ELECTRONICS CIRCUIT DESIGN

LAB REPORT

WATER TANK ALARM USING

555 TIMER IC

Submitted in partially fulfilment of the requirements for the

degree of

Bachelor of Technology
in
Electronics and Communication Engineering
by

Pranjal Jalan (1709700076)

Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering

(B. Tech ECE – Accredited by NBA),
Galgotias College of Engineering and Technology, Greater Noida.
(Affiliated to Dr. A. P. J Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow)

January, 2021
 ABSTRACT

The drinking water crisis in India is reaching alarming proportions. It might very soon
attain the nature of global crisis. Hence, it is of extreme importance to preserve water.
In home based water tank, the one problem is very common to us that the control of
water level of overhead tank, as a result the wastage of water is increasing day by day.
But we all know water is very precious to us. This problem can be controlled by a
simple electronic circuit consists with some cheap electronic components, that circuit
is called ‘Water Level Indicator’. The operation of water level controller works upon
the fact that water conducts electricity. So water can be used to open or close a circuit.
As the water level rises or falls, different circuits in the controller send different
signals. These signals are used to switch ON or switch OFF the motor pump as per
our requirements.
Water Level Indicator is a simple low cost circuit. First we introduced this circuit
from the web. There the circuit is made with various components like transistors
(BC547.BC548) Resistors, LEDs and etc. After we discussed that how to make the
circuit without transistors and after we calculate that we got the result, beside we got
help from our teacher about this circuit. At last we got a simple circuit without
transistor and it shows result. We removed the transistors to make the circuit cheap
and easy installation to all. The other liquid control circuits, which we have seen those
are very critical than this circuit.
.
.

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Figure No. Title Page No.
1 Water Tank Alarm 6
2 Pin Diagram of 555 8
3 Internal Schematic of 555 IC’s 8
4 Schematic of Astable Multivibrator 11
5 OP-AMP 12
6 Resistor & It’s Symbol 14
7 Capacitor & It’s Symbol 15

LIST OF FIGURE

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 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

LED  Light Emitting Diode

IC Integrated Circuit
OP-AMP Operational Amplifier
VCC Voltage Common Collector
GND Ground

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 TITLE OF THE PROJECT
1. INTRODUCTION

A water over flow alarm may be defined as a system by which we can get the
information of any water reservoir. Water over flow alarm is quite useful to reduce
the wastage of water from any reservoir, while filling such reservoir. Water is most
essential thing on Earth. Safe drinking water is essential to human and other life forms
even though it provides no calories or organic nutriants. The total amount of water
available on Earth has been estimated at 1.4 billion cubic kilometers, enough to cover
the planet with a layer of about 3 km. About 95% of the Earth's water is in the oceans,
which is unfit for human consumption. About 4% is locked in the polar ice caps, and
the rest 1% constitutes all fresh water found in rivers, streams and lakes which is
suitable for our consumption. A study estimated that a person in India consumes an
average of 135 litres per day. This consumption would rise by 40% by the year 2025.
This signifies the need to preserve our fresh water resources [1].
However, some observers have estimated that by 2025 more than half of the world
population will be faced water based vulnearbility. The presence of water level
indicator in reservoir can help control wastage and water indeaquacy in such
reservoir. Water overflow alarm is used to show the level of water in an over head
tank, this keeps the user informed about the water level at all time avoids the situation
of water running out when it is most needed. Indicators circuits have also alarm
features. It not indicate amount of water present in overhead tank but also gives an
alarm when tank is full.
After assembling the system, what remains is to observe its operation and efficiency.
This can be done by breaking down the activity of the controller from the detection of
water to the working of the pump. We go over the responses obtained when water
reaches the sensors and the logic employed be-hind it. We also try to justify how a
system as simple as ours can compete with those available commercially
This simple, economical and versatile circuit switches on the motor pump when water
in the overhead tank falls below the lowest level and turns it ‘off’ when the tank is
full. Moreover, if the pump is running dry due to low voltage, it sounds an alarm to
alert you to switch off the controller circuit (and hence the motor pump) to avoid coil
burn and power wastage. The water over flow alarm circuit (see Fig.1) is built around
IC 555 (IC2) to monitor the water level in the overhead tank and ‘on’/‘off’ status of
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the motor through the inverter and driver circuits. The water level alarm circuit is a
simple mechanism to detect and indicate the level of water in the overhead tank and
also in the other containers [2]. Nowadays, all the householders/owners are storing the
water in overhead tanks by using the pumps. When the water is stored in the tank, no
one can identify the level of water and also, no one can know when the water tank
will fill. Hence there is an overflow of water in the tank, thus there is a wastage of
energy and water. To resolve this type of problems by using the water level alarm
circuit of a 555 timer it helps and indicated the level of water in the overhead tanks.
The cost of the water level alarm circuit low and its use full for the overhead water
tanks, swimming pool boilers, etc.. The water level alarm circuits are used in the
factories, chemical plants, and electrical substations and also in other liquid storage
systems [3].

