Vol-4 Issue-5 2018 IJARIIE-ISSN(O)-2395-4396

The project on Automatic Water Level Indicator using Ultrasonic Sensor and GSM Module helps the user to be
aware of the water level in the tank through an SMS alert and also pump is switched on and off automatically when
the water in the tank reaches a particular threshold level. Arduino is used since its connections are easy as well as its
coding being simple. The system also provides continuous water level measurement. It is very useful because the
user need not worry about the water content during the peak hours of the day. It not only helps in the daily chores
but also prevents water wastage. It reduces human labour, saves time and also keeps the user updated regarding the
water content.

1. System Architecture

The system architecture is drawn as follows.

Figure 1. System Architecture

It shows the basic outline of the structure of the project. The various components required are described as follows:
1.1 Power Supply
It is also known as the driving circuit which is used to supply power to the other electronics devices connected to it
depending on the type and requirement the power supply circuits vary.

Figure 2. Power Supply Circuit [1]

9077 www.ijariie.com 1
1.2 Arduino UNO
Arduino UNO has the micro-controller ATmega328 embedded in it. It has 14 digital I/O pins out of which 6 provide
PWR output. It is an open-source and provides prototype platform. It also has a 16MHX crystal oscillator attached
to it. In addition to the above features, it also has an USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP, header and reset
button.

Figure 3. Arduino Uno circuit board [6]

It has everything to support a micro-controller. It can simply be connected to a computer using an USB cable or
power it with an AC or a DC adapter or a battery.
1.3 Ultrasonic Sensor (HC-SR04)
It is basically a distance sensor and is used for detecting the distance using SONAR method. It has two ultrasonic
transmitters namely the receiver and the control circuit. The transmitter emits a high frequency ultrasonic sound
wave which bounces off from any solid object and receiver receives it as an echo. The echo is then processed by the
control circuit to calculate the time and the difference between the transmitter and receiver signal. This time can
subsequently be used to measure the measure the distance between the sensor and the reflecting object.

Figure 4. Pin Configurations of Ultrasonic Sensor(HC-SR04) [7]

It has an ultrasonic frequency of 40 KHz and accuracy is nearest to 0.3 cm.

1.4 GSM Modem SIM 900

It is widely used in mobile communication. It has a built in RS232 level converter. It has the ability to send SMS
through SMS cell broadcast method.
 Figure 5. SIM 900 GPRS/GSM module [8]

Having a baud rate of 9600 – 115200 bps it can send or receive SMS at a very quick pace. It also has a low power
consumption which is a major advantage.
1.5 Relay
In order to isolate two circuits electrically and to connect them magnetically relays are used. They are very useful in
switching from one circuit to another when they are completely separated.

Figure 6. Relays [9]

The relays comprise of an input and an output section. The input section has a coil which produces magnetic field
when a small voltage from an electrical circuit is applied. This applied voltage is known as the operating voltage.
4.6 IC 7806
It is a voltage regulator integrated circuit. It belongs to the family of 78xx series of fixed linear voltage regulated
ICs. The voltage source in a circuit may have fluctuations and would not give the fixed voltage as output. A constant
output voltage value is maintained by this IC.

Figure 7. Pin configuration of IC 7806 [10]

The xx in 78xx indicates the fixed output voltage it is designed to provide. Capacitors are provided + 6V of power
supply with the help of IC 7806 which can be then connected as input and output pins depending upon the voltage
levels.
4.7 IC ULN2003
ULN2003 IC is one of the most commonly used Motor driver IC. This IC comes in handy when the need arises to
drive high current loads using digital logic circuits like Op-maps, Timers, Gates, Arduino, PIC, ARM etc. For
example a motor that requires 9V and 300mA to run cannot be powered by an Arduino I/O, hence we use this IC to
source enough current and voltage for the load.

Figure 8. Pin configuration of IC ULN2003 [11]

This IC is commonly used to drive Relay modules, Motors, high current LEDs and even Stepper Motors. In general
this IC permits a low-power circuit to control signals or to switch high current ON and OFF which is electrically
isolated from the controlling circuit.
4.8 Connecting Wires
In any electronic circuitry wires are the conductive connections between the elements in contact. Theoretically, they
have zero resistance and provide perfect connections. On the breadboard, they look like nice coloured jumper wires.

