• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Homemade Circuit Projects

Get free circuit help 24/7

  • 1000+ Circuits
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Videos – Circuit Test Results
You are here: Home / Motor Controller / Electronic Load Controller (ELC) Circuit

Electronic Load Controller (ELC) Circuit

Last Updated on March 3, 2020 by Swagatam 68 Comments

The post explains a simple electronic load controller or governor circuit which automatically regulates and controls the rotational speed of a hydro-electric generator system by adding or deducting an array of dummy loads. The procedure ensures a stabilized voltage and frequency output for the user. The idea was requested by Mr. Aponso

Technical Specifications:

Thanks for reply and I was out of country for two weeks. Thanks for info and timer circuit is working very fine now.
Case II , I need electronic Load Controller(ELC)My hydro power plant is 5 kw single phase 220V and 50Hz and need to control excess power using ELC. Please give reliable circuit for my requirement
Aponso

The Design

If you are one of those lucky people who have a free flowing creek, river stream or even an active small water fall near your backyard, you can very well think of converting it into free electricity simply by installing a mini hydro generator in path of the water flow, and access free electricity for lifetime.

However the main problem with such systems is the speed of the generator which directly affects its voltage and frequency specs.

Here, the rotational speed of the generator depends on two factors, the power of the water flow and the load connected with the generator. If any of these alter, the speed of the generator too alters causing an equivalent decrease or increase in its output voltage and frequency.

As we all know that for many appliances are such as refrigerators, ACs, motors, drill machines, etc voltage and frequency can be crucial and may be directly related to their efficiency, thus any change in these parameters cannot be taken lightly.

In order to tackle the above situation so that the voltage and the frequency both are maintained within tolerable limits, an ELC or electronic load controller is normally employed with all hydro power systems.

Since controlling water flow cannot be a feasible option, controlling load in a calculated manner becomes the only way out for the above discussed issue.

This is in fact rather straightforward, it's all about employing a circuit which monitors the voltage of the generator and switches ON or OFF a few dummy loads which in turn control and compensate for the increase or decrease in the speed of the generator.

Two simple electronic load controller (ELC) circuits are discussed below (designed by me) which can be easily built at home and used for the proposed regulation of any mini hydro power station. Let's learn their operations with the following points:

ELC Circuit using IC LM3915

The first circuit which uses a couple of cascaded LM3914 or LM3915 ICs are basically configured as a 20 step voltage detector driver circuit.

A varying 0 to 2.5V DC input at its pin#5 produces an equivalent sequential response across the 20 outputs of the two ICs, starting from LED#1 to LED#20, meaning at 0.125V, the first LED lights up. while as the input reaches 2.5V, the 20th LED lights up (all LEDs lit up).

Anything in between results in toggling of the corresponding intermediate LED outputs.

Let's assume the  generator to be with 220V/50Hz specs, means the lowering its speed would result in lowering of the specified voltage as well as the frequency, and vice versa.

In the proposed first ELC circuit, we reduce the 220V to the required low potential DC via a resistor divider network and feed pin#5 of the IC such that the first 10 LEDs (LED#1 and rest of the blue points) just illuminate.

Now these LED pinouts (from LED#2 to LED#20) are also attached with individual dummy loads via individual mosfet drivers, in addition to the domestic load.

The domestic useful loads are connected via a relay on LED#1 output.

In the above condition it assures that at 220V while all the domestic loads are in use, 9 additional dummy loads also illuminate, and compensate to produce the required 220V @50Hz.

Now suppose the speed of the generator tends to rise above the 220V mark, this would influence pin#5 of the IC which would correspondingly switch the LEDs marked with red dots (from LED#11 and upwards).

As these LEDs are switched ON, the corresponding dummy loads get added to the fray thereby squeezing the speed of the generator such that it gets restored to its normal specs, as this happens the dummy loads are again switched OFF in back sequence, this goes on self-adjusting such that the speed of the motor never exceeds the normal ratings.

