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Investigatory Project3

The document describes an investigatory project that utilizes a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) to measure light levels and control a relay switch. It outlines the circuit design, components used including LDR, relay, transistor, and resistor, and explains the working mechanism of the circuit. The project concludes that the circuit is effective for detecting significant changes in light levels, making it useful for applications like monitoring room lighting.

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Avnish Bhasin
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9 views

Investigatory Project3

The document describes an investigatory project that utilizes a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) to measure light levels and control a relay switch. It outlines the circuit design, components used including LDR, relay, transistor, and resistor, and explains the working mechanism of the circuit. The project concludes that the circuit is effective for detecting significant changes in light levels, making it useful for applications like monitoring room lighting.

Uploaded by

Avnish Bhasin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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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INVESTIGATORY PROJECT – PHYSICS

To measure the light level using LDR (Light Depended Resistor)

Introduction –

A Light / Dark activated switch is a circuit that will somehow measure the light level and will turn on
or off a relay accordingly. We will use an LDR (Light Depended Resistor) to measure the light level.

Circuit Diagram –

The circuit is is a simple transistor switch with the base of the transistor connected to a voltage
divider. The voltage divider has two resistors. The first is the 100K potentiometer plus the protective
1K resistor. The second resistor is the LDR. The circuit is as follows:

Details of the Components used –

LDR –

LDRs or Light Dependent Resistors are very useful especially in light/dark sensor circuits. Normally
the resistance of an LDR is very high, sometimes as high as 1000 000 ohms, but when they are
illuminated with light resistance drops dramatically.
Relay –

A relay is an electrically operated switch. Current flowing through the coil of the relay creates a
magnetic field which attracts a lever and changes the switch contacts. The coil current can be on or
off so relays have two switch positions and most have double throw (changeover) switch contacts
as shown in the diagram.

Relays allow one circuit to switch a second circuit which can be completely separate from the first.
For example a low voltage battery circuit can use a relay to switch a 230V AC mains circuit. There is
no electrical connection inside the relay between the two circuits, the link is magnetic and
mechanical.

Transistor –

A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify and switch electronic signals and power. It is
composed of a semiconductor material with at least three terminals for connection to an external
circuit. A voltage or current applied to one pair of the transistor's terminals changes the current
flowing through another pair of terminals. Because the controlled (output) power can be higher than
the controlling (input) power, a transistor can amplify a signal.

Resistor –

A resistor is a passive two-terminal electrical component that implements electrical resistance as a


circuit element. The current through a resistor is in direct proportion to the voltage across the
resistor's terminals. Thus, the ratio of the voltage applied across a resistor's terminals to the intensity
of current through the circuit is called resistance.

Working –

As light falls on the surface of the LDR, the LDR changes it's resistance. The more the light,
the less the resistance of the LDR, the less the resistance, the less the voltage drop across it. The
less the light, the more the resistance and thus the more the voltage drop across it.

As the voltage drop increases, so does the VB of the 2N2222 transistor and therefore the
ICE increases accordingly, until the time that the current is enough to actuate the relay.
The amount of light needed to actuate the relay can be changed by changing the 100K
potentiometer. Basically, any change to the potentiometer will have an effect to the voltage drop of
the LDR, as they are both members of the voltage divider described above.

The 1N4001 diode is used to eliminate any back voltage when the relay is disarmed. It is
very important to have this diode because without it, the transistor may be damaged.

Conclusions –

This circuit is proper for detecting large light changes. We can use it for example if we wanted to
detect the light in a room or in a hall if it works or not. Small changes like shadows and staff does not
affect this circuit. This circuit helps answer questions such as - Is the light turned on? Are windows
of my room open or closed?

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