Figure 9. Connecting Wires [12]

2. Module Identification
The project is divided into the following three modules. They are described as follows:
2.1 Ultrasonic Sensor Module (HCSR-04)
It is also known as the input module. First it sends ultrasonic sound waves into the tank and then these waves are
reflected back. The speed at which these waves travel is in the range of 340 meters/sec and it is not affected by any
barriers or obstacles that might come on its way. These waves are also not deflected so it is very convenient to use.
The time at which these waves travel and are reflected back is recorded and the water depth is calculated.
2.2 GSM Modules
In this project the GSM module is used to send the message about the status of the level of water in the tank and also
to turn on the motor for opening and closing of the motor when the water in the tank reaches a particular level. It
alerts the people living in the house by sending a SMS about the overflow of the water in the tank and to save water
from wastage.
2.3 Arduino Module
This works as the brain of our project. By knowing the various pin configurations, the various components can be
connected to the Arduino and perform the necessary functions.
2.4 Relay Module
Here, relays are used to connect the ultrasonic sensor (i.e. input) and the GSM module (i.e. output) magnetically
when they are electrically separated from each other.

3. Working Principle
When the circuit is switched on the ultrasonic sensor transmits the generated sound signal to the bottom of the water
tank which is the target and whose water level is to be measured. The signal after touching the base of the tank is
reflected back and is received by the receiver of the ultrasonic sensor. The time taken through the entire journey of
the transmitted signal is recorded. Then by applying the formula,
Range = {(time taken) X Velocity of the transmitted signal (i.e. 340 m/s)} /

2 The output obtained is the required distance.

Figure 10. Data flow Diagram

This measured level if is below the threshold level of 2cm then the pump will automatically be switched on and an
SMS alert will be received at the user’s phone. Henceforth, when the water reaches a particular level the motor will
automatically turn off and again a notification through SMS will be provided indicating the tank is full to the user.
This is the working principle used in our project.
The block diagram is shown as below:
 Figure 11. Block diagram

4. Calculations and Result Analysis

Considering the temperature conditions to be 28℃, an estimation is drawn regarding the distance measurement of
the sensors to the base of the tank. The measurements were done using a measuring tape and the results are tabulated
as follows:
Actual Distance Measured Error
Distance
(cm)
(cm)
30 32 +2
60 61.5 +1.5
90 90 +0
120 121 +1
150 152 +2
Table 1: Range Measurements and corresponding errors
The error percentage is calculated as:

Error Percentage = [(Measured Distance-Actual Distance)/Actual Distance]*100%

%error = [{(32+61.5+90+121+152) - (30+60+90+120+150)}/(30+60+90+120+150)]*100%

%error = [(456.5 – 450)/450]*100%

%error = (6.5/450)*100%

%error = 0.014444444*100%

%error = 1.44444%
 5. Applications
It can be used in multiple applied ways. Some of them are as follows:

 It can be used in large scale to control the water level in dams to prevent flood and other such problems.
 It can be used to control water wastage in the municipality corporation tanks which supply water in a particular
area.
 It can widely be used in industrial purposes as well.

6. Future enhancements
The project can also be installed with pH sensors which will help to regulate the acidity or alkalinity of the water.

7. Conclusion
Automation of the various components around us has been widely increased to reduce human intervention and save
time. It is known that improper water management can have harmful effects on both the system and the
environment. The main objective of this project is not only to reduce manual labour but also help save water in an
efficient manner. Finally, a conclusion can drawn that this project can definitely be useful on a large scale basis due
to its minimum requirement of man power and also the installation process being easier making it more compatible
for everyone to use.

References
[1]Abdullah, A. (2008). ; Eater Level in Tank acing Sensors and P1D Controller. Btech Thesis, University Malaysia
Sa-rawak, Sarawak,123 p.
[2]Microcontroller Based Automated Water Level Sensing and Controlling: Design and Implementation Issue
Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science, pp 220-225.
[3]Osama Mahfooz, Mujtaba Memon, and Asim Iftikhar, “Project Review on Water Level Sensing Using PLC,”
Journal of Engineering & Technology Science, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 160-170,2012.
[4] Jagadesh Boopathi, “555 Timer Based Water Level Controller,” Electronics Tutorials by Jagansindia, Inc., 23
June 2013.
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sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&s ource=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjdx-
mKl57dAhXBXysKHQwrC1sQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fptop.only.wip.la%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FRoboGets-
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[7]https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiI
wKvDl57dAhUHSX0KHTI_A2wQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fptop.only.wip.la%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fcomponents101.com%2Fultrasonic-
sensor-working-pinout-datasheet&psig=AOvVaw0q06r5A5xX3iXjIGvboIip&ust=1536041737146854
[8]https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwji
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[9]https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj
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[10]https://www.google.co.in/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fptop.only.wip.la%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.engineersgarage.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%
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[12] Wires and Connections Created by Mike Barela