Simple Water Level Indicator with

Alarm (Tested Circuits)

Generally, water stored in overhead tank is wasted due to over flow ,when the tank is
full. Water level alarm using micro-controllers like 8051 and AVR are shown in previous
articles.This article shows simple circuits of water level indicator with alarm.

Three circuits were shown here are simple and built using transistors, 555 timer and ULN2003
IC. First let us build a water level alarm using simple transistors.

Water Level Indicator Using Simple Transistors

Circuit Diagram

Components Required

 BC548 transistors-Q1,Q2,Q3,Q4
 Resistors R1,R2,R3,R4-2.2kohms
 R5, R6 ,R7 – 100 ohm
 Led – Red(LED3) , Green(LED1) , Yellow(LED2)
 Metal Contacts – M1,M2,M3,M4.
Working

 The circuit is designed to indicate three levels of water stored in the tank: low but not
empty, half and full but not overflowing.
 When there is no water in the tank, all the LEDs are off as an indication that the tank is
completely empty.
 When water level increases and reaches M2, the contacts M1 and M2 get shorted as
water acts as a conducting medium between M1 and M2.
 This will turn on the transistor Q1 and the Green LED starts to glow. As the water level
continues to rise and reaches half the tank, M3 will come into contact with water and
receives a small voltage from M1.
 As a result, Q2 is turned on and Yellow LED will glow. When the water in the tank rises to
full tank, M4 is also shorted with M1 and both Q3 and Q4 will turn on.
 The Red LED glows and also an alarm is made by the buzzer as an indication that the
tank is full and the water pump or motor can be turned off.

Note:This circuit does not show a buzzer.Connect a Buzzer,resistor and transistor in

series and connect this in parallel to the last LED.
Water Level Alarm Using 555 Timer
Circuit Diagram

Components Required

 NE555 Timer
 Resistors
 R1,R4-1K
 R2-22k
 R3-570 Ohm
Capacitor- 1UF
Buzzer
Connecting wires

Working
The circuit uses a 555 timer in astable mode with R1=22k ohms, R2= 570 ohms and
C1=1 uF. The frequency of the given astable circuit is around 62 Hz.

The two probes which are shown in the circuit should be kept at the high level for the
water. The distance between the probes should be less than a few centimetres to
ensure that the conduction between the probes will take place when water is touched to
these probes.
When the water level rises to the height of the probes, then the 555 circuit will get
enabled and the output of the 555 timer produces a square wave output with a
frequency of about 62 Hz. This output is given to the buzzer.

The logic Implemented in this circuit is, 555 timer is enabled when its reset pin is
connected to logic high. But initially it is connected to ground. When the water level is
maximum this pin is enabled and this drives the 555 timer into astable mode.

Water Level Indicator and Alarm Using ULN2003

One can implement this circuit using simple ULN2003 IC.IC ULN2003 consists of an array of
seven Darlington transistor pairs.

Circuit Diagram

Components Required

 L1-L3-LEDs
 R1-R3-1k ohm
 M1-M7-Metal Contacts
  ULN2003 IC

Working

 This circuit can be used to indicate three levels of water in tanks.

 When metal contact is reached ,each Led starts glowing.
 When the tank is full buzzer starts ringing along with this all LEDs are ON.

Simple Timer Alarm Circuit using IC 555

To Construct short duration timers and alarm we don’t need expensive microcontrollers, we can
create snooze or short duration alarm by using timer IC 555.

Here this circuit is constructed to give alarm buzzer sound for four different timing intervals that
is 5,10,15 and 30 minutes, so we can change the timing of this circuit easily as we want.

Circuit Diagram

Construction & Working

Main part of this circuit is timer IC 555 and others are few easily available components,
to give power supply to the alarm circuit 9V battery can be used other wise you can
create own DC power supply 9V using step down transformer and Bridge Rectifier.
Buzzer element is connected at the output pin of IC 555 and start button is connected to
the pin 2 & 4 together towards DC bias through R2 Resistor.
For timer Resistor of this circuit different range of Resistor are implemented to give
various timing range and only one timing capacitor (C2) is used in this circuit. Turn ON
this circuit by closing S1 Switch and choose the timer range by closing s3, s4, s5 or s6
switch then push the start switch s2 and wait, the buzzer gives alarm sound depends on
the timing range.

Note:- You can use one Variable Resistor instead of R3,R4,R5,R6 but you need to
previously check the timing Range.