Automatic Street Light
When there is a need for the light it automatically switches ON. When
darkness rises to a certain level then the sensor circuit gets activated
and switches ON and when there is another source of light i.e.,
daytime, the street light gets OFF.
Introduction:
It is an easy yet effective idea that automatically turns on and off the
street light system using a transistor (BC 547 NPN) acting as a switch.
Lights are turned on automatically as the sun dips below our eyes' line
of sight. (For instance, the night after sunset).
It automatically switches OFF lights when Sunlight falls on it ( i.e. on
LDR ) e.g. using a sensor called an LDR (Light Dependent Resistor),
which detects light similarly to our eyes, in the morning.
Working Principle of Automatic Street Lights with LDR &
Transistor:
The resistance across the LDR varies with the light intensity that falls on
it. When the light intensity is high, the resistance across the LDR is low
so the Base of the transistor BC547 is connected to the ground through
LDR.
Current Path: +9v –> 10k Resistor –> LDR
If the light intensity becomes low then the resistance becomes very
high across LDR. So, the current through the 10k resistor cannot flow
through the LDR. Then the current through 10k resistor fed positive
pulse to Transistor Base. Then the NPN transistor turns on.
Current Path: +9v –> 10k Resistor –> Base BC547
The core of this technology lies in the utilization of two key
components: the Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) and the Transistor.
The LDR is a sensor that detects changes in ambient light levels. During
the day, when sunlight is abundant, the LDR exhibits high resistance,
restricting the flow of current. This state keeps the Transistor in an off
position, preventing the street lights from turning on.
As dusk falls and the natural light diminishes, the LDR's resistance
decreases. This allows current to flow through the circuit, activating the
Transistor. The Transistor acts as a switch, allowing power to flow
through the street light system, thus illuminating the area. When dawn
arrives and the ambient light reaches a certain threshold, the LDR's
resistance increases again, turning off the Transistor and consequently,
the street lights.
Components:
LDR (Light Dependent Resistor)
Transistors. (Q1-BC547)
Resistor- 50K, 1k Ohm
Light-emitting diode (LED) – Any color
Connecting wires- Use a single-core plastic-coated wire of 0.6mm
diameter (the standard size)-You can use wire that is used for
Computer Networking.
Power supply 9V
Circuit Design and Diagram:
The circuit design of automatic street lights involves the careful
integration of the LDR, Transistor, and supporting components. The LDR
is connected in series with the Transistor's base terminal, forming a
part of the biasing network. When the LDR's resistance changes, it
alters the biasing of the Transistor, thus controlling the flow of current
through the street light system.
Detail of components:
LDR (Light-dependent resistor):
LDR functions on the basis that it provides more resistance in low light
intensities and less resistance in high light intensities, i.e., it provides
more resistance when it is dark or nighttime and less resistance when it
is daytime or bright. Specifically, a transistor serves as a two-way
switch.
Transistor:
Two PN diodes connected back-to-back form a transistor. It has
emitter, base, and collector terminals as its three connections. The
fundamental principle of a transistor is that it enables you to modify
the intensity of a much smaller current that is flowing through a second
channel in order to control the flow of current through one channel.
Resistor:
A device that limits or regulates the passage of electric current in
electrical circuits is referred to as a "resistor" since it has two terminals.
Additionally, it enables us to add a specific amount of resistance to an
electrical circuit. Resistors are the most crucial and often utilized parts
of an electrical circuit. The main function of a resistor is to decrease
voltage and current flow in a particular area of the circuit. It is
constructed with copper wires that have been painted with insulating
paint and wrapped around a ceramic pole.
LED:
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits light
when an electric current flows through it. When current passes through
an LED, the electrons recombine with holes emitting light in the
process. LEDs allow the current to flow in the forward direction and
block the current in the reverse direction.
Purpose and benefits of using LDR and Transistor in
automatic street lights
The LDR and the Transistor are used together in an automatic street
light system to automatically turn on and off the street lights based on
the ambient light level.
When the LDR is in the dark, its resistance is high. This means that the
base of the transistor is not connected to a voltage source and the
transistor is turned off. As a result, the street lights are turned off.
When the LDR is in the light, its resistance decreases. This means that
the base of the transistor is connected to a voltage source and the
transistor is turned on. As a result, the street lights are turned on.
Advantages:
Automatic street lights play a crucial role in enhancing urban
infrastructure by providing efficient and energy-saving illumination for
roads, pathways, and public spaces.. By using this Automatic system for
street light controlling, we can reduce energy consumption because the
manually operated street lights are not switched off properly even the
sunlight comes and also not switched on earlier before sunset.
On sunny and rainy days, ON and OFF times differ noticeably which is
one of the major disadvantages of using timer circuits or manual
operation for switching the street light system.
Conclusion
Automatic street lights powered by LDR and Transistor technology
represent a significant step towards creating energy-efficient and
technologically advanced urban environments. By intelligently
responding to changes in ambient light levels, these systems contribute
to energy conservation, cost reduction, and improved safety. As
technology continues to evolve, the potential for even smarter and
more sustainable lighting solutions is promising, reinforcing the role of
innovation in shaping the cities of the future.
