Power reduction in combustible gas sensors

A sensor system, comprising:

• electronic circuitry comprising a control system;
• a primary combustible gas sensor comprising a first primary element in operative connection with the electronic circuitry and comprising a first primary support structure, a first primary catalyst supported on the first primary support structure and a first primary heating element in operative connection with the first primary support structure;
• a second primary element in operative connection with the electronic circuitry and comprising a second primary support structure, and a second primary heating element in operative connection with the second primary support structure;
• and
• a trigger combustible gas sensor comprising a first trigger element of low-thermal-mass comprising a first trigger catalyst and a first trigger heating element, the first trigger element being in operative connection with the electronic circuitry, and a second trigger element of low thermal mass comprising a second trigger heating element, the second trigger element being in operative connection with the electronic circuitry, the electronic circuitry having a first trigger mode of operating in which the first trigger element is heated to a temperature at or above a temperature at which the first trigger element causes combustion of at least one combustible gas analyte and wherein the second trigger element is operated as a trigger compensating element;
• the electronic circuitry configured to operate the trigger combustible gas sensor during the first trigger mode to periodically cycle the first trigger element between the temperature at or above at which the first trigger element causes combustion of the at least one combustible gas analyte and another temperature at which the first trigger element is substantially inactive to cause combustion of the at least one combustible gas analyte and to detect a value of a response of the trigger combustible gas sensor at or above a threshold value, the primary combustible gas sensor being activated from a low-power state upon the threshold value being detected by the trigger combustible gas sensor, wherein the value of the response of the trigger combustible gas sensor is indicative of a concentration of the at least one combustible gas analyte.