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Using A Transistor Switch With Sensors

This document summarizes how to use a transistor switch with light and temperature sensors. It shows a basic circuit diagram using an LDR light sensor connected to a transistor so that an LED lights when the LDR is in darkness. It notes that any general purpose low power transistor can be used, and includes details on adding a fixed resistor and protection diode. The summary also explains that the circuit can be inverted to have the LED light when the LDR is bright, and that other sensors like a thermistor can be used but may require a different variable resistor value.

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Shail Doshi
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206 views

Using A Transistor Switch With Sensors

This document summarizes how to use a transistor switch with light and temperature sensors. It shows a basic circuit diagram using an LDR light sensor connected to a transistor so that an LED lights when the LDR is in darkness. It notes that any general purpose low power transistor can be used, and includes details on adding a fixed resistor and protection diode. The summary also explains that the circuit can be inverted to have the LED light when the LDR is bright, and that other sensors like a thermistor can be used but may require a different variable resistor value.

Uploaded by

Shail Doshi
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Using a transistor switch with sensors

The top circuit diagram shows an LDR (light


sensor) connected so that the LED lights when the
LDR is in darkness. The variable resistor adjusts the
brightness at which the transistor switches on and
off. Any general purpose low power transistor can
LED lights when the LDR is dark
be used in this circuit.

The 10k  fixed resistor protects the transistor


from excessive base current (which will
destroy it) when the variable resistor is
reduced to zero. To make this circuit switch at
a suitable brightness you may need to
experiment with different values for the fixed
resistor, but it must not be less than 1k .

If the transistor is switching a load with a coil,


such as a motor or relay, remember to add
a protection diode across the load. LED lights when the LDR is bright
 

The switching action can be inverted, so


the LED lights when the LDR is brightly lit, by swapping the LDR and variable
resistor. In this case the fixed resistor can be omitted because the LDR
resistance cannot be reduced to zero.

Note that the switching action of this circuit is not particularly good because
there will be an intermediate brightness when the transistor will bepartly
on (not saturated). In this state the transistor is in danger of overheating
unless it is switching a small current. There is no problem with the small LED
current, but the larger current for a lamp, motor or relay is likely to cause
overheating.

Other sensors, such as a thermistor, can be used with this circuit, but they
may require a different variable resistor. You can calculate an approximate
value for the variable resistor (Rv) by using a multimeter to find the minimum
and maximum values of the sensor's resistance (Rmin and Rmax):

Variable resistor, Rv = square root of (Rmin × Rmax)

For example an LDR: Rmin = 100 , Rmax = 1M , so Rv = square root of (100 × 1M)


= 10k .
You can make a much better switching circuit with sensors connected to a
suitable IC (chip). The switching action will be much sharper with no partly on
state. 

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