Next, suppose the motor speed tends to decreases due to lower water flow power, LEDs marked with blue start shutting off sequentially (starting from LED#10 and downward), this reduces the dummy loads and in turn relieves the motor from excess load thereby restoring its speed toward the original point, in the process the loads tend to switch ON/OFF sequentially in order to maintain the exact recommended speed of the generator motor.

The dummy loads may be selected as per user preference, and conditional specs. An increment of 200 watts on each LED output would probably be most favorable.

The dummy loads must be resistive in nature, such as 200 watt incandescent lamps or heater coils.

Circuit Diagram

ELC Circuit using PWM

The second option is rather very interesting and even more simpler. As can be seen in the given diagram, a couple of 555 ICs are used as a PWM generator which alters its mark/space ration in response to the correspondingly varying voltage level fed at pin#5 of IC2.

A well calculated high wattage dummy load is attached with a sole mosfet controller stage at pin#3 of IC#2.

As discussed in the above section, here too a lower sample DC voltage corresponding to 220V is applied at pin#5 of IC2 such that the dummy loads illuminations adjust with the domestic loads to hold the generator output within the 220V range.

Now suppose the rotational speed of the generator drifts towards the higher side, would create an equivalent rise in potential at pin#5 of IC2 which in turn would give rise to higher mark ratio to the mosfet, allowing it to conduct more current to the load.

With increase in the load current, the motor would find it harder to rotate thus settling down back to its original speed.

Exactly the opposite happens when the speed tends to drift toward lower levels, when the dummy load is weakened in order to pull up the speed of the motor to its normal specs.

A constant "tug-of-war" continues so that the speed of the motor never shifts too much from its required specifications.

The above ELC circuits can be used with all types of microhydro systems, watermill systems and also wind mill systems.

Now let's see how we can employ a similar ELC circuit for regulating the speed and frequency of a windmill generator unit. The idea was requested by Mr. Nilesh Patil.

Technical Specifications

I am Great fan of your Electronic circuits and Hobby to create it. Basically i'm from rural area where 15 hours power cut off problem we facing every year

Even if i go for to buy inverter that is also not get charged due to power failure.

I have created wind mill generator (In Very Cheap Cost ) from that will support to charge 12 v battery.

For the same i m looking to buy wind mill charge turbine Controller that is too costly.

So planned to create our own if have suitable design from you

Generator Capacity  : 0 - 230 AC Volt

input 0 - 230 v AC  (Vary depends on wind speed)

output : 12 V DC (sufficient boost up current).

Overload / Discharge / Dummy Load handling

Can you please suggest or help me to develop it and required component & PCB from you

I May required many same circuit once succeed.

The Design

The design requested above can be implemented simply by using a step down transformer and a LM338 regulator as already discussed in many of my posts earlier.

The circuit design explained below is not relevant to the above request, rather addresses a much complex issue in situations where a windmill generator is used for operating AC loads assigned with mains 50Hz or 60Hz frequency specifications.

How an ELC Works

An electronic load controller is a device which frees or chokes up the speed of an associated electricity generator motor by adjusting the switching of a group of dummy or dump loads connected parallel with the actual usable loads.

The above operations become necessary because the concerned generator may be driven by an irregular, varying source such as a flowing water from a creek, river, waterfall or through wind.

Since the above forces could vary significantly depending upon the associated parameters governing their magnitudes, the generator could also be forced to increase or decrease its speed accordingly.

An increase in speed would mean an increase in voltage and frequency which in turn could be subjected to the connected loads, causing undesirable effects and damage to the loads.

Adding Dump Loads

By adding or deducting external loads (dump loads) across the generator, its speed could be effectively countered against the forced source energy such that the generator speed is maintained approximately to the specified levels of frequency and voltage.

I have already discussed a simple and effective electronic load controller circuit in one of my previous posts, the present idea is inspired from it and is quite similar to that design.

