ICCT COLLEGES FOUNDATION, INC.

V. V. Soliven Avenue II, Cainta Rizal

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Subject
Energy Conversion
(ECE08)

Laboratory Activity No. 1

Light Activated Switch and
Darkness Activated Switch

Presented by:
Camonias, Leenard
Capuyan, Emerald
Cunanan, Michael Angelo
Raymundo, Alvin
Sardea, Luis Fernan

Presented to:
Engr. Michael Stephen T. Gorospe
 ICCT COLLEGES FOUNDATION, INC.
V. V. Soliven Avenue II, Cainta Rizal

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Date
October 7, 2018
Introduction

What is a Light Dependent Resistor?

Light dependent resistors (LDR), also known as Photo resistors, are light sensitive

devices most often used to indicate the presence or absence of light, or to measure the light

intensity. In the dark, their resistance is very high, sometimes up to 1MΩ, but when the

LDR sensor is exposed to light, the resistance drops dramatically, even down to a few ohms,

depending on the light intensity. If the incident light on a photo resistor exceeds a

certain ​frequency​, ​photons​ absorbed by the semiconductor give bound ​electrons​ enough

energy to jump into the ​conduction band​. The resulting free electrons (and

their ​hole​ partners) conduct electricity, thereby lowering ​resistance​. LDRs have a

sensitivity that varies with the wavelength of the light applied and are nonlinear devices.

LDRs are less light-sensitive devices than ​photodiodes​ or ​phototransistors​: the two latter

components are true ​semiconductor devices​, while a photo resistor is a passive component

and does not have a ​PN-junction​. The photo resistivity of any photo resistor may vary

widely depending on ambient temperature, making them unsuitable for applications

requiring precise measurement of or sensitivity to light photons.

LDRs are used when a need to sense the presence and absence of light is necessary.

These resistors are used as light sensors and the applications of LDR mainly include alarm

locks, street lights, light intensity meters, burglar alarm circuits. LDRs are sometimes made

obsolete
 ICCT COLLEGES FOUNDATION, INC.
V. V. Soliven Avenue II, Cainta Rizal

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

What is a Light Activated Switch?

Light activated switch is a simple electrical circuit which can be used to

automatically switch on and off, by the used of light intensity instead of manually operating

the switches, electrical load appliances like lights, fans, coolers, air conditioners, street

lights, etc. The main principle of this circuit is based on the working of a LDR or Light

Dependent Resistor wherein the circuit can be activated or triggered based on the intensity

of illumination the LDR is subjected to. By using this method, the need for manpower can

be reduced dramatically.

What is a Darkness Activated Switch?

Darkness Activated Switch or dark activated switch employs an inverse concept of

the light activated switch. It is also a simple electrical circuit which can be used to

automatically switch on or off electrical load appliances, but instead of using the light

intensity for activation, it uses the absence of light or intensity of darkness as a trigger. It

also uses a LDR or Light Dependent Resistor as its main sensing component. This circuit’s

concept is usually used on street lightings or other automated lighting systems.

 ICCT COLLEGES FOUNDATION, INC.
V. V. Soliven Avenue II, Cainta Rizal

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Circuit Diagram

Light Activated Switch

Darkness Activated Switch

 ICCT COLLEGES FOUNDATION, INC.
V. V. Soliven Avenue II, Cainta Rizal

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Parts or Components Used

Light Activated Switch

➢ 9V Battery

➢ LDR

➢ 10k Ohm Potentiometer (can be replaced with a regular resistor)

➢ 1k Ohm Resistor

➢ LED

➢ 2N2222A NPN Transistor

Darkness Activated Switch

 ICCT COLLEGES FOUNDATION, INC.
V. V. Soliven Avenue II, Cainta Rizal

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
➢ 9V Battery

➢ LDR

➢ 200k Ohm Resistor

➢ 1k Ohm Resistor

➢ LED

➢ 2N2222A NPN Transistor

➢
 ICCT COLLEGES FOUNDATION, INC.
V. V. Soliven Avenue II, Cainta Rizal

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
How the Circuit Works

Light Activated Switch

When the LDR is struck with incident light its resistance drops, allowing current to

flow to the base of the 2N2222A. As current flows out of the base, a larger current flows

through the emitter-collector of the 2N2222A and thus energizes the LED.

Darkness Activated Switch

When the circuit is exposed to darkness, the resistance of the LDR increases. This

allows more current to flow on the base of the 2N2222A than the LDR’s path, and thus,

allows the transistor to be turned on and energize the LED.

 ICCT COLLEGES FOUNDATION, INC.
V. V. Soliven Avenue II, Cainta Rizal

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Testing the Circuits

The following photos were taken during the testing of the circuits:

Light Activated Switch

Darkness Activated Switch

ICCT COLLEGES FOUNDATION, INC.
V. V. Soliven Avenue II, Cainta Rizal

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING