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PIR Ceiling Fan Controller Circuit

Last Updated on June 30, 2026 by Swagatam 141 Comments

In this post I have explained a simple automatic PIR controlled ceiling fan circuit for school college use, which responds and switches ON only in the presence of a human (students) in the classroom. The idea was requested by Mr. Souren Bhattacharya.

Table of Contents
  • Technical Specifications
    • The Design 
    • Circuit Diagram
    • The PIR Module
    • Sensing Human Presence

Technical Specifications

I am, souren bhattacharya, a high school teacher in west bengal.

To reduce electricity used in my school classroom can you please make a circuit which can switch off/on fans (3/4 ceiling fans) in the classroom as per routine with a facility to manual override.

For example each class has one computer class and one physical education class in a week. we want to switch off ceiling fans when whole class is empty.

The Design 

The design will require some kind of human IR sensor to be included, for example a PIR sensor device which looks to be the most efficient and effective for the proposed application.

Incorporating a PIR sensor makes the design pretty simple since most of the complex circuitry is handled within the unit itself.

The sensor just needs to be integrated with a triggering stage and a correctly rated power supply as shown in the following diagram.

Circuit Diagram

PIR controlled ceiling fan circuit diagram

In the given diagram we are able to see a standard preprogrammed PIR module, a 7805 voltage regulator IC stage for supplying the PIR, and a simple 12 V transistor/relay driver stage.

The PIR Module

The PIR module has three terminals, the right one is the ground terminal, center one is the positive +3.3V or +5V, and the left terminal is the responsive output lead of the device.

When the particular assigned (+) and (-) terminals of the PIR device are connected to the specified supply voltages, the device instantly becomes responsive and begins "thinking".

No human presence or motion should be created in front of the unit's lens during this initial switch ON period for about a minute or so, until the device locks ON and puts itself into an alert or a ready stand by position.

The unit now becomes ready and responds to even the slightest human motion or presence in front of its lens by generating a positive supply at its output terminal.

This high at its output terminal persists as long as a human presence is detected within a radial range of around 20 meters in front of the PIR device.

Sensing Human Presence

The output turns into a zero voltage as soon as the human presence moves away or is removed.

The above well defined high/low voltage response at the output lead becomes ideally suited or accessible for a transistor relay driver stage as shown in the diagram.

When the PIR output is high due to the presence of a human (children in classroom), the transistor BC547 base receives the +3.3V out from the relevant lead of the device and quickly switches ON the relay.

The relay in turn switches ON the ceiling fan and the system stays ON as long as the students occupy the premise.

When the students leave and vacate the premise, the PIR instantly switches OFF its output to a zero voltage level.

However, the presence of the 470uF/25V capacitor at the output lead of the PIR prevents the BC547 from getting switched off instantly rather keeps it ON for a few seconds more after the PIR has reverted its output to zero.

After this delay the BC547 also gets deactivated, switching OFF the relay and the ceiling fan or any other desired load whatsoever that may be wired with the relay.

The above circuit may be effectively modified as given  below for operating lights, with a feature making sure that it's implemented only during the night time and not during the daytime when ample daylight is accessible. The idea was requested by Mr. Sham.

LDR and PIR controlled ceiling fan circuit

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Filed Under: Motor Controller Tagged With: Ceiling, Controller, PIR

About Swagatam

I am an electronics engineer and doing practical hands-on work from more than 15 years now. Building real circuits, testing them and also making PCB layouts by myself. I really love doing all these things like inventing something new, designing electronics and also helping other people like hobby guys who want to make their own cool circuits at home.

And that is the main reason why I started this website homemade-circuits.com, to share different types of circuit ideas..

If you are having any kind of doubt or question related to circuits then just write down your question in the comment box below, I am like always checking, so I guarantee I will reply you for sure!



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Reader Interactions

Questions & Answers

Total Posts: 141
Newest Oldest
Sheikh
July 20, 2025 • 12 months ago #184623

The system uses a PIR sensor to detect motion, triggering both the fan and light to turn on when someone enters the room. Additionally, two manual switches allow the user to override automatic behavior and control the fan or light independently. The fan is controlled using a PWM signal to allow speed control, while the light is toggled via a digital output or a relay. need a schematic for that.
NOTE: Will be Using Labjack U3

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
July 21, 2025 • 12 months ago #184649

You can try the following design:
PIR controlled light and fan circuit

Reply
Rajani
April 9, 2024 • 2 years ago #151459

Can you please guide me in selecting the components specifications if i have to control the total power supply to the room having 4fans and 6LED tubes.

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
April 9, 2024 • 2 years ago #151462

The load you have mentioned will not consume more than 6 amps, so a 10 amp relay should be enough.
You can use an 12V OEN type relay, as shown below:
OEN2Brelay
You can use the following simplified circuit, it is tested by me:
PIR fan controller

Reply
Rajani
April 2, 2024 • 2 years ago #151304

Thank you for the clear and concise explanation of a simple circuit. I have one question, can the relay be connected to the phase wire coming into the room instead of the fan or light?ay connecting to fan or light, can we connect it to phase wire comming in to the room

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
April 2, 2024 • 2 years ago #151305

You are welcome.
The phase wire has to be in series with the relay contact and the load, the same is true for the neutral wire…The phase, the load, the relay contacts, and the neutral, all should be in series, it doesn’t matter in what sequence they are connected.

Reply
Kofy
November 1, 2021 • 5 years ago #103369

Hello Sir I have been following your circuits and ideas with keen interest. Please I have a problem with a similar circuit. I an IR obstacle detector(3 pins – VCC-5v, GND and S-OUT) when it detects an object the output S, goes low. Now i want to drive a motor(5-12V DC) such that when IR detects an object the motor should stop, i used a transistor (TIP41) to rive the motor. I wish I can show my circuit here.
I will be happy if you can help me with a simple circuit to perform this

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
November 1, 2021 • 5 years ago #103426

Hello Kofy, you can upload your image into any online free image hosting side and provide the link here, I will check it, and try to solve it for you..

Reply
Ruth Pacallagan
May 26, 2018 • 8 years ago #60685

Is there an alternative for PIR? the PIR we bought is not working.

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
May 26, 2018 • 8 years ago #60686

sorry there’s no effective replacement for a PIR, a PIR mostly will work if configured correctly, make sure the pinouts are joined correctly, for more info you can read the following post:

https://www.homemade-circuits.com/pir-sensor-datasheet-pinout-specification-working/

Reply
Naresh
February 4, 2018 • 8 years ago #58262

Hi sir

Can I use two PIR ‘s in this circuit from different locations (different rooms). Because I need it to turn on when there is a human presence in the both rooms.

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
February 4, 2018 • 8 years ago #58265

yes definitely you can do that, by connecting the output pins of the two PIRs through separate 1N4148 diodes and terminating the common cathode ends with the transistor base

Reply
Naresh
February 4, 2018 • 8 years ago #58267

Sir thanks for the prompt response.
And Pls suggest me a suitable transformerless circuit to power the above circuit

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
February 5, 2018 • 8 years ago #58281

Naresh,

capacitive power supply is not recommended for this design, you must use a 12V SMPS adapter for operating this circuit.

Reply
Naresh
February 5, 2018 • 8 years ago #58283

OK can I use 5.5v cell phone charger and 5v relay?

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
February 5, 2018 • 8 years ago #58286

yes you can try that..

Reply
martin
December 6, 2017 • 9 years ago #56435

I liked your idea it’s brilliant one but what if I got two fans in The same room and I want them to operate sequentialy

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
December 6, 2017 • 9 years ago #56437

thanks, I am glad you liked it, by sequentially do you mean alternately? in that case you can use the other free contact of the relay and wire it with the other fan….

Reply
Unknown
August 2, 2017 • 9 years ago #52165

hi can i know what are the pin configuraion of the sensor ?

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
August 3, 2017 • 9 years ago #52182

as per the orientation shown in the figure it is:

OUT—(+)—GND

Reply
NvD
March 23, 2017 • 9 years ago #49248

sir
can i remove the capaciter from the circuit if i dont want delay in shutting off
can i use this circuit for automatic faucet…tell me if there is any modification

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
March 23, 2017 • 9 years ago #49257

NVD, yes removing the capacitor will cancel the delay effect.
and it can be effectively used for an automatic faucet application…

no mods will be required

Reply
Kesava Raj
November 22, 2016 • 10 years ago #46704

Thank u sir

Reply
Kesava Raj
November 21, 2016 • 10 years ago #46648

I/p supply y r using 2 * IN4148.
For voltage drop using..
We can use one IN4007…

The output Ampere of IN4148 how much it will produce…

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
November 22, 2016 • 10 years ago #46671

two diodes are for dropping 0.6V + 0.6V = 1.4V from the 5V.

