Electronics Engineering Lab 4th

SEMESTER

Lab Instructor: Engr. Ibrahim Khan

Session: ME-14 Section: C Workstation No: 01
Group Details
Names Registration No. Lab Performance Listen
Lab Report Total
(4) Learnt/
(4) (10)
Viva (2)
Muhammad Abdullah 405642
Zafar Ghauri
Muhammad Ali Tariq 410890
Muhammad Qasim 404663
Kamal
Sufyan Ahmed 429599

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

 Battery Level Indicator Circuit using LEDs
Muhammad Abdullah Zafar Ghauri1, Muhammad Ali Tariq1, Muhammad Qasim Kamal1, Sufyan
Ahmed1
¹School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME), NUST, Islamabad
[email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected]

Abstract— Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor devices commonly used in various applications
owing to splendid efficiency and versatility. This report describes the design and implementation of a compact
and energy-efficient battery indicator circuit which predominantly employs Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to
visually display battery charge status. The circuit efficiently scales down battery voltage, compares it to
predetermined thresholds, and illuminates LEDs to indicate varying charge levels. Extensive attention to
component selection, simulation, and rigorous testing ensures consistent and accurate performance across a
wide range of battery voltage. The resulting prototype is reliable and adaptable, making it suitable for a wide
range of applications. Future enhancements could include customization features such as overvoltage
protection or adjustable threshold levels to meet specific operational needs.

Keywords— Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), Semiconductors, Battery, Efficiency, Overvoltage Protection
I. OBJECTIVES

• Understand the battery level indicator circuit; how it operates and the logic behind it.
• Measuring voltage drop across each resistor and calculating the current to draw a relation between current
and voltage through graphical representation.
• Determining the voltage range for each colored LED i.e. Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue, from the point they
turn on to the next colored LED turning on.

II. LIGHT EMITTING DIODES (LEDS)

One kind of diode that creates light as current passes through it is called a light-emitting diode which are heavily
doped p-n junctions. This is caused by a process known as electroluminescence, in which photons of energy are
released when electrons in a semiconductor material recombine with holes. Based on the semiconductor material
used and the amount of doping, an LED will emit coloured light at a particular spectral wavelength when
forward biased. LEDs are more energy-efficient than conventional incandescent bulbs and are frequently used in
displays, indicators, and illumination. The wavelength of light, and therefore the colour, depends on the type of
semiconductor material used to make the diode. That's because the energy band structure of semiconductors
differs between materials, so photons are emitted with differing frequencies. [1]

Figure 1 Frequency Table for Various LEDs

 III. WORKING OF LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED)
Minority electrons are transferred from p to n and minority holes are sent from negative terminal to positive
terminal in a forward biased diode. Minority carrier concentration rises at the junction boundary. At the
intersection, the extra minority carriers recombine with the carriers carrying the majority charges. When there is
recombination, the energy is released as photons. Photons are the form that the energy is emitted in light-
emitting diodes. [2]

Figure 2 Working of LED

The positive side of the LED is the anode, and the negative side is the cathode. The current flows from the
anode to the cathode and never in the other direction. It may be well-pertained that the anode is slightly larger
than the cathode in most general cases so this must be brought into great consideration whenever the LED is
used in a circuit.

Figure 3 Schematic of LED

IV. BATTERY LEVEL INDICATOR CIRCUITS

Battery charger indicators also refer to the percentage or level indicator that is the integrated circuit for all the
devices that operate on batteries. Without these devices, you may overcharge the device, which leads to damage.
Or you may forget to charge the device, which ends up turning off on a very important matter. [3]
Smart devices are battery-operated, but they also play a significant part in remote battery cars. Being aware of
the battery's condition always is crucial to preventing unintentional mishaps caused by the battery stalling amid
the road. Consequently, the user may monitor the battery's condition with the use of these battery indicators. [3]

V. WORKING OF BATTERY LEVEL INDICATOR CIRCUITS

The battery indicator circuit operates by utilizing LEDs to visually indicate the battery's charge level. Each LED
has its own specific voltage threshold at which it turns on, representing different battery charge levels. As the
battery voltage changes, different LEDs lit up accordingly, providing a gradual indication of the battery's
percentage. [1]

