Simple Bedroom Lamp Timer Circuit Using IC 741

A simple automatic bedroom lamp timer circuit has been described here to switch off your bedroom lamp after a fixed predetermined time. The use of the reliable 741 IC makes the circuit very easy to build and moreover very accurate.

Introduction

The circuit of an automatic bedroom lamp timer presented here is super easy to understand and uses very few components to operate. The use of an integrated circuit 741 makes the circuit more accurate compared to the transistor ones.

In many houses, the light switch sometimes is situated at a distance from the bed and often, folks may have the habit of reading a book or so before dozing off.
In such an occasion one would desire they had a device that could be timed as required to automatically switch-off the light after a certain fixed period.

The proposed circuit of a bedroom lamp timer is designed exactly to satisfy the above need. The device will automatically switch off the connected bedroom light and itself after a particular period of time depending upon the setting.

A standard RC timing configuration has been employed and works satisfactorily for the present application.

The IC 741 which is wired as a monostable multivibrator forms the main active part of the circuit.

You already must be too familiar with this IC and we know that it’s basically an op-amp having huge applications in electronic circuit configurations.

In one of the standard applications the IC 741 may be used to compare voltages in between its inverting and non inverting inputs. On sensing the trigger threshold at one of its inputs, the IC toggles its output condition and activates the output parameters

Here as explained above, it is used as a comparator and is used to compare the charging voltage of a capacitor to a particular set level after which it switches the output.

Circuit Operation

Referring to the figure, we see that the inverting input is set to about 2/3 rd of the supply voltage. This voltage level in fact becomes the reference source to the IC.

The non inverting input pin of the IC is connected to the unction of a RC network, where the other end of the resistor R (variable if required) is connected to the positive supply and the negative pin of the capacitor C goes to the ground point of the circuit.

Powering the circuit is rather done in an interesting manner. Here the transistor T2 along with PB1 is so wired that on pressing PB1, T2 latches and holds the supply voltage to keep the circuit powered.

Now, initially the voltage at pin #3 is almost at the ground potential because of C, however as C charges the potential at this pin of the IC starts rising.

Depending upon the value of R, after a particular length of time C charges itself to a level which may be above 2/3 rd of the supply voltage as set at the inverting input.

The IC responds and immediately toggles its output to produce a logic high or a positive voltage.

T1 and the triac at the output deactivates and switches of the external load connected to it. The high logic at the output of the IC also inhibits T2 from conducting and breaks the latch to switch of the whole system.

The timing sequence of this bedroom lamp timer can be repeated or initiated by pressing PB1 whenever felt necessary.

Using Transistors

The simple bedroom lamp timer can be also implemented using a couple of BJTs as shown in the following diagram.

The idea looks even more compact due to the inclusion of a transformerless power supply.

The two BJTs are wired like a delay OFF timer stage.

As soon as the push button is pressed, the 100 uF capacitor is fully charged, and the transistors become activated, switching ON the triac and the bedroom lamp.

On releasing the push button the transistor and the triac along with the lamp continue to remain switched ON due to the presence of the stored charged inside the 100 uF capacitor, which holds the BJTs base forward biased.

However, the capacitor now also starts discharging though the 2M2 resistor and the NPN emitter pin.

When the voltage across the capacitor drops sufficiently below the holding level of the NPN, the transistors are unable to remain switched ON anymore and are switched OFF, turning off the triac the lamp.

The time for which the lamp can stay ON, is basically determined by the 100 uF capacitor and the 2M2 resistors.

WARNING: All the circuit concepts presented above are not isolated from the mains AC, and therefore touching the elements in the powered condition can be fatal. Necessary precautions are strictly advised.

Make sure to use a plastic enclosure for the circuit once the working of the finalized design is confirmed.

About Swagatam

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!