MQ3 Alcohol Gas Sensor

MQ3 Alcohol Gas Sensor 

The MQ-3 Alcohol Gas Sensor is a semiconductor sensor designed to detect alcohol vapor (ethanol) in the air. It uses a tin dioxide (SnO?) sensing element whose resistance changes when exposed to alcohol molecules. The sensor includes a built-in heater to maintain the proper operating temperature, allowing reliable detection. It provides an analog output that varies with alcohol concentration, making it suitable for interfacing with microcontrollers and analog circuits. The MQ-3 is commonly used in breath alcohol detectors, safety systems, and educational projects.

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Features

• Sensitive to alcohol vapor (ethanol)
• Analog output proportional to alcohol concentration
• Integrated heater for stable and accurate sensing
• High sensitivity and fast response time
• Simple interface with microcontrollers (ADC required)
• Compact size and low cost
• Long operational life

Applications

• Breath alcohol detection and monitoring devices
• Vehicle safety systems and ignition interlocks (prototyping)
• Portable alcohol vapor detectors
• Workplace and public safety monitoring
• Smart home automation alerts
• Environmental air quality monitoring
• Educational and hobbyist electronics projects
• Embedded and IoT sensor applications