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Simple Shadow Sensor Alarm Circuit

Last Updated on February 23, 2020 by Swagatam 12 Comments

This shadow detector circuit operates using two LDRs and effectively detects the difference between the light levels and triggers a loud audible warning siren.

In circuits which uses a single LDR (photoresist), the detection may not be as sharp as with two LDRs discussed here.Operational details of the shadow detector circuit may be studied as follows:

The key elements of this circuit are the two LDRs and the active operational amplifier, which functions as a comparator.

Circuit Operation

As may be seen in the diagram, the inputs of the opamp are carefully balanced using alternately positioned LDRs across the corresponding supply rails in conjunction with the respective resistors.

The two resistors may be possibly replaced with presets for getting a fine adjustment option and for ensuring an optimum balance and a perfect zero logic at the output of the opamp.

In normal light situations that is with no shadow detected (no shade) the two LDRs are able to receive the same amount of light across the sensing input of the opamp which renders a low logic level at the output of the IC.

In an event when one of the LDRs (for instance R1) experiences a shadow or less light than the other (R4), causes the voltage at the inverting input of opamp to go lower than in the non-inverting counterpart, causing the logic at the output of IC to switch to a high logic.

The above action activates transistor Q1, which in turn activates the LED and the relay. The LED allows to acquire a visual warning while the relay activates a siren device.

Preferably you may want to place a semiconductor diode (D1) in parallel with the relay, as shown in the diagram, to protect the transistor Q1 from the relay reverse EMFs.

Circuit Diagram

caution electricity can be dangerous

Things to be notes:
- The circuit is powered by 9 volt lead acid battery or any similar SMF battery.
- The LDRs should be placed with a separation of about 3cm. for an optimal response and to avoid incorrect triggering.

Parts list for the proposed shadow detector circuit

- 1 Operational amplifier: LM741 (IC1)
- 2 LDRs (photoresistor / LDR) (R1, R2)
- 1 NPN transistor 2N2222 or similar (Q1)
- 1 1N4007 diode (D1)
- 1 red LED diode (D2)
- 9 volt relay (RL1)
- Two 10K resistors (R3 and R4)
- 1 1K resistor (R5)
- 1 resistors 470 (R6)
- 1 100 nF capacitor (C1)

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About Swagatam

Swagatam is an electronic engineer, hobbyist, inventor, schematic/PCB designer, manufacturer. He is also the founder and the author of the website: https://www.homemade-circuits.com/, where he loves sharing his innovative circuit ideas and tutorials.
If you have any circuit related queries, you may interact through comments, and get guaranteed replies from the author.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. li perciro everest says

    June 23, 2022

    Please I want practical videos for students.

    thanks

    Reply
  2. Umer says

    April 27, 2021

    I want to ask that why the 100nF capacitor is used in this circuit? Is it a necessary component or we can ignore it to make our circuit functional?

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      April 27, 2021

      The C1 must be actually placed directly across the IC supply pins…it is used for cancelling the reverse voltage spikes generated due to the siren operation, and relay clicking…

      Reply
      • Umer says

        April 27, 2021

        Thank you very much for the kind help.

        Reply
        • Swagatam says

          April 27, 2021

          You are welcome…

          Reply
  3. Adam says

    August 18, 2020

    Please I will like a video to show me step by step in constructing Shadow Detector

    Reply
  4. adio kabiru says

    January 29, 2015

    can i use ic 555 timer in place of ic lm741,is it a must i use a relay

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      January 30, 2015

      two LDRs won't be possible with a 555

      Reply
    • Swagatam says

      January 30, 2015

      for a big siren, relay will be required

      Reply
  5. yasir ulhaq says

    January 28, 2015

    hello sir,
    your website is awsome. iam working on a project can you please post wifi signal detector circuit

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      January 29, 2015

      thanks yasir, presently I do not have it, i'll post it if I happen to get it….

      Reply
    • yasir ulhaq says

      January 29, 2015

      ok

      Reply

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