LIGHT SENSITIVE TRIGGER

Aniket Mhatre Ankita Negi Mandar Nalawde

S.E (ETRX) S.E (ETRX) S.E (ETRX)
Roll no - A-35 Roll no - A-44 Roll no - A-43
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Abstract

Light Sensitive Trigger System is a simple yet powerful concept, which uses IC555 timer
as a Comparator. By using this system manual works are 100% removed. It automatically
switches ON lights when the sunlight goes below the visible region of our eyes. This is done by a
sensor called Light Dependant Resistor (LDR) which senses the light actually like our eyes. It
automatically switches OFF lights whenever the sunlight comes, visible to our eyes. By using
this system energy consumption is also reduced because nowadays the manually operated street
lights are not switched off even the sunlight comes and also switched on earlier before sunset. In
this project, no need of manual operation like ON time and OFF time setting.

Keywords- LDR, trigger, IC555, Relay

Introduction

A switch can simply be defined as a device operated to turn electric current ON or OFF.
Switches are important devices in electrical and electronics circuit design. They are hence widely
used components today serving as control devices in modern electrical systems and circuits.
Switches can also be defined as devices by which a circuit parameter or signal such as electrical
current can be either linked to or cut off from another part of a circuit manually or automatically.
The major aim of this project is to effectively design and fabricate an electronic system that will
be capable of switching off AC power supply automatically from electronic appliances
connected to its output interface at night (in dark environments).
In Light Sensitive Trigger System Timer IC555 is used as comparator which compares
voltage at every node of circuit. To increase voltage at Trigger pin of Timer IC555 LDR and
other resistance are connected. LDR is photoresistor which increases its resistance value in dark
light on in night and decreases its value in sun light or any source of light. LDR is the main
components of the project. The resistance of light dependant resistor (LDR) varies according to
the light falling on it. According to the light falls on the LDR, the resistance value at trigger pin
increases. By makes use of the output pin switching condition controller operates the light
through relay.

II. Design

Fig 1.Circuit Diagram

List of Components
 Resistors:
1. R1 – 33k
2. R2 – 1k
3. R3 – LDR
4. R4 – 10k

 Capacitors:
1. C1 – 10pF

 Semiconductors:
1. D1 – 1N 4148
2. IC1 – 555
3. 12V/1Co Relay

Light Dependent Resistor (LDR):

Two cadmium sulphide (cds) photoconductive cells with spectral responses similar to
that of the human eye. The cell resistance falls with increasing light intensity. Applications
include smoke detection, automatic lighting control and batch counting and burglar alarm
systems.

It is relatively easy to understand the basics of how an LDR works without delving into
complicated explanations. It is first necessary to understand that an electrical current consists of
the movement of electrons within a material. Good conductors have a large number of free
electrons that can drift in a given direction under the action of a potential difference. Insulators
with a high resistance have very few free electrons, and therefore it is hard to make the them
move and hence a current to flow.

An LDR or photoresistor is made any semiconductor material with a high resistance. It

has a high resistance because there are very few electrons that are free and able to move - the
vast majority of the electrons are locked into the crystal lattice and unable to move. Therefore in
this state there is a high LDR resistance.

As light falls on the semiconductor, the light photons are absorbed by the semiconductor
lattice and some of their energy is transferred to the electrons. This gives some of them sufficient
energy to break free from the crystal lattice so that they can then conduct electricity. This results
in a lowering of the resistance of the semiconductor and hence the overall LDR resistance. The
process is progressive, and as more light shines on the LDR semiconductor, so more electrons
are released to conduct electricity and the resistance falls further.

Fig 2.Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)

Typical
Parameters Condition Unit
value
1000 LUX 400 Ohm
Cell Resistance
10 LUX 9 kOhm
1000 LUX 2.8 ms
Rise Time
10 LUX 18 ms
1000 LUX 48 ms
Fall Time
10 LUX 120 ms

Table 1.Characteristics of Light Dependent Resistor

 The sensitivity of a photodetector is the relationship between the light falling on the
device and the resulting output signal. In the case of a photocell, one is dealing with the
relationship between the incident light and the corresponding resistance of the cell.

Fig 3.Graph Resistance vs. Intensity of light LUX

IC 555 (Timer IC)

Fig 1.Pin Diagram

Fig 5.Block Diagram of IC555

The 555 monolithic timing circuits is a highly stable controller capable of producing
accurate time delays, or oscillation. In the time delay mode of operation, the time is precisely
controlled by one external resistor and capacitor. For a stable operation as an oscillator, the free
running frequency and the duty cycle are both accurately controlled with two external resistors
and one capacitor. The circuit may be triggered and reset on falling waveforms, and the output
structure can source or sink up to 200 mA.