The figure below shows how the proposed ELC may be configured.

The heart of the circuit is the IC LM3915 which is basically a dot/bar LED driver used for displaying variations in the fed analogue voltage input through sequential LED illuminations.

The above function of the IC has been exploited here for implementing the ELC functions.

The generator 220V is first stepped down to 12V DC through a step down transformer and is used for powering the electronic circuit consisting the IC LM3915 and the associated network.

This rectified voltage is also fed to pin#5 of the IC which is the sensing input of the IC.

Generating Proportionate Sensing Voltages

If we assume the 12V from the transformer to be proportionate with 240V from the generator, implies that if the generator voltage rises to 250V would increase the 12V from the transformer proportionately to:

12/x = 240/250

x = 12.5V

Similarly if the generator voltage drops to 220V would proportionately drop the transformer voltage to:

12/x = 240/220
x = 11V

and so on.

The above calculations clearly show that the RPM, frequency and voltage of the generator are extremely linear and proportionate to each other.

In the proposed electronic load controller circuit design below, the rectified voltage fed to pin#5 of the IC is adjusted such that with all the usable loads switched ON, only three dummy loads: lamp#1, lamp#2 and lamp#3 are allowed to remain switched ON.

This becomes a  reasonably controlled set up for the load controller, of course the adjustment variations range could be set up and adjusted to different magnitudes depending upon the users preferences and specifications.

This may be done by randomly adjusting the given preset at pin#5 of the IC or by using different sets of loads across the 10 outputs of the IC.

Setting up the ELC

Now with the above mentioned set-up let's assume the generator to be running at 240V/50Hz with the first three lamps in the IC sequence switched ON, and also all the external usable loads (appliances) switched ON.

Under this situation if a few of the appliances are switched OFF would relieve the generator from some load resulting in an increase in its speed, however the increase in the speed would also create an proportionate increase in voltage at pin#5 of the IC.

This will prompt the IC to switch ON its subsequent pinouts in the order thereby switching ON may be lamp#4,5,6 and so on until the speed of the generator is choked up in order to sustain the desired assigned speed and frequency.

Conversely, suppose if the generator speed tends to sow down due to degrading source energy conditions would prompt the IC to switch OFF lamp#1,2,3 one by one or a few of them in order to prevent the voltage from falling below the set, correct specifications.

The dummy loads are all terminated sequentially via  PNP buffer transistor stages and the subsequent NPN power transistor stages.

All the PNP transistors are 2N2907 while the NPN are TIP152, which could be replaced with N-mosfets such as IRF840.

Since the above mentioned devices work only with DC, the generator output is suitably converted to DC via 10amp diode bridge for the required switching.

The lamps could be 200 watt rated, 500 watt rated or as preferred by the user, and the generator specs.

Circuit Diagram

So far we learned an effective electronic load controller circuit using a sequential multiple dummy load switcher concept, here we discuss a much simpler design of the same using a triac dimmer concept and with a single load.

What's a Dimmer Switch

A dimmer switch device is something we all are familiar with and can see them installed in our homes, offices, shops, malls etc.

A dimmer switch is a mains operated electronic device which can be used for controlling an attached load such as lights and fans simply by varying an associated variable resistance called a pot.

The control is basically done by a triac which is forced to switch with an induced time delay frequency such that it remains ON only during a fraction of the AC half cycles.

This switching delay is proportionate with the adjusted pot resistance and changes as the pot resistance is varied.

Thus if the pot resistance is made low, the triac is allowed to conduct for a longer time interval across the phase cycles which allows more current to pass through the load, and this in turn allows the load to activate with more power.

Conversely if the pot resistance is reduced, the triac is restricted to conduct proportionately for a much smaller section of the phase cycle, making the load weaker with its activation.

In the proposed electronic load controller circuit the same concept is applied, however here the pot is replaced with an opto coupler made by concealing an LED/LDR assembly inside a  light proof sealed enclosure.