Figure 4 Schematic of Battery Level Indicator Circuit

VI. METHODOLOGY
For the very particular experiment, four LEDs (in red, blue, green, and yellow color) and four resistors were
considered. The circuit was connected as shown with respective four LEDs in series, and the four resistors
connected in parallel with each junction of the LED. It was well ensured that the connections were tight and
secure. All the positive terminals on one side lined up and all the negatives on the other. Assurance was made
for the current to pass through all the LEDs and the circuit was complete. After completing the circuit, the
voltage supply was connected at each end, which ultimately flowed through the circuit.
The value where the red LED turned on was considered as the first reading as it demonstrated the voltage at
which the first LED shone bright, following which the voltage was gradually stepped up till the yellow LED
gave light, and the reading for the voltage was considered. Moreover, the same procedure was carried out for
blue LED and green LED. It was observed that the red LED required the least voltage to produce light, followed
by the yellow, blue, and green LED.
The voltage across each LED was taken into account as well. The values were then used to make a graph and as
well as to calculate the current of the resistors, which were in parallel to these LEDs. and finally, the ranges at
which the LEDs turn on and off were noted down.
 Figure 5 Breadboard Schematic of Circuit Figure 6 LEDs under Diminished Exposure

VII. CALCULATIONS
Voltage Red Yellow Blue Green Voltage Battery Icir
input LED LED LED LED ranges percentage
of LED
1.6 V 27.6 0V 0V 0V 1.6 V- 20 % 27.6 µA
mV 3.5 V
(Red)
3.6 V 1.89 59.7 0V 0V 3.6 V- 40 % 1.89 mA(R)
V mV 6.8 V 59.7 µA (Y)
(Yellow)
6.9 V 5.2 V 2.27 V 0.23 0V 6.9 V- 70 % 5.2 mA(R)
mV 11.3V 2.27 mA(Y)
(Blue) 0.23 µA(B)
11.4 V 9.7 V 5.3 V 1.73 V 22.5 11.4 V- 100 % 9.7 mA(R)
mV 12 V 5.3 mA(Y)
(Green) 1.73 mA(B)
22.5 µA(G)
Value of Resistance used = R = 1000 Ω
 Figure 7 Red LED (V vs I) Plot

Figure 8 Red and Yellow LED (V vs. I) Plot

 Figure 9 Red, Yellow and Blue LED (V vs. I) Plot

Figure 100 Red, Yellow, Blue and Green LED (V vs. I) Plot

VIII. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Circuits were successfully formulated such that they comprised of four different colour LEDs
which were in series and resistors of 1kΩ were 0connected to each LED in parallel
configuration. The circuit was connected to 30V power supply whose voltage was varied as
per accordance. It was observed that by the application of required voltage of LED, glow was
dominantly observed. The voltage was stepped up in accordance with power requirements of
each. The resistor across each LED was connected to protect LED from the expected damage
of increase in voltage. As resistor across each LED was 1kΩ so current passing through each
resistor branch would be equal to voltage drop across each resistor. It was observed that the
LED in red colour required the least voltage to emit light whereas the green LED required the
most power to successfully produce glow.
 IX. CONCLUSION
In conclusion. It may be summed up as if LEDs are connected in series, then to lit up all the LEDs, the required
voltage will be the sum of voltages for each LED. There should be resistor connected to LED so that it could not
be damaged by little fluctuations in the voltage as LEDs are very sensitive to voltage. Voltage greater than their
range will easily damage it.

REFERENCES
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[2] "Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) - SparkFun Learn," Sparkfun, [Online]. Available: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/light-emitting-
diodes-leds/all. [Accessed 22 February 2024]."What is LED? - Definition, Working, Properties, Uses, Advantages," BYJUS, 01
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emitting%20diodes%20are%20heavily,emitted%20light%20can%20come%20out.. [Accessed Thursday February 2024].
[3] "How Does Battery Charger Indicator Work?," RAYPCB, 31st May 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.raypcb.com/battery-
charge-indicator/#:~:text=The%20battery%20indicator%20circuit%20shows,glow%20on%20different%20voltage%20supplies..
[Accessed 29th February 2024].