Working

Contrary to its normal use as an astable or monostable multivibrator the Type 555 IC in
this circuit functions as a comparator. To explain this rather unusual application. It is necessary
to note that the operation of a 555 is normally as follows: the output goes high upon receipt of a
trigger (start) pulse on input pin2. This pulse is a voltage whose level is lower than 1/3 of the
supply voltage. The output goes low again when the voltage at the second input, pin 6, has
briefly exceeded 2/3 of the supply level. In the present design, the second input is not used, but
the output of the chip can none the less revert to the low state, since pin6 is connected direct to
the positive supply rail. This set up is accounted for by the accompanying table taken from the
555’s data sheets.

In principle the supply voltage for the circuit must equal the coil voltage of the relay. Do
not apply more than 16V however, as this may damage the 555. The current consumption of the
circuit is 4mA, exclusive of the relay, at a supply level of 12V. Components R2 and C1 ensure a
delay of about 10s before the relay is energized, so that the circuit is rendered insensitive to rapid
changes in the light intensity.

Basically, the circuit has no hysteresis effect. However, when the supply is not regulated
the actuation of the relay will lower the supply level somewhat. This lowers the internal
threshold of the IC since the trigger point is defined as 2/3 of the hysteresis of the circuit can be
dimensioned as required by fitting a resistor in series with the supply. It is also possible to fit a
resistor between pins 5 & 7 of the 555, as shown in the circuit diagram. The amount of hysteresis
is inversely proportional to the value of the resistor, and 100k is a reasonable starting point for
experiments.
 The sensitivity of the trigger circuit can be controlled if R1 is replaced with a 1MO
potentiometer or preset.

Trigger
Reset Threshold Discharge
Voltage Output
(4) Voltage (6) Switch
(2)

Low Irrelevent Irrelevent Low ON

High <1/3VDD Irrelevent High Off

High >1/3VDD >2/3VDD Low On

Table 2.Function Table

VI. Implementation

Initially the board outlines and connectors are marked on a sheet of paper
followed by sketching the component outlines with connecting points and the conductor patterns.
Prepare the layout as viewed from the component side so as to avoid confusion. The layout is
developed in the direction of signal flow, as far as possible. This reduces the number of
interconnections.

Among the components, the larger ones are placed first and the space in between is filled
with smaller ones. Components requiring input/output connections come near the connectors. All
the components are placed in such a way that desoldering of other components is not necessary,
if they have to be replaced.

While designing the conductors, the minimum spacing requirements for the final artwork
should be known. It depends on a number of factors and it is based on the breakthrough voltage.
But, in any case, the minimum spacing is applied only where it cannot be avoided. The yield in
PCB fabrication will otherwise come down, with minimum spacing.
 The final copper pattern is formed by selective removal (ETCHING) of the unwanted
copper, which is not protected by an electric resist (ferric chloride).

Many factors are considered while choosing the most suitable etchant system for a PCB
process. The etch resist should be compatible with the etchant. Besides, the etching speed,
copper showing capacity, etchant price and pollution characteristics come into the picture of the
overall economy of the etchant. Some commonly used etchants are ferric chloride, cupric
chloride, chromic acid and alkaline ammonia. After etching is completed, FeC13 is washed from
the board and is cleaned dry. The paint is removed using suitable solvents. Holes are now drilled
into the appropriate positions. Drill bits of correct dimensions are then soldered into the PCB
carefully. Care should be taken to give the PCB the best appearance possible.

PCB Layout

Fig 6.PCB Layout

Result

On connecting 9V battery to input terminals of signal circuit starts working. When high
intensity of light like sunlight or lamp light is fall on LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) relay set
in zero position or initial position and when it is place in dark place in night relay switches into
Active position and connected any appliance starts.

Conclusion

When light fall on LDR of high intensity LDR decreases its resistance value. As decrease
in resistance the voltage at Trigger pin of IC555 starts decreasing. IC555 is act as comparator in
this system so decreased in voltage at pin 2 is compared with the supply voltage. And if it is less
than the 1/3 of supply voltage output is active high. And if trigger voltage is greater than 1/3 of
supply voltage and less than 2/3 of supply voltage at pin6 then output is active low .