The following circuit of a temperature or climate controlled automatic fan speed regulator circuit was requested by one of the followers of this blog Mr.Anil Kumar. Let's learn more about the proposed design.
The Design
As can be seen in the given diagram, a very simple concept has been implemented in the proposed design of a climate controlled or temperature controlled fan regulator circuit.
A1, A2, and A3 are the 3 opamps from the IC LM324 which are configured as voltage comparators and amplifier.
The diode D1 which is a common "garden diode" has a very interesting "drawback", it changes its forward voltage drop by 2mV in response to every degree rise in the ambient temperature or the temperature surrounding it.
The above drawback of the device becomes our benefit here, because the feature here is exploited for sensing the ambient temperature of the premise.
The varying voltage across D1, in response to the varying surrounding temperature is effectively amplified at the output of A3.
The above amplified response is fed over an LED/LDR opto coupler, where the LED becomes the output load of A3.
Therefore the brightness of the LED varies proportionately in response to the temperature variations, it becomes brighter with increasing temperature and vice versa.
The above illumination falls over the built in LDR of the opto, which in turn varies its resistance according to the above information from D1.
Since the LDR is fixed as the gate control resistor of the dimmer circuit consisting of R11, C5, R13, DC1 and the TR1, the voltage across TR1 starts regulating the mains AC in accordance with the fed LED/LDR response.
When the LED is bright (at higher temperatures), the LDR resistance lowers. allowing the triac to pass more current.
This increases the speed of the fan, and when the LED/LDR response decreases (at lower temperatures), the speed of the fan also decreases.
A compact power supply consisting of C3, C2, Z1 supplies the required filtered DC to the IC LM324 temperature sensor configuration for the intended operations.
Idealy P1 should be adjusted such that the LED just begins glowing at about 24 degree Celsius, initiating the rotation of the fan at the minimum level.
D1 must be kept exposed well outside the enclosure so that it is able to sense the fan breeze directly.
Circuit Diagram
WARNING - THE CIRCUIT IS NOT ISOLATED FROM MAINS AC...... BE VERY MUCH CAUTIONED WHILE BUILDING AND TESTING THIS CIRCUIT.
Kesava Raj says
Hai sir,,
I need ac fan step by step regulator circuit..up to 4 levels sir
Swagatam says
if possible i'll try to post it soon
gojo shthak says
sir i have 3 terminal ic78L05 (outout gnd and input) how to implement it in this circuit ?
Swagatam says
C1 side is out…..C2 side is in
gojo shthak says
Sir will this circuit work i am making it.any headsup for me before making it ?
Swagatam says
Gojo, this circuit will work if it's built if perfect understanding and care… and also by checking the stages step-wise before integrating together
Swagatam says
first build the opamp stage, check it with a DC power supply, and make sure the LED changes its illumination when subjected to temperatures from 20 to 40 degrees C, proportionately
after that build the dimmer stage, confirm the dimming effect using a pot instead of the LDR…and then replace the pot with the LDR concealed with the oamp LED
all these will require a lot of optimization and understanding of the concept.
newcomers should not try this circuit
O.J. Herbert says
Can I use a transistor based optocopler too I got PC817 and I realised it was a transistor based isolator. I looked in the near by store and failed to find that particular one. Or maybe you could help me with the code..
I'm in the final process of building it on PCB board
Swagatam says
NO, LED/transistor opto will not work here, only an LED/LDR hand-made opto will work, because the resistance of the dimmer circuit needs to vary in response to the LED brightness levels for the required fan speed control
O.J. Herbert says
But its possible to use a DC input circuit isolated from AC through an opto copler and Triac?
Could you help show me the circuit.
Well, i also needed a pin-out number of the 324 IC used. Cos im not so good in it.
Swagatam says
yes you can replace the capacitive power supply with a DC adapter power supply, …..the circuit already employs an LED/LDR based opto so it is isolated from mains.
if you are not good with the basics then I would advise you to first learn all the basics and only then try this complex circuit
O.J. Herbert says
Well thanks for helping us upcoming ambitious sudents.
Mine has the same principle( control of the speed fan using a DC power source with a Thermistor.
Could you please help me with that
Swagatam says
thermistors are not sensitive enough to sense minute changes in ambient temperature, so I don't think it can be used for the mentioned application….the proposed 1N4148 as the sensor in the above article is a better approach.
Javid Ahamed says
how change the setting for low temperature and high speed fan operation
Saeed Abu says
Dear is this circuit is tested?
Swagatam says
the two module were tested separately for different applications but not together, however it's recommended for experts only, newcomers will fail for sure
NITESH CHOURASIA says
Sir, do we need to give vcc and ground to the ic??
Swagatam says
Nitesh, the Vcc/ground will go to the 78L05 output supply….pin4 to (+) and pin11 to (-) of 78L05 outputs respectively
NITESH CHOURASIA says
Hi sir, do we need to provide vcc and ground , to the ic LM324??
Marri RAJESH says
hai sir we are going to do this temp controlled ceiling fan as our mini project can u help us
Swagatam says
Hi Rajesh, if you do everything exactly as given in the above article it will surely work…
if you have questions you can put them here.
Marri RAJESH says
sir please give me a view about p1
Swagatam says
It's given in the article explantion
Jyotshna Josh says
Can you tell me the principle involved in the room temperature control fan…. in a simple way?
Swagatam says
D1 senses the ambient temp changes which is amplified by the opamps, then fed to the dimmer circuit which converts it into corresponding varying fan speeds
Anonymous says
What are the part names of D1, DC1, R13, and L1?
Swagatam says
D1 = 1N4148
DC1 = diac DB-3
R13 = 47 ohms
L1 is not required, replace it with a link
Amlan says
can u help me how to rotate adjust fan forward and reverse direction??? i need it very urgent.
Swagatam says
try this:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G-E1CvLaU4U/UOfhAH6C0ZI/AAAAAAAACas/nsaEsevlY6k/s1600/reverse+forward+dc+motor+speed+controller+circuit.jpg
use BC557 and not BC547 as wrongly shown in the diagram.
tony blaze says
thanks a lot…. 🙂
tonyblaze says
i got a project,
to create a temperature controlled fan using lm35 can u help me with this???????
Swagatam says
I'll try my best to help you.
tonyblaze says
can you tell me the calculations coming around the diode d1for setting the temperature????
Swagatam says
you can find the explanations here:
http://www.brighthubengineering.com/diy-electronics-devices/73195-build-yourself-a-simple-and-accurate-electronic-room-thermometer/
Suraj Gawande says
please tell which is D1?
Swagatam says
near A2….click the diagram to enlarge.
kartik sharma says
hiii swagatam sir..
can u give me an idea about speed controlling of a 12 volt d.c. fan with temprature….
Swagatam says
Hi Kartik,
I'll try to post it soon.
Muhammad Zulkifly says
mr swagatam, this circuit does't need to use microcontroller?
my project also same that objective is :
1. use PIR sensor when its detect the fan would move.
2. then using dimmer 1 to control the lamp using LDR.
3. then using dimmer 2 to control speed of ceiling fan motor using temperature sensor.
all this I using PIC microcontroller.. Can u help me solve it? i have a circuit but cant check either its function or not because its depend on coding of PIC that i dont have.. can u help me?
Swagatam says
Mr.Muhammed,
I am sorry…I cannot help you with a PIC programming, I am good with discrete electronics only….
PSK™ says
Wow this is great. Thanks a lot for this circuit sir Swagatam !
Swagatam says
My pleasure, dear PSK!