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You are here: Home / Water Level Controller / Municipal Water Supply Sensor Controller Circuit

Municipal Water Supply Sensor Controller Circuit

Last Updated on October 16, 2020 by Swagatam 76 Comments

The post explains a simple water sensor with pump starter circuit for switching a pump motor during municipal water supply periods. The idea was requested by Mr. Hitesh Thapa.

Technical Specifications

Is it possible to make a automatic water pump starter which turns On only when the city supply line has water flowing.

Here is the scenario.

- City Supply Line opens only for 1 hour anytime during 6AM - 10AM or rarely sometimes in the evening depending on the water guy.

- We need to keep a watch during these times and keep the main tap open to see if the water has come.

- Once the water has come, we turn on the water pump attached to the main supply line to pump water into our underground water tank.

Could this be automated, like we install some sensor between the water pump and the main supply line that detects water and turns on the motor only when the supply is in full flow?

I have made the water level indicator at home from watching some videos online and it works fine for the overhead tank at home but this one seems to be tough nut to crack :).

Any help is highly appropriated.

Thanks,
Hitesh Thappa

Circuit Diagram

Parts List

  • Resistor 1k, 1/4 watt, 5% CFR = 1 no
  • Capacitor 10uF/25V Electrolytic = 1 no
  • Transistor TIP122 = 1no
  • Relay 12V/30 Amp/ SPDT = 1no
  • Diode 1N4007 = 1no
  • Stainless steel metal for the probes
  • 220 V AC to 12 V DC adapter = 1no

The Design

The circuit design of the proposed municipal water sensor with pump starter is very simple as may be witnessed in the shown diagram.

A Darlington TIP 122 transistor becomes the main active sensing device in the circuit. The device being a Darlington is very sensitive and thus becomes specifically suited to the application.

Its base and the positive DC are together clamped as probes across the water pipe mouth where the incoming utility water is intended to be sensed.

In absence of water the probes stay separated with air gap which renders a very high resistance across the probes which in turn keeps the transistor/relay stage switched off.

The 10uF capacitor at the base of the transistor ensures that the transistor does not get rattled or disturbed by external noises trying to make way through the sensor wires.

When utility water supply initiates, the pipe mouth begins throwing water into the adjoining tank, the speed of the water through pipe brushes across the probes creating a relatively low resistance across it.

This low resistance allows the positive DC to reach the base of the BJT triggering it into conduction...the transistor now conducts and switches ON the relay, the relay contacts shift position and switch ON the connected pump.

Upgrading the above municipal water sensor into an overhead tank overflow cut off circuit

The discussed circuit in the above section can be appropriately enhanced with an additional feature which will enable the circuit to sense an overhead tank full situation and switch OFF the relay along with the pump motor. The upgraded circuit design can be viewed  below:

Parts List

  • Resistor 1k, 1/4 watt, 5% CFR = 2 no
  • Capacitor 10uF/25V Electrolytic = 1 no
  • Capacitor 0.22uF PPC = 1no
  • Transistor TIP122 = 1no
  • Transistor BC547 = 2nos
  • Relay 12V/30 Amp/ SPDT = 1no
  • Diode 1N4007 = 1no
  • Stainless steel metal for the probes
  • 220 V AC to 12 V DC adapter = 1no
SHARING IS CARING!



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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!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Search Related Posts for Commenting

  2. Hitesh says

    I want this circuit. Kindly Contact me.

    Reply
  3. Carlos says

    Hello, the circuit really works .. But what happens is that the tips have been corroded for a while.

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Glad it worked, you can try replacing the metal probes with graphite probes

      Reply
  4. Gaurav says

    Sir, can I use 5V relay and 5V dc supply also? Because it is easily available in mobile charger. Otherwise i have to buy 12V adapter

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Hi Gaurav, yes that will do, but I don’t think a 5V relay will be able to drive a heavy pump motor

      Reply
  5. Gaurav says

    I have one more query, how can we connect 12 V dc relay to direct a.c with motor. I can not understand these connections

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Please read this article to understand how a relay is connected with AC mains load
      https://www.homemade-circuits.com/how-a-relay-works-in-circuits-how-to-connect-it/

      Reply
  6. Syed umer says

    Sir,
    Please clarify, what is voltage used to power the circuit, as well, which relay is used in the article “MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY SENSOR CONTROLLER CIRCUIT(first normal circuit)

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      You can use a 12V relay and a 12V supply input

      Reply
  7. Manish Saini says

    Hello sir, tip122 not working only on relay sensor point not working

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      replace it with two BC547 as shown in the second diagram lower side.

