Light alarm by use of 555

Color Sensor Click here for the circuit diagram

Colour sensor is an interesting project for hobbyists. The cir- cuit can sense eight colours, i.e.
blue, green and red (primary colours); magenta, yellow and cyan (secondary colours); and black
and white. The circuit is based on the fundamentals of optics and digital electronics. The object
whose colour is required to be detected should be placed in front of the system. The light rays
reflected from the object will fall on the three convex lenses which are fixed in front of the three
LDRs. The convex lenses are used to converge light rays. This helps to increase the sensitivity of
LDRs. Blue, green and red glass plates (filters) are fixed in front of LDR1, LDR2 and LDR3
respectively. When reflected light rays from the object fall on the gadget, the coloured filter glass
plates determine which of the LDRs would get triggered. The circuit makes use of only �AND�
gates and �NOT� gates.
When a primary coloured light ray falls on the system, the glass plate corresponding to that
primary colour will allow that specific light to pass through. But the other two glass plates will not
allow any light to pass through. Thus only one LDR will get triggered and the gate output
corresponding to that LDR will become logic 1 to indicate which colour it is. Similarly, when a
secondary coloured light ray falls on the system, the two primary glass plates corres- ponding to
the mixed colour will allow that light to pass through while the remaining one will not allow any
light ray to pass through it. As a result two of the LDRs get triggered and the gate output
corresponding to these will become logic 1 and indicate which colour it is.
When all the LDRs get triggered or remain untriggered, you will observe white and black light
indications respectively. Following points may be carefully noted :
1. Potmeters VR1, VR2 and VR3 may be used to adjust the sensitivity of the LDRs.
2. Common ends of the LDRs should be connected to positive supply.
3. Use good quality light filters.
The LDR is mounded in a tube, behind a lens, and aimed at the object. The coloured glass filter
should be fixed in front of the LDR as shown in the figure. Make three of that kind and fix them in
a suitable case. Adjustments are critical and the gadget performance would depend upon its
proper fabrication and use of correct filters as well as light conditions

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 Experiment with Light
Dependent Resistor Circuit
Introduction To Light DependentResistor (LDR)

In the dark, the resistance of the LDR is very high, typically around 1M ohm. In bright light it is
low, typically 1K ohm. An example of the peak spectral response of the LDR (VT936G from EG&G)
is 550nm. The continuous power dissipation is 80mW and the maximum voltage which can be
applied to it is 100V.

The snake like track on the face of the LDR is a cadmium sulphide (CdS) film. On each side is a
metal film which is connected to the terminal leads. Use a multimeter to measure its resistance
when light is shine on it and when it is placed in a dark place. This will help to enhance your
knowledge of the concept as to how the LDR works.

Simple Light Dependent Resistor Description

The Light Dependent Resistor and a trimpot form a voltage divider which is used to apply bias to a
transistor. As the LDR changes resistance the change in potential is detected by the circuit and the
relay is activated. The PCB-mounted switch just interchanges the trimpot & the LDR as far as the
detection circuit is concerned. So a dark activated switch becomes a light activated switch or vice
versa.

An LED with current limiting resistor is in parallel to the relay to give a visual indication of when
the relay is turned on. The relay (Use a 5A/250VAC) can be connected to a light bulb
and power supply which will light up when the environment is bright or vice versa.

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This circuit is satisfactory if the changes in light level to be detected are large and the transition is
quick - for example, a person walking past a doorway. An inherent problem of the circuit is
chattering of the relay for slowly changing light levels just at the transistion point between turning
on/odd and vice versa. This leads to the relay chattering as it rapidly turns on/off. This problem
can be overcome in by having a hysteresis circuit using an op-amp or a Schmidt Trigger.

Parts List

The parts list of the LDR circuit is as shown below.

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