Using Dimmer Switch as ELC

The concept is actually pretty simple:

The LED inside the opto is driven by a proportionately dropped voltage derived from the generator output, meaning the LED brightness now is dependent on the voltage variations of the generator.

The resistance which is responsible for influencing the triac conduction is substituted by the LDR inside the opto assembly, meaning the LED brightness levels now becomes responsible for adjusting the triac conduction levels.

Initially, the  ELC circuit is applied with a voltage from the generator running at 20% more speed than its correct specified rate.

A reasonably calculated dummy load is attached in series with the ELC, and P1 is adjusted such that the dummy load slightly illuminates and adjusts the generator speed and frequency to the correct level as per the required specs.

This is executed with all the external appliances in a switched ON position, that may be associated with the generator power.

The above implementation sets up the controller optimally for tackling any discrepancy created in the speed of the generator.

Now suppose, if a few of the appliances are switched OFF, this would create a low pressure on the generator forcing it to spin faster and generate more electricity.

However this would also force the LED inside the opto to grow proportionately brighter, which in turn would decrease the LDR resistance, thereby forcing the triac to conduct more and drain the excess voltage through the dummy load proportionately.

The dummy load which is obviously an incandescent lamp could be seen glowing relatively brighter in this situation, draining the extra power generated by the generator and restoring the generator speed to its original RPM.

Circuit Diagram

Parts List for the single dummy load, electronic load controller circuit

  • R1 = 15K,
  • R2 = 330K
  • R3 = 33K
  • R4 = 47K 2 WATT
  • R5 = 47 OHMS
  • P1 = 100K 1 WATT PRESET
  • C1 = 0.1uF/1KV
  • C2,c3 = 0.047uF/250V
  • OPTO = ASSEMBLY OF WHITE HIGH BRIGHT 5MM LED, AND A SUITABLE LDR
  • L1 = 100mH, 20 AMP FERRITE CORE INDUCTOR
  • DUMMY LOAD = 2000 WATT LAMP
  • DC= DIAC DB-3 BIG
  • TR1 = TRIAC BTA41/600



Previous: I/V Tracker Circuit for Solar MPPT Applications
Next: Maintenance Tips for Lead Acid Battery

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!

You'll also like:

  • 1.  Single Phase Voltage from Three Phase Voltage Source
  • 2.  Footstep Activated LED Trouser Light Circuit
  • 3.  5 Useful Motor Dry Run Protector Circuits Explained
  • 4.  SMS Based Water Supply Alert System
  • 5.  Constant Torque Motor Speed Controller Circuit
  • 6.  Make this Amplifier Power Meter Circuit

Please Subscribe (Only if you are Genuinely Interested in our Newsletters)


 

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Your Comments are too Valuable! But please see that they are related to the above article, and are not off-topic! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Search Related Posts for Commenting

  2. Jeremy Hines says

    Hi Swagatam,
    Would this work as a programmable AC dump load controller such that I would be able to utilize a grid tied inverter as it will push as much current as is possible given electrical input from photo voltaic panels?

    My understanding is that voltage will rise if no current is consumed. From what I have seen online it appears this is what a guy used to bring his micro inverters out of “island” mode when he is not connected to the grid (Here is a video on AC dump load youtube.com/watch?v=XA-4NkE6lBw).

    In his case he was using for backup power, in my case I do not have the option of connecting to the grid, but I already own a 10kw string inverter (grid tied inverter). I would like to be able to use the inverter I already own and dumping excess energy like this seems it would work.

    His explanation of the AC dump load he built accomplishes the same as your circuit, but his uses much more expensive and complicated components. I had figured on using (12) 1,000 Watt 240V halogen lamps in lamp holders wired in parallel for the dump load for the PWM at the end of the article.