      Reply
  8. Carlos says

    I already have it with a 100k resistor and a 100nf capacitor at the base of Gnd and it works well for years.

    Reply
  9. SANJAY GHOSH says

    Swagatam Sir, I would like to know why you are using a TIP 122 transistor as a relay driver, because I feel a BC 547 or at the most a 2N2222 will be enough to drive even heavier relay. Please explain.

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Hi Sanjay, 2 reasons for that, first TIP122 is a Darlington and will respond to water contact efficiently, secondly since the water pump relay may be quite big with coil resistance below 100 ohms TIP122 will easily handle it, BC547 may heat up and get destroyed with such relays. However, you an try two 2N2222 in Darlington mode, that will do the job equally well

      Reply
  10. M.Siva Rama Prasad says

    Sri Swagatam
    While I was checking up. With different pump manufacturers I came across your own project That is a sensor based Auto on and off for a motor connected to the Muncipal water system . I am a lay man a retired senior banker . However I have a relative who is good in electronic circuits . I request you to please forward me a circuit diagram along with the components so that I can request my relative to make one for me .
    Thanks
    Siva Rama Prasad

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Hello Mr. M.Siva Rama,

      The diagram shown in the above article has all the required information regarding the wiring and the parts details. If you show this to the concerned engineer, he will be able to make the prototype without any problems.
      Still, if you need any further assistance please feel free to contact me here.

      Reply
  11. Deepak says

    Thanks sir,
    But I have one another problem.
    Relay on without water in pipe line.
    I put two probes across the water pipe with 1 pair of wire. 1 wire has dc voltege of 5.35 volt which comes from this circuit and the pararrel wire which is connected to bais of transistor also has dc voltage of 4.80 volt so how is it posible? And there is no water in the municipal pipe line even relay on !!! And there is 2 cm distance between two probe and also no continuity in wire while no water in pipe line

    Reply
    • Swag says

      Hi Deepak, it could mean either your transistor is faulty or its ground connection is broken. Change the transistor and check again. Also preferably connect the base wire through a diode to eliminate confusions.

      Reply
  12. Deepak says

    Hello sir,
    As it used 10uf 25 v capacitor in the base of transistor after the resister 1k. wht will happen when capacitor is charged and no water in pipe line than capacitor produce voltage to base of transistor without resister so it will not harm the transistor ?
    As we know base of transistor need less than 0.7 v.

    Reply
    • Swag says

      Hello Deepak, the charge stored in the capacitor will be restricted to a level which is perfectly safe for the transistor base. In fact the voltage level inside the capacitor will be restricted to 0.6V or 0.7V, because the forward voltage drop of most BJTs is restricted to this value therefore the capacitor can charge only upto this limit, so nothing to worry..

      Reply
  13. Imtiyaz says

    Hi Swagatam,
    The circuit is working fine. Request you to suggest a suitable modified circuit for eliminating the problem of pump frequently switching on off frequently during the starting few minutes of water supply. I wish once the pump is started should not go off for a couple of minutes even if the sensor are sensing water and air in sequence until the supply is stable.
    Hope I am clear.
    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Swag says

      Hi Imtiyaz, I am glad it is working for you!

      To solve this you can add a 470uF/25V capacitor across the relay coil, this will make sure that the relay does not stutter during the initial fluctuating water supply conditions.

      Reply
      • Imtiyaz says

        The shuttering still persist, without resolving continuous practical application is not possible.
        As I am a mechanical engineer, request you to forward a complete circuit with discussed modification and introduction of selector switch for auto and manual selection. It would be more asthetic if led indicators are also introduced.
        My e-mail id is
        imtiyaz_ur@yahoo.co.in
        Thank you

        Reply
        • Swag says

          Hi, did you connect the capacitor across the relay coil? Even after you connect it if the water supply is too much fluctuating with large delays between ON and OFF then the relay will stutter,and cannot be solved with the above simple circuit.

