Make this Foot Activated Staircase Light Circuit

The post explains a simple foot activated staircase light circuit comprising of a chain of LEDs which activate sequentially in response to each climbed step. The idea was requested by Mr. Dwayne.

Circuit Objectives and Requirements

• I'm hoping you can help me. I am hoping to make a LED light up staircase.
• Using LED light strips on each step I would like the circuit to be activated by a Pressure switch on the first step (and top step for coming back down). There are 2 ways I would like it to work.
• Option 1:
• The LED's to light up in a delay, step-by-step with say a 1 or 2 second delay between each step illuminating. But the lights staying on until the last light is illuminated, then they all turn off together maybe 3 or 4 seconds after the last step is illuminated.
• Option 2:
• I imagine somewhat easier and more simple would be;
  The LED's to all activate at the same time upon being activated by the pressure switch. Remaining on for 10 or 15 seconds then all turning off together.
• I have not done anything like this before so would really appreciate all possible support and information.

Many thanks in advance.

Using separate Sensors and LEDs for Sequential Lighting

The proposed foot activated staircase LED light circuit can be implemented in two unique ways:

1) The first idea allows a chain of LEDs installed across the length of the entire staircase to be lit sequentially, one after the other in response to each step climbed by the visitor.

2) The second concept allows all the LEDs to light up together when the visitors steps on the first stair, and the light is shut off as soon as the visitor has crossed the last uppermost

The first concept can be implemented by installing the following circuit across each of the stair steps:

Circuit Diagram

The piezo transducer in the design is used as a pressure to electricity converter. The piezo element is supposed to be embedded within each of the stairs, while each of the associated circuitry to be wired within the nearby wall, along with the LED.

Once done, whenever someone steps on the staircases, the relevant piezo generates a small electric pulse in response to the vibration, which in turn triggers the 2N2222 delay OFF timer stage, and the LED which now lights up for a few seconds and then automatically shuts off.

The above action goes on happening as the visitor climbs the steps, illuminating and shutting off each subsequent LED in a sequential manner.

Using a Flip Flop and Delay Timer for Creating a String Light Effect

The second foot activated staircase light circuit idea can be enforced by installing the following across the first and the last staircases.

Parts List

R1 = 100 ohms
R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R9, R10 = 10K
R7 = 100K
R8 = 330K
C1, C2 = 0.22uF
C3 = 1uF/25V
C4 = 470uF/25V
D1----D7 = 1N4148
D8 = 3V zener diode
IC1 = 4017 IC
T1, T3, T4 = BC547
T2, T5 = BC557
Relay = 12V, 400 ohm

Circuit Operation

In the above design two piezo transducers can be seen embedded across the first and the last staircases.

When the first piezo is hit by the foot of the visitor, the tiny electrical pulses generated from the piezo is amplified by the T1/T2 stage and applied at pin#14 of the IC 4017, which is rigged as a flip flop stage here.

The trigger allows the 4017 to toggle ON the relay driver stage which lights up the LED lamp.

The process also triggers a delay ON timer circuit which begins counting the delay for which it is been fixed.

In the meantime the user continues climbing the steps until he reaches the upper most step, and his foot activates the second piezo transducer, which yet again toggles the IC 4017, but this time to switch OFF the relay driver stage and the LED.

In case the user decides not the climb the steps and returns back or takes abnormally too long to complete his journey across the steps, the delay timer comprising T3/T4 switches ON into action and resets the IC 4017 IC causing the LED to switch OFF.

If you have more innovative suggestions to improve the discussed foot activated staircase LED light circuit, please use the comment box for expressing the same.

About the Author

I am an electronic engineer (dipIETE ), hobbyist, inventor, schematic/PCB designer, manufacturer. I am also the founder of the website: https://www.homemade-circuits.com/, where I love sharing my innovative circuit ideas and tutorials. If you have any circuit related query, you may interact through comments, I'll be most happy to help!