresponding to CH₄ strong absorption peak, reference channel avoiding absorption band) and then through the gas chamber. Target gas absorbs specific band energy, causing attenuation in target channel light intensity, while reference channel is only affected by light source intensity and window contamination. Through dual-channel ratio calculation, automatic compensation for light source aging, temperature drift, and dust deposition is achieved, realizing long-term zero-point stability.

Built-in high-precision thermistor for temperature compensation, combined with algorithm linearization processing, maintains excellent linearity in the -20～+60℃ range. For water vapor interference, the module adopts optical window anti-condensation design and humidity compensation correction, ensuring cross-response <±5%FS in 0～95%RH (non-condensing) environment.

Core Performance Indicators and Engineering Reliability

• Target Gas: Primarily methane (CH₄), compatible with propane, butane and other hydrocarbon combustible gases

• Range: 0～5%/0～10%/0～100%LEL optional (typical 0～5%vol)

• Resolution: 0.01%LEL (1ppm CH₄)

• Accuracy: ±3% reading or ±0.3%LEL (whichever is greater)

• T90 Response Time:<30s

• Power Consumption: Operating<150mW, standby <50mW, supports intermittent sampling to further reduce to μW-level average power consumption

• Output: UART (TTL 3.3V/5V, 9600bps default, configurable), Modbus RTU protocol; optional PWM or analog voltage

• Lifespan: NDIR light source and detector >10 years, no consumable elements

• Environmental Adaptation: -20～+60℃, 0～95%RH, IP65 protection (optional higher)

These characteristics make MH-T4041A particularly suitable for battery-powered portable devices and long-term unattended monitoring scenarios.

Typical Application Scenarios and System Integration Value

Industrial Safety and Process Control

In petrochemical, coal mines, natural gas stations and other explosive environments, MH-T4041A is embedded in fixed gas alarms or multi-gas detection systems, accessing PLC or safety instrumented systems (SIS) via UART/Modbus, achieving graded alarms and interlock shutdown upon concentration exceeding limits (typical 10%/20%/50%LEL).

Portable/Handheld Gas Detectors

Ultra-low power consumption significantly extends lithium battery usage time (typical single 18650 can operate continuously for weeks), high selectivity avoids interference from common industrial gases such as silanes, H₂S, suitable for petrochemical inspection, emergency rescue, underground pipeline corridor personnel-carrying equipment.

HVAC and Indoor Air Quality Monitoring

Integrated into commercial building fresh air systems or ventilation control units, real-time monitoring of pipeline/indoor methane/combustible gas leaks, linked to fans for accelerated exhaust or gas source valve closure, compliant with ASHRAE 62.1 and GB 50346 related ventilation safety requirements.

Agricultural Livestock and Biogas Projects

Monitoring CH₄ concentration around breeding farm biogas digesters and anaerobic fermentation tanks to prevent leakage explosions; ultra-low power consumption supports solar-powered wireless node deployment, remote centralized management via LoRa/NB-IoT gateways.

Selection Guide: Key Parameters for Matching Project Specifications

• Range and Accuracy: 0～5%vol (high-resolution inspection)/0～100%LEL (wide-range industrial)

• Output Interface: UART+Modbus (digital preferred)/analog voltage (traditional instrument compatible)

• Supply Voltage: 3.3V～5.5V (portable devices)/9～24V wide voltage version (fixed installation)

• Protection and Installation: Diffusion type standard / add sampling pump to improve response speed; IP65～IP67 optional

• Gas Target: Default CH₄ optimized, customizable C₃H₈, C₄H₁₀ and other specific hydrocarbon filter

  
  

System Integration Notes and Best Practices

• Installation Position: Probe facing downward below potential leakage source (CH₄ density less than air, tends to diffuse upward)

• Power Supply Design: Recommend LDO voltage regulation + decoupling capacitors to suppress power ripple impact on light source stability

• Communication Protocol: Modbus address default 1, supports function codes 03/06/16; polling interval recommended 5～15s

• Anti-Interference Measures: Keep away from strong electromagnetic fields and vibration sources; signal lines use shielded twisted pair

• Maintenance Strategy: Zero-point verification every 12～24 months (clean air), regular dust-free cleaning of optical window

OEM Customization and Bulk Supply Support

Nexisense provides comprehensive customization services for B2B partners:

• Range, filter band, accuracy grading adjustment

• Output protocol extension (custom frame, I²C, RS485)

• Enclosure form (wall-mounted/embedded/pipeline type), brand labeling

• Factory multi-point calibration report, batch consistency test, traceability management

• Long-term framework agreement, buffer inventory, fast sample delivery

These measures help integrators shorten secondary development cycles, unify supply chains, and meet different certification requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Compared to traditional catalytic combustion sensors, in what specific aspects does MH-T4041A exhibit poison resistance? NDIR is based on optical absorption, no oxygen required for reaction, unaffected by catalytic poisons such as silanes, halogenated hydrocarbons, sulfides, lead-containing compounds, with long-term stable zero point and sensitivity.

2. How does the ultra-low power design achieve longer continuous operation time for portable devices? Average power consumption<150mW, supports intermittent sampling mode (e.g., sampling once every 10s), single lithium battery can achieve weeks to months of operation, significantly better than hundreds of mW for catalytic combustion.

3. What is the module's selectivity for different hydrocarbon gases? Default optimized for CH₄ (3.31μm absorption peak), high response to C₂H₆, C₃H₈, C₄H₁₀, etc., customizable filter for priority detection of specific gases.

4. What key data and function codes does the UART protocol support? Output includes real-time concentration, status code, temperature value, fault flags; supports Modbus RTU, function codes 03 read registers, 06 write single register, 16 write multiple registers.

5. How is reading stability ensured in high-humidity or low-temperature environments? Built-in temperature compensation and humidity correction algorithm, zero drift <±3%FS/year in -20～+60℃, 0～95%RH, optical window anti-condensation design.

6. How to maintain and restore accuracy after optical window contamination? Regularly wipe gently with lint-free cloth + isopropanol; module has built-in reference channel self-diagnosis, can monitor contamination level and trigger maintenance reminder.

7. What customization development options are supported to adapt to special projects? Range adjustment, target gas optimization, output interface type (I²C/RS485), enclosure protection rating upgrade, preset alarm thresholds, etc., development cycle typically 4～8 weeks.

8. How to determine if NDIR light source or detector has degraded after long-term operation? Continuous monitoring of reference channel signal intensity, trigger self-diagnostic alarm when drop exceeds set threshold; typical lifespan >10 years, far exceeding catalytic combustion elements.

Conclusion: Choose Nexisense MH-T4041A to Build an Efficient and Reliable Combustible Gas Monitoring System

Nexisense MH-T4041A infrared combustible gas sensor, with NDIR technology as core, combined with ultra-low power consumption, poison resistance, long lifespan and high integration, provides a solid perception foundation for industrial safety, portable detection, HVAC, and agricultural gas monitoring projects. It helps system integrators reduce total ownership costs, simplify maintenance processes, and significantly improve system reliability and response capability in complex environments.

Welcome gas detection equipment manufacturers, industrial safety solution providers, portable instrument integrators, and project engineering teams to contact Nexisense for detailed specification sheets, sample testing support, or customization scheme discussions. We look forward to becoming your stable partner in the field of combustible gas monitoring, jointly promoting safer and smarter industrial and environmental applications.