          In that case you will have to build a IC 555 monostable circuit and use it.

          build the circuit which is shown in the following article

          https://homemade-circuits.com/intruder-position-indicator-security/

          remove the piezo, and connect the two wires with the water pipe probes.

          remove the LED, resistor, and replace it with a relay, make sure to connect a diode across the relay coil.

          The 1M pot will need to be correctly adjusted such that the stuttering just stops.

          Reply
          • Imtiyaz says

            Thanks for the guidance,
            All the 3 parts are working
            A)Water sensing to start pump
            B)Time delay to stop shuttering
            C)Overflow pump stopping

            Now one small problem, when incoming water stopped#pump goes off
            But a slight residue water in the pipe touches the sensor the pump is restarted, how can this issue be tackled?

            Reply
            • Swag says

              That’s great! I am glad it’s serving the purpose for you.

              To solve the present issue, You will have to position the sensor in such a way that the water touches the sensor only when there’s some force in the water, otherwise without any force the residual water should be unable to come in contact with the sensor points.

  14. Ashish Gautam says

    Is it not possible to use 12v AC instead of 12v DC ? A transformer could be used to convert 220v AC into 12v AC ?

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      It is possible, but the circuit could be come a little complex…

      Reply
      • Gaurav says

        Sir, where can I buy these probes? How to put them in local water line. I can not understand the prob installation and where can i buy it

        Reply
        • Swagatam says

          Gaurav, the probes are simple copper wires tinned with good quality solder, no need to buy, you can make it at home

          Reply
    • Ashish Gautam says

      Complex in what way ? Also, I am not able to find the Tip122 Darlington transistor, is there any substitute for it ? Does relay work in both AC and DC or is there different type of relay for different current ? And will 12v relay work for this circuit ?
      Many thanks for the reply.

      Reply
    • Swagatam says

      You can replace the TIP122 by manually making a Dalington using a 2N2222 and TIP31
      A relay will work only with DC, not with AC unless its rectified

      I have designed an anti-corrosion related circuit below, you can check it out:

      https://homemade-circuits.com/2017/06/anti-corrosion-probes-for-water-level.html

      Reply
    • Swagatam says

      you ca use the relay which is shown in the following article

      https://homemade-circuits.com/2012/01/how-to-understand-and-use-relay-in.html

      Reply
  15. hemanth hearts says

    Hello I want ready ckt is available in any where

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      sorry, there's no readymade unit available from here..

      Reply
  16. john kg says

    thank you sir for ur kind advice one more query how much should be the gap need to maintain between the sensor probes and voltage to supply ( our supply pipe is 1.5 inch dia )

    john

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      the distance could be around 1cm, but make sure that it is built in such a way that water does not clog between this gap when water supply has stopped.

      Reply
      • Fazil kadri says

        Hi, Tx for the relief you are giving so many people.
        I have a request if you could give me a simplified complete circuit diagram including the non stuttering on/off at low supply for upto 1hp pump.
        Will be greatly obliged . Thanks

        Reply
        • Swagatam says

          Hi, thanks, to prevent stuttering of the relay, you can simply add a 1000uF capacitor right across the relay coil.

          Reply
  17. john kg says

    good day sir
    is it possible to use probe be made off aluminium ( easily avaliable from home utensil) instead of brass ( not easily availiable in my place )

    john

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      good day john,

      you can try the same circuit which is explained above, for indication you can connect an LED in series with the base of the transistor.

      for the sensor aluminum will work but aluminum may be also prone to oxidation. instead you can use copper and tin it with a thick layer of solder…the solder should be of the highest grade with a tin/lead ratio of 60/40…or better.

      Reply
  18. john kg says

    good day sir

    i need acircuit which detects water flow and giving indication of same when pump starting to fill the overhead tank . we are using pvc pipes and what kind of snsor probs can be used instead of brass for effctive response

    john

    Reply
  19. Unknown says

    I want to buy a 'READY TO USE' Controller
    which can Switch – On the pump, when it detects
    water flow from the City's supply and when
    the same stops, it Switch – Off the pump. Has
    any company incorporate this circuit design in
    their Controller device ? And if so, please list
    the name and contact info. Thanks

    Sudhir
    Gurgaon HR

    April 27, 2017

    Note: Needless to say, the controller, should have
    other features, like Switch Off the pump, when tank
    gets filled

    Reply
  20. Ganesh Budukale says

    Respected sir,
    as per this circuit diagram and instruction build the same but i dint get result , would u can mail me with details .progressofganesh@gmail.com

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Ganesh, the concept explained is very straightforward and should work without fail, you might have done something incorrect in your design…

      you can confirm the results using a cup of water and immerse the sensor points inside it to check whether the relay clicks or not…

      Reply
    • Swagatam says

      …you can also try reducing the 10uF to 1uF for better response

      Reply
  21. Meet Patel says

    Great. Now this would become Dual functionality embedded in one circuit only. Thanks a lot.