    I think using a larger triac is necessary as the entire load could be up to 60 amps (I think the triac listed has a maximum of 40a continuous). Do I need to go with a larger diac? I’m not sure I completely understand that part of the circuit.
    Thanks,
    Jeremy

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Hi Jeremy,

      the dump load circuit doesn’t need to be complex at all. The easiest one could be implemented just with a zener diode and a triac or a MOSFET, as discussed here:

      Simple Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Generator Circuit

      The last circuit in the above article is also a good option, but it is a bit complex and optimizing could be time consuming.

      Another option is to use op amps to get accurate cut-off thresholds, a discussed in the following article:

      Solar Water Heater Circuit with Battery Charger

      Solar Charge Controller for 100 Ah Battery

      Reply
  3. Ludwig Van Wonterghem says

    Hi Swagatam,

    Thank you for the very interesting article on ECL.
    I have a similar problem as with the turbine or wind turbine, but not quite the same problem. I am completely off-grid with my house thanks to a pellet boiler, Stirling engine and batteries. The inverter that converts the battery voltage to AC sometimes finds it difficult to keep the frequency at 50Hz when the load varies greatly. As a result, the ENS controller of the Stirling gives an error and stops the electricity production. How could I attenuate power fluctuations when switching large consumers on and off ?
    Thank you in advance for your help and thinking along.

    Kind regards,

    Ludwig

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Hi Ludwig, the problem is with your inverter circuit which might me operating without a crystal controlled oscillator. So you may have to either modify the inverter circuit with a crystal controlled oscillator, or change the inverter entirely with a new one with a constant frequency output.

      Reply
  4. jose luis alegria bocangel says

    very good what you do, I am from Peru I am a beginner in this area. I wanted to ask you about the second ELC proposed – No type of software or programming with C language like that of other authors is downloaded

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Thank you very much, sorry the designs are using discrete parts they are not microcontroller based, so program code is not available.

      Reply
  5. Pudu says

    Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I am a hobbyist and wanted to make one for my personal use. I would prefer for pwm controller using microcontroller and traic isolated by optocoupler. It circuitry becomes simpler as one big dump load can replace multiple dummies. Please share links if you have shared any article using microcontroller for the same project.

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Sorry, I do not have an uC based design, however a simple PWM based design is already given at the end of the article.

      Reply
  6. Charith says

    Dear Sir,
    I have a hydro having 75KW ELC. now it is not functioning correctly. it is Chinese ZFT-II model. Pls support me to repair it. I t has a heater bath as well. thanking u..

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Dear Charith, without seeing and studying the schematic it can be difficult to understand the fault.

      Reply
      • Charith says

        Schemetics are not available now..this is old unit..pls support. It is 75KW ELC with a heater bath

        Reply
        • Swagatam says

          Hi Charith, without seeing the circuit how will I know which part might have got damaged?

          Reply
  7. Nyavor says

    I have design this circuit, it works for sometime and stop can you help me with more explanation and details of this circuit. Thank you

    Reply
    • Swag says

      Please specify your question, I’ll try to help.

      Reply
      • Nyavor says

        After connecting my circuit to the gird… and decrease my consumer load for the first instance. The load”bulb’ flicked but then trying for the second time it cease When i first connect decrease load and the load was on the entire time. What is the real value of those 100E resistors and do you think I replace the 1K potentiometer with a bigger one?

        Reply
        • Swag says

          By “grid” I hope you mean to say the hydro power supply?
          I cannot see any 100 ohm resistor in the first diagram, are you referring to the second diagram? If it is the second diagram, 100E refers to 100 Ohms…the 1K preset preferably should not be changed to any other value, at the most it can changed to 4k7 ….

          try changing the 100 ohms at pin#7 of IC1 to 1K for better reliability

          but yes the associated BC547 must be a Darlington type, meaning try using two BC547 in a Darlington form and place it at the shown position (near pin#5 of IC2)

          Reply
  8. Unknown says

    Hi Swagatam,
    I am doing an the same Electronic Load Controller project but with 300KW load. Can you please suggest me changes to the above circuit or a new circuit?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Hi, you can use the same designs for your application, no changes would be required except the mosfet rating and the preset optimization.

