Arduino Gas Leak Detector
Goal:
Detect gas leaks (like LPG, methane, or propane) and trigger alerts (buzzer, LED, or SMS).
🧰 Components Required
1. Arduino Uno (or Nano/ESP32)
2. MQ-2 or MQ-135 Gas Sensor – Detects gases like LPG, CO, methane, smoke
3. Buzzer – To sound an alarm
4. LEDs (Red & Green) – Visual alert
5. 16x2 LCD Display (optional) – Show gas concentration
6. Relay module (optional) – Control exhaust fan or shutoff valve
7. GSM module (like SIM800L) (optional) – Send SMS alerts
8. Power supply – 5V regulated or via USB
9. Breadboard & jumper wires
⚙️Basic Circuit Design
Connections
MQ-2 Sensor:
VCC → 5V
GND → GND
A0 → A0 (Analog pin on Arduino)
Buzzer:
o → D8
o → GND
Red LED (Leak Alert):
Anode → D9 (via 220Ω resistor)
Cathode → GND
Green LED (Safe):
Anode → D10 (via 220Ω resistor)
Cathode → GND
LCD (if used):
Connect via I2C for simplicity (SDA → A4, SCL → A5)
🧠 Arduino Code Example (Basic)
const int gasSensor = A0;
const int buzzer = 8;
const int redLED = 9;
const int greenLED = 10;
int threshold = 400; // Adjust based on calibration
void setup() {
pinMode(buzzer, OUTPUT);
pinMode(redLED, OUTPUT);
pinMode(greenLED, OUTPUT);
[Link](9600);
void loop() {
int sensorValue = analogRead(gasSensor);
[Link](sensorValue);
if (sensorValue > threshold) {
digitalWrite(buzzer, HIGH);
digitalWrite(redLED, HIGH);
digitalWrite(greenLED, LOW);
} else {
digitalWrite(buzzer, LOW);
digitalWrite(redLED, LOW);
digitalWrite(greenLED, HIGH);
delay(1000);
Optional Enhancements
1. Calibration – Let the sensor heat for 24–48 hours and define a better threshold.
2. SMS Alert – Add a SIM800L or SIM900 module to send a message on leak detection.
3. IoT Dashboard – Use ESP32 + Blynk or MQTT for live monitoring.
4. Battery Backup – Ensure the system works during a power outage.
Project Overview: Gas Leak Detector with ESP32, LCD & SMS
💡 Features:
Detects gases like LPG, methane, and CO (using MQ-2 or MQ-135)
Shows gas level on an LCD
Triggers buzzer and LED alert on leak detection
Sends SMS via SIM800L module
🧰 Components List
Component Description
ESP32 Dev Board Main controller
MQ-2 Sensor Gas detection (LPG, methane, smoke)
SIM800L Module For sending SMS alerts
I2C 16x2 LCD Display gas levels
Buzzer Audible alarm
Red & Green LEDs Visual indicators
Resistors (220Ω) For LEDs
Breadboard + Jumper wires For prototyping
Power Supply 5V 2A regulated for ESP32 + SIM800L
Wiring Diagram
MQ-2 Gas Sensor
VCC → 5V
GND → GND
A0 → GPIO 36 (VP)
I2C LCD Display
SDA → GPIO 21
SCL → GPIO 22
Needs I2C backpack
SIM800L Module
⚠️Needs level shifter or voltage divider for RX
VCC → External 4V–4.2V supply (not ESP32 5V!)
GND → GND
TX → GPIO 16 (RX2)
RX → GPIO 17 (TX2)
Buzzer
o → GPIO 27
o → GND
LEDs
Red LED (Alert): GPIO 25 (with 220Ω resistor)
Green LED (Safe): GPIO 26 (with 220Ω resistor)
💾 Libraries Needed
Install the following from Arduino Library Manager:
LiquidCrystal_I2C
SoftwareSerial (for SIM800L; might not be needed if using HardwareSerial on ESP32)
🧠 Sample Code
#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>
#include <HardwareSerial.h>
#define GAS_SENSOR_PIN 36
#define RED_LED 25
#define GREEN_LED 26
#define BUZZER 27
LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2); // Adjust address if needed
HardwareSerial sim800(2); // Use Serial2 for SIM800L
const int threshold = 400; // Adjust after calibration
void setup() {
[Link](115200);
[Link](9600, SERIAL_8N1, 16, 17); // RX=16, TX=17
pinMode(RED_LED, OUTPUT);
pinMode(GREEN_LED, OUTPUT);
pinMode(BUZZER, OUTPUT);
pinMode(GAS_SENSOR_PIN, INPUT);
[Link]();
[Link]();
[Link](0, 0);
[Link]("Gas Detector");
delay(2000);
[Link]();
void loop() {
int gasValue = analogRead(GAS_SENSOR_PIN);
[Link](gasValue);
[Link](0, 0);
[Link]("Gas: ");
[Link](gasValue);
[Link](" "); // Clear leftovers
if (gasValue > threshold) {
digitalWrite(RED_LED, HIGH);
digitalWrite(GREEN_LED, LOW);
digitalWrite(BUZZER, HIGH);
[Link](0, 1);
[Link]("!!! LEAK ALERT !!!");
sendSMS("Gas leak detected! Value: " + String(gasValue));
delay(10000); // Avoid spamming SMS
} else {
digitalWrite(RED_LED, LOW);
digitalWrite(GREEN_LED, HIGH);
digitalWrite(BUZZER, LOW);
[Link](0, 1);
[Link]("Status: Safe ");
delay(2000); }
void sendSMS(String message) {
[Link]("AT+CMGF=1");
delay(1000);
[Link]("AT+CMGS="+1234567890""); // Replace with your number
delay(1000);
[Link](message);
delay(500);
[Link](26); // CTRL+Z to send
delay(5000);
Fritzing Diagram
step-by-step instructions to model a customizable, splash-proof ESP32 gas leak detector enclosure using
Fusion 360, FreeCAD, or Tinkercad.