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      My pleasure!!

      Reply
  22. Meet Patel says

    Hello sir, have you thought on that new concept which I requested earlier?

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Meet, due to lack of time I could not do it, will try to update it soon…

      Reply
    • Swagatam says

      ….I have updated the new design at the bottom of the article.

      Reply
  23. Meet Patel says

    No problem. Thanks.

    Reply
  24. Meet Patel says

    How should I make water level controller system in this same circuit? So that after filling tank the motor will automatically turn-off, please guide me.

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      I'll try to upadte the idea in the above article soon…

      Reply
  25. Meet Patel says

    sorry I made a mistake. There is a single phase motor, not three phase motor. So i got solution. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      OK, in that case you can use a regular SPDT relay with 30 amp contacts.

      Reply
  26. Meet Patel says

    As you said I purchased 3 pole relay of PLA company (3C/O MPC 12D-5) having 11 pin encircled. It has 3 pole so on 3 common , 3 N/C and 3 N/O. Now how should I make a connection of 3 phase motor with this relay? please help me out.

    Reply
  27. Meet Patel says

    Thanks a lot. Now I got the whole scenario.

    Reply
  28. Meet Patel says

    should I use single channel relay on 3 phase motor or else double channel relay is suitable for the same?

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      for 3 phase motor you will require a TPTT relay or 3-pole relay with heavy duty contacts

      Reply
    • Meet Patel says

      Ok. Thanks. Because single channel relay can conduct only DC supply.

      Reply
    • Swagatam says

      relays can conduct AC/DC both, but in 3 phase there are 3 lines therefore 3 contacts would be required, a single contact relay cannot work

      Reply
  29. Meet Patel says

    ok. thank you so much.

    Reply
  30. Meet Patel says

    Hey.. Appreciated your project.
    I have one doubt.
    What type of sensor probes being used?

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      thanks meet, you can use brass terminals with solder plating as the probes.

      Reply
  31. Faisal Pasha says

    Finally I got circuit diagram from Google images, Mr. Swagatam Majumdar can you tell me how much voltages is required to run this circuit because i'm mechanical student I've not enough knowledge about electronics circuit.

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Faisal, you can operate it with 12V… if the relay is also 12V rated, or any voltage that matches the relay coil voltage

      Reply
  32. Faisal Pasha says

    Dear Swagatam Majumdar,
    The project (Municipal water supply sensor, pump controller circuit) circuit diagram doesn't show on your site. please send me circuit diagram at email id: faisalpasha9090@gmail.com
    thanks!

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Dear Faisal, it could be your ISP problem, please read this:

      https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140620140349-53089235-blogspot-down-in-pakistan

      Reply
  33. Zafar Ahmed Abbasi says

    very helpful thank you

    Reply
  34. Nick Hayes says

    How much DC voltage do I need for this?

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      will depend upon the relay voltage spec used, if it's 12v then the supply can also be 12V and so on.

      Reply
    • Swagatam says

      you can refer to the following article, the relay explanation along with its specs are provided here

      https://homemade-circuits.com/2012/01/how-to-understand-and-use-relay-in.html

      Reply
  35. Advance Hi Tech says

    Required support to repair the electronic circuit

    Reply
    • Manish says

      Hello sir
      I am a medico nd I have a little knowledge of resistors nd capacitors .
      So sir can u explain me little bit simply that what all things I have to buy for thsi project?
      Nd plzz explain me circuit little deeply.
      Due to lack of time almost always
      my house tank remain empty 😭,so sir plzz help

      Reply
      • Swagatam says

        Hello Manish,

        I have updated the parts list in detail, under the respective diagrams.
        The explanation is already given in the above article, if you are not able to understand anything specific, please let me know I’ll try to clarify it.

        Reply



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