      an even easier option can be studied in the following article

      https://homemade-circuits.com/2016/04/simple-vertical-axis-wind-turbine.html

      Reply
  9. Swagatam says

    sorry that cannot be possible, if the motor speed itself is below the intended limit, then there's no way it could be rectified, unless some smart circuit is employed

    Reply
  10. Ravi Kumar says

    sir
    can you give you the pcb of the circuit which uses lm3914ics in a single board

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Ravi, sorry PCB is not available at the moment.

      Reply
  11. Ravi Kumar says

    Hi
    if i connect the first three circuits or uses the second option of 555 timer ic ….which circuit will give the most accurate result???

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Hi, the last circuit looks more advanced and compact, you can it try it

      Reply
  12. Johan Ferreira says

    Dear Sir thanks for this very nice circuit,The second option ELC
    I have some questions. How do you power the +12vdc side?
    The diode AC Mains Have earth on the left side is that correct?
    On the AC Mains input is that from the Hydro gen Line and Neutral?

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Dear Johan, you can get the 12V by using 0-12V/220V transformer and connecting it with the hydro generator output. The 12V AC will need to be rectified using a separate bridge rectifier and capacitor.

      the indicated bridge rectifier is for the mosfet load and needs to be made using high power diodes, and yes its left side should be connected with the negative of the circuit, or the mosfet source pin.

      the AC input is from the hydro AC

      Reply
  13. Shibil Mohammed says

    can you help me to design a governing circuit that controls the speed of turbine by water flow regulation???

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      controlling water flow can be quite complex, a better idea is to control the motor speed by shunting its excess current

      Reply
  14. Michael Ghee says

    Would the second ELC design with the IC 555 timer work when the generator is equipped with an Automatic Voltage Regulator?
    I suspect it would not since the voltage is kept constant by the AVR while the ELC design is expecting changes in voltage.

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      if the 555 section is powered with a feed directly from the alternator, then it would work, and anyway the above circuits are intended to work with the supply from the alternator directly.

      Reply
  15. umesh luitel says

    sir, i need c language programming code to make electronic load controller using ATMega32

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      presently I do not have it, if i get i'll surely let you know.

      Reply
  16. Mant7 says

    hello Swagatam,
    it's can used for generator with avr/automatic voltage egulator.

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      hello mant7,

      it is not recommended for diesel generators, it's suitable only for hydro generators.

      Reply
  17. Swagatam says

    ;;

    Reply
  18. Chandana Aponso says

    Dear Swagatam

    can u improve this ELC for few dummy loads

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Dear Chandana,

      for fewer dummy loads you can use a single LM3915 IC and configure it identically….you can refer to the datasheet of the IC for getting more info regarding its working principle…

      Reply
  19. Chandana Aponso says

    Hi

    I need your assistant to develop this frequency base and at least three dummy loads can you support me with out relays

    Cheers

    chandana

    Reply
  20. ankit barve says

    Hi swagatam thanks for amazing circuits.
    i have a question. the dump load can be normal incandescent bulbs of specific wattage. the dump load switching will be in steps for example 40W , 100W and so on. so there is possibility that voltage might not be exact 220V. how to obtain continuous variation in the dump load for exact 220V?

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Hi Ankit, the dump loads should be of equal wattage across all the outputs of the IC, the range of the system could be increased or decreased as per the specs either by equally increasing the lamp wattage and vice versa…for large hydro motors large bulbs could be used and for smaller motors smaller bulbs, and so on.

      this will ensure a constant voltage and frequency from the system.

      Reply
    • ankit barve says

      thank u swatagam. could u please send a more clear image of the circuit using ic 555 ?? because the values of all the components cannot be read out or else could you please provide me with the values individually? thank you.

      Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Ankit, please click on the diagram to get an enlarged view of it and the enclosed details….the BC547 for the PNP is wrongly printed, please use a BC557 instead.

      Reply
  21. Imsa Naga says

    Interesting circuit.
    I wish all your writeup as well as the schematics are made printable ! (pdf/rtf etc)

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      thanks, will try to present it in that form soon.

      Reply
  22. riyaz says

    Sir,

    The MOSFET IRF480 requires a gate voltage of 3.6V to trigger but the IC output is only 1.9V is there an alternative MOSFET that can be used? and also is there any alternative power diode that can replace 6A4 diodes. Thank you as always for your support.

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Riyaz, in that case you can replace the mosfet with a PNP transistor and relay stage. The relay contact can be wired with the dummy loads.
      If you don't want to use a relay then simply join the collector of the PNP with the gate of a N-mosfet (IRF540)….also dont forget to terminate the junction with a 1k resistor to ground.
      6A4 can be replaced by any 6amp diode or more.

      Reply
  23. riyaz says

    Sir',
    What is the type of load used in the MOSFET switching module? Is it ac or DC load? And what is the use of of the rectifier with the 6A4 diodes? What does the "bar" dot. Component do and signify.
    Thank you for your wonderful support

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      The load can be any resistive load, such as incandescent bulbs, heater coils etc.
      mosfets work with DC therefore supply is given through a bridge rectifier.
      bar mode produces the output sequence in the form of latched outputs, whereas the dot mode shuts the sequence as it proceeds along the output pin sequence

      Reply
  24. riyaz says

    sir,

    Whats the MOSFET used in the switching circuit?

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      you can use IRF840

      Reply
  25. Raja Banerjee says

    what is the use of 547 along with the zener at pin 6 and 7 (through 100 ohm resistor) at the 2nd 555 of the above elc ckt (last diagramme)?? please explain… thanks

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      it should be BC557 actually, it's for providing a constant current to the pin6/7 so that the IC can respond correctly even under varying voltages.

      Reply
  26. roger ceasar Mcfarland says

    Good day sir! sir may i ask a few questions about the ELC. sir why is that our ELC becomes load instead of dummy load?.when we connect the ELC to the micro hydro system, it consumes the power from the generator and only few power can reach the consumers…?thank you and God bless!!

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Good day Roger,

      It's probably the only feasible and simple method of keeping the motor speed and frequency constant irrespective of the varying waterfall force.

      Reply
  27. Swagatam says

    yes three different sections will need to be integrated together as per the given instruction….in fact each pin of the IC will include individual mosfet stages and the loads.

    Reply
  28. Swagatam says

    its output would be as good as a normal 220V domestic AC….

    Reply
  29. Swagatam says

    I could not understand your question, are you referring to a hydrogen powered generator??

    Reply
  30. Swagatam says

    all the information is given in the diagram itself, please check it again.

    the LM3915 circuit will require a 12V supply which can supplied through a standard ac/dc 12V adapter using a 0-12V/500ma transformer

    Reply
  31. Swagatam says

    the switch can be used for selecting bar mode or dot mode, in bar mode all leds in the relevant level will light up sequentially giving a rising bar like appearance, whereas in dot mode only one led will be lit at the the particular instantaneous level producing a dot like of indication.

    Reply
  32. Abhilash says

    The second picture the one with the domestic load didnt catch that where does that fit in?

    and what is the part in the first circuit Where it is written 'bar' and 'dot'

    Thanks a lot for support

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      the arrow head will go to the positive supply of the circuit, the base to the orange terminal of the IC (first terminal).

      the dot/bar selector is a DPDT switch.

      Reply
  33. Swagatam says

    pls click the diagram to enlarge, all the parts value could be seen in the diagram itself.

    Reply
  34. Swagatam says

    for feeding the input of the LM3915 you can calculate the required resistor deivider network with the help of any online "potential divider calculator" software.