you can use two 1N4007 diodes instead.

ampere consumption will depend on the PIR consumption. 1N4148 rating is 100mA

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
August 26, 2016 • 10 years ago #43910

you can refer to the following article and check how the transistor is configured with the triac, the same can be done with the above circuit

https://www.homemade-circuits.com/2011/12/make-simple-refrigerator-thermostat.html

Reply
john kg
July 21, 2016 • 10 years ago #42839

good day sir
i have made the circuit and its working perfect but its delay period is not so long since the 470 mf capacitor is charging to 3.1 v ( the output volt of the pir module. so inorder to get more delay period how to charge the capicitor to more volt like 12v what modification can i use in the above ckt to get more delay time (i even use 1000 uf still not effective
thaku sir
john

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
July 21, 2016 • 10 years ago #42854

John, you may have to do the following modifications:

remove the relay from the collector of the BC547 and replace it with the 470uF cap.

take a BC557 transistor, connect its base to the collector of BC547 via a 22k resistor….connect its emitter with the positive..and connect the relay across its collector the negative supply line.

Reply
john kg
July 16, 2016 • 10 years ago #42667

goood day sir
i would like to make a pir sensor activating light using 4538 timer ic ,the purpose is the delay period of pir module which i am having is anly about 20 sec
and it turns off before it retriggers.so inorder to get the delay period more can i use a 4538 timer ic . if it posible pls help me how to connect the triggering signal to 4538 ic
thanking you
john

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
July 16, 2016 • 10 years ago #42672

John, you can use a 555 based monostable for the purpose, because using a 4538 could make the configuration unnecessarily a little complex

you can use the following concept with the above PIR ciruit:

https://www.homemade-circuits.com/2014/06/input-trigger-synchronized-monostable.html

Eliminate R3, R4, BC557 from the circuit….and also remove the relay from the above PIR circuit

now simply connect the junction pin#2 and R1 from the 555 circuit with the collector of the BC547 of the PIR circuit

Reply
manjunath
June 2, 2016 • 10 years ago #41477

sir, in the above circuit can i use "TWO" pir sensors that results in activating load (light) in two differnt locations. if presence of human in any one of sensor the load should activate how can i insert another "pir" sensor thank you .

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
June 3, 2016 • 10 years ago #41490

Manjunath, yes that can done by configuring the second PIR exactly as the shown PIR in the diagram.

the junction of the 1K and the 470uF gets the input feed from both the PIRs via individual diodes

the supply terminals are joined as per the shown PIR wiring

Reply
Gerald Akamaka
May 11, 2016 • 10 years ago #40846

Good day sir, I am an electrical /electronic engineering student in Nigeria and I have been building most of your circuit ever since and I have to say a very big thanks to you, you are a great man.

I want to build the circuit above but I have a problem with the PIR sensor, I couldn't get the exact model used in the circuit but found another model with five pins/terminals with model number (SV612A-V1.4).
How can I use this model in the circuit above?

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
May 12, 2016 • 10 years ago #40857

Hi Gerald, I am glad to know that you could succeed with many of the circuits from this website.

Please go through the datasheet of the PIR as referred in the previous comment, you should be able to figure out the wiring details, if you still have problems, let me know about it I'll try to help.

Reply
Rajkumar v
March 26, 2016 • 10 years ago #40025

Dear sir good day to you,
It works perfect for me. But not accurate. How to adjust Retriggering' option ? (L&H position)Why is this? Can you please tell me?

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
May 12, 2016 • 10 years ago #40856

Hi, you can check out the datasheet of the unit below, and configure the circuit accordingly.

http://www.gme.cz/img/cache/doc/754/295/pir-modul-sb00612a-2-datasheet-6.pdf

Reply
Unknown
May 11, 2016 • 10 years ago #40845

Dear sir, good day to you

I tried to build the above circuit but encountered a problem with the PIR sensor.
I couldn't find the the exact model in my country but found another one with five pins with model number (SV612A-V1.4). please sir, how can I use this model in the above circuit?.

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
March 27, 2016 • 10 years ago #40044

Dear Rajkumar,

Please Google "PIR retriggering" and you'll be able to find the the required answer online.

and if you want the circuit to be more sensitive then you may have to employ an opamp for the amplifications, as explained in the following article.

https://www.homemade-circuits.com/2012/10/how-to-understand-and-connect-passive.html

Reply
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