Design Overview
Enclosure Dimensions: 100 mm (L) × 70 mm (W) × 30 mm (H)
Top Opening: For LCD (I2C 16x2) → 55 mm × 15 mm
Side Slits: 5 vent slits on one side (20 mm × 2 mm × 2 mm each)
Mounting Holes: Four 4 mm holes at the corners
Snap-Lock Lid: Optional, or screw-on top
🧱 Step-by-Step Modeling (CAD-Agnostic)
🔹 1. Base Box
Create a rectangular box: 100 mm × 70 mm × 30 mm
Shell it from the top, leaving 2.5 mm wall thickness
Bottom thickness: 2 mm
🔹 2. LCD Cutout (Top Face)
Create a rectangular cutout: 55 mm × 15 mm
Position it:
o Centered horizontally (X: 0)
o Offset Y: +15 mm from center (toward one short side)
Cut through top wall
🔹 3. Ventilation Slits (Side Wall)
On one long side:
o Create 5 rectangular slots: 20 mm × 2 mm
o Vertically spaced: 4 mm apart
o Start 8 mm from base and stack up
🔹 4. Mounting Holes (Corners)
Create 4 holes:
o Diameter: 4 mm
o Center positions: ±45 mm (X), ±30 mm (Y) from center
Through the bottom plate
🔹 5. Snap Lock or Lid
Option A: Snap Fit
Design top lip (1 mm thick) with a step groove
Add matching groove in the lid
Add small chamfers or fillets for easy fit
Option B: Screw-on Lid
Add 4 screw bosses (cylindrical pads inside corners)
Add matching holes on lid with clearance
📦 Optional Features
Cable holes: Add 8 mm diameter circular holes for sensor wires, SIM800L antenna, and USB port.
Text labels: Add embossed or engraved labels (LCD, Power, Sensor, GSM).
Wall-mount flanges: Extend sides with 5 mm tabs and extra mounting holes.
🧰 Tools
You can build this in:
Fusion 360: Use “Shell,” “Combine,” and “Fillet” tools
FreeCAD: Use Part or Part Design workbench with "Pocket" and "Pad"
Tinkercad: Use “Hole” shapes and “Group” to subtract features
Tinkercad Enclosure Model
You can access and customize the enclosure model here:
👉 [Link]
Features of the Model
ESP32 Mounting: Designed to securely hold an ESP32 development board.
Ventilation: Includes side slits for airflow, suitable for gas sensors like the MQ-135.
LCD Display Cutout: Top panel accommodates a 16x2 I2C LCD display.
Additional Components: Space allocated for components such as the SIM800L GSM module, buzzer,
and indicator LEDs.
Mounting Options: Features for wall-mounting or tabletop placement.
🧰 Customization Steps
To tailor the enclosure to your specific needs:
1. Duplicate the Design: Click on the link above and select "Duplicate and Tinker" to create your own
editable copy.
2. Adjust Dimensions: Modify the enclosure size to fit your components, ensuring adequate space for
wiring and airflow.
3. Add Cutouts: Use the "Hole" feature to create openings for the MQ-135 sensor, SIM800L antenna,
USB ports, and any other necessary access points.
4. Incorporate Mounting Features: Add holes or brackets for mounting the enclosure to a wall or other
surfaces.
5. Label Components: Utilize the "Text" tool to label different parts of the enclosure for clarity.
Once you've customized the design:
Export as STL: Click on "Export" and choose the STL format for 3D printing.
Prepare for Printing: Use slicing software like Cura to prepare the STL file for your 3D printer.
Print the Enclosure: Print the enclosure using suitable filament material, considering factors like heat
resistance and durability.