    The load wattage selection will need to be done through trial and error and by experimentation.
    for the pwm circuit, apply 220V from the generator across the bridge and adjusted the 10K preset such that the dummy load adjusts to negotiate this voltage and doesn't drop this voltage any further.

    Reply
  35. arjun says

    Hi sir,
    I need a help in relation to my final year project.It is concerned with creating a micro model of a hydro power generation system.Is there any way to regulate the output voltage of an alternator according to a dip or fall in speed.is there any small alernator(12 v range) that i can use?

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Hi Arjun,

      You can use a bicycle dynamo for this project, and for the frequency control circuit you can try the first circuit provided in the above article.

      Reply
  36. Tushar Sharma says

    nice post sir !
    love it

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      You are welcome Tushar.

      Reply
  37. kesy says

    Hi Swagatam,

    am doing project on automatic temperature control system that uses both K type thermocouple and operational amplifiers in a greenhouse . am an engineering student. The circuit has an indicator when the temperature has risen above 29℃ or fallen below 27℃. can you please help me with the circuit and all.please…

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Hi Kesy,

      You can refer to the following post and take the help of the design for your application:

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

      Reply


  38. COMMENT BOX IS MOVED AT THE TOP


Primary Sidebar

Electronic Projects Categories

  • 3-Phase Power (15)
  • 324 IC Circuits (19)
  • 4017 IC Circuits (51)
  • 4060 IC Circuits (25)
  • 555 IC Circuits (92)
  • 741 IC Circuits (18)
  • Amplifiers (49)
  • Arduino Engineering Projects (82)
  • Audio Projects (83)
  • Battery Chargers (75)
  • Car and Motorcycle (87)
  • Datasheets (44)
  • Decorative Lighting (Diwali, Christmas) (31)
  • DIY LED Projects (81)
  • Electronic Components (96)
  • Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory (34)
  • Electronics Tutorial (99)
  • Fish Aquarium (5)
  • Free Energy (34)
  • Games (2)
  • GSM Projects (9)
  • Health Related (17)
  • Heater Controllers (23)
  • Home Electrical Circuits (98)
  • Incubator Related (6)
  • Industrial Electronics (25)
  • Infrared (IR) (39)
  • Inverter Circuits (94)
  • Laser Projects (10)
  • LM317/LM338 (21)
  • LM3915 IC (24)
  • Meters and Testers (52)
  • Mini Projects (152)
  • Motor Controller (64)
  • MPPT (7)
  • Oscillator Circuits (12)
  • PIR (Passive Infrared) (8)
  • Power Electronics (32)
  • Power Supply Circuits (64)
  • Radio Circuits (9)
  • Remote Control (46)
  • Security and Alarm (55)
  • Sensors and Detectors (115)
  • SG3525 IC (4)
  • Simple Circuits (72)
  • SMPS (30)
  • Solar Controllers (60)
  • Timer and Delay Relay (51)
  • TL494 IC (5)
  • Transformerless Power Supply (8)
  • Transmitter Circuits (36)
  • Ultrasonic Projects (12)
  • Water Level Controller (45)

Follow Homemade Circuits

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
My Facebook-Page
Quora

Feeds

Post RSS
Comment RSS

Circuit Calculators

  • AWG to Millimeter Converter
  • Battery Back up Time Calculator
  • Capacitance Reactance Calculator
  • IC 555 Astable Calculator
  • IC 555 Monostable Calculator
  • Inductance Calculator
  • LC Resonance Calculator
  • LM317, LM338, LM396 Calculator
  • Ohm’s Law Calculator
  • Phase Angle Phase Shift Calculator
  • Power Factor (PF) Calculator
  • Reactance Calculator
  • Small Signal Transistor(BJT) and Diode Quick Datasheet
  • Transistor Astable Calculator
  • Transistor base Resistor Calculator
  • Voltage Divider Calculator
  • Wire Current Calculator
  • Zener Diode Calculator

© 2021 · Swagatam Innovations

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok