Battery-Powered Portable
- Coin cell or Li-SOCl₂ battery
- Months to years of run time
- Portable patrol and handheld detection
Best for: patrol instruments, handheld leak detectors, personal gas monitors.
Ningbo Xingpu XPSN401A / Low-Power NDIR Infrared Gas Sensors
Ningbo Xingpu XPSN401A Low-Power Infrared Sensors
Low-power NDIR infrared gas sensors with average current under 1.2 mA — 15 models covering CO₂ (1% – 100% VOL across 5 ranges), combustible gases (methane / propane / isobutane / ethanol, 0–100% LFL, including a 3-gas switchable model) and refrigerant gases (R32 / R410a/b / R454a/b / R290 / R600A, 0–100% LFL). φ20 × 16.6 mm compact package, ≤ 10 g, no catalytic poisoning, long-term stable, Ex ia IIC T4 Ga intrinsically safe, designed lifetime 5 years.
- 15 Product Models
- 3 Gas Families
- < 1.2 mA Average Current
- φ20×16.6 mm Package Size
- 5 yr Designed Lifetime
Why Pick Low-Power NDIR for Battery-Powered Devices?
Standard NDIR sensors draw tens to hundreds of milliamps on average, and catalytic sensors rely on a heated element — neither fits battery power. The XPSN401A keeps average current under 1.2 mA, so a coin cell or a single lithium-thionyl-chloride cell lasts months to years — the only realistic infrared option for portable instruments, wireless nodes and energy-storage scenarios.
| Aspect | Standard NDIR / Catalytic | XPSN401A Low-Power NDIR (this range) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Current | Tens to hundreds of mA | < 1.2 mA |
| Package Size | Larger | φ20 × 16.6 mm compact |
| Weight | Heavier | ≤ 10 g |
| Suited Power | Mains / large battery | Battery / portable / wireless node |
| Poisoning Risk | Catalytic prone to silicone poisoning | No catalytic poisoning, long-term stable |
| Lifetime | Catalytic 2 – 3 years | 5 years |
Selection Guide
Five Steps to Specify a Low-Power NDIR Sensor
Specifying a low-power NDIR sensor is about picking the gas family first, then the specific refrigerant or combustible gas. Five steps and the model falls out.
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① Pick the gas family
Choose one of three: CO₂ (HVAC / greenhouse / flue gas), combustible gas (gas alarms / LPG / industrial) or refrigerant gas (leak / plant room). Each has its own XPSN401A models.
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② Fix the range
CO₂ ranges: 1% / 5% / 20% / 60% / 100% VOL — 5 ranges by application ceiling; combustible and refrigerant ranges are all 0–100% LFL at 1% LFL resolution.
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③ Check the refrigerant
Refrigerant models cover R32, R410a/b, R454a/b, R290 and R600A — match to your system's working fluid. Low-GWP new refrigerants (R32 / R290) and blends (R410a / R454a) each have a dedicated model.
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④ Consider the 3-gas switchable
The XPSN401A-C00L1 is a methane / propane / isobutane 3-gas switchable model — one instrument covers three combustible gases, ideal for patrol and multi-gas sites without buying one instrument per gas.
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⑤ Confirm intrinsic safety
The whole range carries Ex ia IIC T4 Ga intrinsic-safety certification for chemical hazardous areas and confined spaces. Battery power plus intrinsic safety lets a portable patrol instrument power up and operate directly inside a hazardous zone.
Which XPSN401A Gas Family Do You Need?
The three gas families share the same low-power NDIR platform (< 1.2 mA, φ20×16.6 mm, 5-year life) and differ only in the infrared absorption band and target gas. Pick the family by scenario, then the range or refrigerant within it.
| Specification | CO₂ Infrared | Combustible Infrared | Refrigerant Infrared | 3-Gas Switchable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target Gas | Carbon Dioxide CO₂ | Methane / Propane / Isobutane / Ethanol | R32 / R410a/b / R454a/b / R290 / R600A | Methane / Propane / Isobutane switchable |
| Range | 1% / 5% / 20% / 60% / 100% VOL | 0 – 100% LFL | 0 – 100% LFL | 0 – 100% LFL |
| Resolution | 0.01% – 0.1% VOL | 1% LFL | 1% LFL | 1% LFL |
| Accuracy | ±3% FS or ±5% reading (max) | ±1% FS or ±2% reading (max) | ±1% FS or ±2% reading (max) | ±1% FS or ±2% reading (max) |
| Model Count | 5 models | 4 models | 5 models | 1 model |
| Typical Use | HVAC / greenhouse / fermentation / flue gas | Gas alarms / LPG / industrial | Refrigerant leak / plant room | Portable multi-gas patrol |
| Explosion-Proof | Ex ia IIC T4 Ga | Ex ia IIC T4 Ga | Ex ia IIC T4 Ga | Ex ia IIC T4 Ga |
| Best For | Battery-powered CO₂ monitoring | Battery-powered combustible monitoring | Refrigerant leak monitoring | One unit, multiple gases |
The 3-gas switchable XPSN401A-C00L1 is listed as its own column within the combustible family, because one unit covers three gases — a different usage from the single-gas models.
Three Typical Deployments for Low-Power NDIR
The same < 1.2 mA low-power NDIR sensor is typically deployed in three ways. Decide the device class first; the power and explosion-proof requirements follow naturally.
Wireless Sensor Node
- Suits LoRa / NB-IoT / BLE
- Ex ia IIC T4 Ga intrinsic safety
- Battery maintenance-free for years
Best for: wireless monitoring networks in utility tunnels, energy-storage stations and hazardous-chemical storage.
Fixed Node in Tunnels / Storage
- 5-year designed lifetime
- No frequent recalibration
- No catalytic poisoning risk
Best for: long-term fixed monitoring in underground utility tunnels, energy-storage stations and confined spaces.
All three deployments share the same XPSN401A platform and differ only in power and housing. When a project mixes portable patrol and fixed nodes, standardising on this range keeps spares and calibration methods consistent.
15 Low-Power Infrared Model Matrix
Grouped by target gas: CO₂ in five ranges, combustibles in four models (including 3-gas switchable) and refrigerants in five. Click any model for its datasheet.
Carbon Dioxide
- Carbon Dioxide NDIR Infrared Gas Sensor XPSN401A-G01C1 Datasheet →
- Carbon Dioxide NDIR Infrared Gas Sensor XPSN401A-G01E1 Datasheet →
- Carbon Dioxide NDIR Infrared Gas Sensor XPSN401A-G01G1 Datasheet →
- Carbon Dioxide NDIR Infrared Gas Sensor XPSN401A-G01J1 Datasheet →
- Carbon Dioxide NDIR Infrared Gas Sensor XPSN401A-G01K1 Datasheet →
Low-Power NDIR Infrared Sensor FAQs
What does < 1.2 mA average current mean in practice?
A single ER14505 lithium-thionyl-chloride cell (nominal 2400 mAh) at 1.2 mA average lasts about 80 days without sleep — with a sleep/wake duty cycle, years. Standard NDIR (tens of mA) cannot do this, and it is the fundamental reason XPSN401A fits portable and wireless-node use.
How do I choose between CO₂, combustible and refrigerant?
By scenario: HVAC / greenhouse / flue gas → CO₂ family (1% – 100% VOL, 5 ranges); gas alarms / LPG / industrial → combustible family (methane / propane / isobutane / ethanol, 0–100% LFL); refrigerant leak / plant room → refrigerant family (R32 / R410a/b / R454a/b / R290 / R600A, 0–100% LFL).
How does the 3-gas switchable model work?
The XPSN401A-C00L1 switches between methane, propane and isobutane in one unit — ideal for a portable patrol instrument cycling through multiple combustible-gas environments without one instrument per gas. Switching commands are in the datasheet; each gas is calibrated separately.
Which refrigerants does the refrigerant family cover?
It covers R32, R410a/b, R454a/b, R290 and R600A, all 0–100% LFL at 1% LFL resolution. Low-GWP new refrigerants (R32 / R290) and blends (R410a / R454a) each have a dedicated model — match to your system's working fluid.
What does Ex ia IIC T4 Ga mean?
Ex ia is intrinsic safety (highest protection level); IIC is the highest surface gas-environment category (includes hydrogen and acetylene); T4 is the temperature group (≤ 135 ℃); Ga is the equipment protection level (EPL Ga, continuous use in hazardous zones). XPSN401A is suitable for chemical hazardous areas and confined spaces, and a battery-powered portable can power up directly inside a hazardous zone.
What about lifetime and maintenance?
Designed lifetime is 5 years, with no catalytic poisoning, long-term stability and no frequent recalibration. Built-in temperature compensation and linearization; operating temperature and humidity ranges are in each datasheet. The combination of intrinsic safety, low power and long life makes the range especially suited to long-term care-free fixed nodes.
How do I get a quote, samples and datasheets?
Every datasheet is downloadable from its product page on this site. For samples and volume pricing, send us the target gas, range, deployment form and annual volume through the contact form or by email, and we will quote the matching model with lead time.
Need Help Choosing a Model?
Send us your target gas, range and deployment form — we will match the model and quote it. Datasheets for all 15 low-power infrared sensors are available to download now.