How to connect MQ135 to other sensors?


To connect an MQ135 gas sensor with other sensors to your microcontroller (e.g., STM32, Arduino, ESP32), you essentially build a multi-sensor system where each sensor's signal is read through different GPIO or ADC channels. The MQ135 is an analog gas sensor (sometimes with a digital threshold output), so it's easy to integrate with others.
1. Understand the MQ135 Sensor
Pin | Description |
VCC | Power supply (typically 5V) |
GND | Ground |
AOUT | Analog output (gas level) |
DOUT | Digital output (threshold set via onboard potentiometer) |
2. Basic Wiring with Other Sensors
Example: MQ135 + DHT11 (temperature) + Hall Sensor
Sensor | Signal Type | Connect To |
MQ135 | Analog | ADC pin (e.g., A0) |
DHT11 | Digital | GPIO with pull-up |
Hall | Digital | GPIO (interrupt or poll) |
Wiring Example:
plaintext
[ MQ135 ] --> A0 (analog input)
[ DHT11 ] --> D2 (digital GPIO)
[ Hall ] --> D3 (digital GPIO or interrupt)
[ GNDs ] --> Common ground
[ VCCs ] --> 5V (if all support it) or use level shifters
Important: If you're using a 3.3V microcontroller (e.g., ESP32, STM32), and the MQ135 is 5V-only, use a voltage divider or level shifter on the analog line.
3. Power Considerations
MQ135 consumes ~150 mA during warm-up – don’t power it from a weak GPIO pin.
Ensure your 5V rail (e.g., from USB or regulator) can handle total current for all sensors.
4. Reading Sensor Data in Code
Example in Arduino-like pseudocode:
cpp
int mq135_value = analogRead(A0);
int hall_value = digitalRead(D3);
float temperature = dht.readTemperature();
5. Timing & Sampling
MQ135 needs a few minutes warm-up for stable readings.
Avoid reading all sensors at once—use timers or delays to balance CPU load.
Summary
Sensor | Output Type | Connect To |
MQ135 | Analog | ADC pin |
MQ135 | Digital | GPIO (optional) |
Others | Analog/Digital | ADC or GPIO |
Use shared GND and 5V (or 3.3V) rails
Don’t overload ADC channels — 1 analog sensor per ADC pin
Use voltage dividers if interfacing 5V sensor with 3.3V MCU
Subscribe to my newsletter
Read articles from ampheo directly inside your inbox. Subscribe to the newsletter, and don't miss out.
Written by