2. CIRCUIT DESIGN

Fig.1 Water Tank Alarm [1]

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In this project, Water over flow alarm consists of following components

 555 IC’s

 Operational Amplifier (741 IC’s)

 Resistors (R1=1k, R2=22K, R3=0.57K, R4=1K)

 Capacitor (1uF)

 Buzzer

 Jumper

2.1 555 IC’s

The 555 timer IC is an integrated circuit (chip) used in a variety of timer, delay, pulse
generation, and oscillator applications. Derivatives provide two (556) or four (558)
timing circuits in one package.]It was commercialized in 1972 by Signetics and it was
reported to still be in wide use as of 2013. Numerous companies have made the
original bipolar timers and similar low-power CMOS timers too. In 2017, it was said
over a billion 555 timers are produced annually by some estimates, and "probably the
most popular integrated circuit ever made."
IC 555 timer is a well-known component in the electronic circles but what is not
known to most of the people is the internal circuitry of the IC and the function of
various pins present there in the IC. Let me tell you a fact about why 555 timer is
called so, the timer got its name from the three 5 kilo-ohm resistor in series employed
in the internal circuit of the IC [4].
IC 555 timer is a one of the most widely used IC in electronics and is used in various
electronic circuits for its robust and stable properties. It works as square-wave form
generator with duty cycle varying from 50% to 100%, Oscillator and can also provide
time delay in circuits. The 555 timer got its name from the three 5k ohm resistor
connected in a voltage-divider pattern which is shown in the figure below. A
simplified diagram of the internal circuit is given below for better understanding as
the full internal circuit consists of over more than 16 resistors, 20 transistors, 2 diodes,
a flip-flop and many other circuit components [5].

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The 555 timer comes as 8 pin DIP (Dual In-line Package) device. There is also a 556
dual version of 555 timer which consists of two complete 555 timers in 14 DIP and a
558 quadruple timer which is consisting of four 555 timer in one IC and is available
as a 16 pin DIP in the market [6].

Fig 2 Pin Diagram of 555 [2] IC’S

Fig 3 Internal Schematic of 555 IC’s [3]

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2.1.1 BASICS CONCEPTS:

Comparator: The Comparator are the basic electronic component which compares
the two input voltages i.e. between the inverting (-) and the non-inverting (+) input
and if the non-inverting input is more than the inverting input then the output of the
comparator is high. Also the input resistance of an ideal comparator is infinite.

Voltage Divider: As we know that the input resistance of the comparators is infinite
hence the input voltage is divided equally between the three resistors. The value being
Vin/3 across each resistor.

Flip/Flop: Flip/Flop is a memory element of Digital-electronics. The output (Q) of

the flip/flop is ‘high’ if the input at ‘S’ terminal is ‘high’ and ‘R’ is at ‘Low’ and the
output (Q) is ‘low’ when the input at ‘S’ is ‘low’ and at ‘R’ is high.

FUNCTION OF DIFFERENT PINS:-

1. Ground: This pin is used to provide a zero voltage rail to the Integrated circuit to
divide the supply potential between the three resistors shown in the diagram.
2. Trigger: As we can see that the voltage at the non-inverting end of the comparator
is Vin/3, so if the trigger input is used to set the output of the F/F to ‘high’ state by
applying a voltage equal to or less than V in/3 or any negative pulse, as the voltage at
the non-inverting end of the comparator is Vin/3.
 3. Output: It is the output pin of the IC, connected to the Q’ (Q-bar) of the F/F with
an inverter in between as show in the figure.
 4. Reset: This pin is used to reset the output of the F/F regardless of the initial
condition of the F/F and also it is an active low Pin so it connected to ‘high’ state to
avoid any noise interference, unless a reset operation is required. So most of the time
it is connected to the Supply voltage as shown in the figure.
5. Control Voltage: As we can see that the pin 5 is connected to the inverting input
having a voltage level of (2/3) Vin. It is used to override the inverting voltage to
change the width of the output signal irrespective of the RC timing network.
6. Threshold: The pin is connected to the non-inverting input of the first comparator.
The output of the comparator will be high when the threshold voltage will be more
than (2/3) Vin thus resetting the output (Q) of the F/F from ‘high’ to ‘low’ [7].
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7. Discharge: This pin is used to discharge the timing capacitors (capacitors involved
in the external circuit to make the IC behave as a square wave generator) to ground
when the output of Pin 3 is switched to ‘low’.
8. Supply: This pin is used to provide the IC with the supply voltage for the
functioning and carrying of the different operations to be fulfilled with the 555 timer.

USES:-
The IC 55 timer is used in many circuits, for example One-shot pulse generator in
Monostable mode as an Oscillator in Astable Mode or in Bistable mode to produce a
flip/flop type action. It is also used in many types of other circuit for achievement of
various purposes for instance Pulse Amplitude Modulatin (PAM), Pulse Width
Modulation (PWM) etc.
More about these circuits will be explained in the later tutorials.

2.1.2 ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR

Astable multivibrator is also called as Free Running Multivibrator. It has no stable

states and continuously switches between the two states without application of any
external trigger. The IC 555 can be made to work as an astable multivibrator with the
addition of three external components: two resistors (R1 and R2) and a capacitor (C).
It is free running oscillator which switches continuously between its two unstable
states. With no external signal applied, the transistors alternately switch from cutoff to
saturation state at a frequency determined by the RC time constants of the coupling
circuits. If these time constants are equal (R and C are equal) then a square wave will
be generated with a frequency of 1/1.4 RC. Hence astable multivibrator is called pulse
generator or square wave generator. The larger the value of base load R2 and R3 w.r.t
collector load R1 and R4, the larger is the current gain, and sharper will be the
waveform edge [8].
The basic principle of the Astable multivibrator is a slight variation in the electrical
properties or characteristics of the transistor. This difference causes one transistor turn
ON fast than the other when power is applied for the first time, thereby triggering
oscillations.
The schematic of the IC 555 as an astable multivibrator along with the three external
components is shown below.

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 Fig 4 Schematic of Astable Multivibrator [4]

The pins 2 and 6 are connected and hence there is no need for an external trigger
pulse. It will self trigger and act as a free running multivibrator. The rest of the
connections are as follows: pin 8 is connected to supply voltage (VCC). Pin 3 is the
output terminal and hence the output is available at this pin. Pin 4 is the external reset
pin. A momentary low on this pin will reset the timer. Hence when not in use, pin 4 is
usually tied to VCC.
The control voltage applied at pin 5 will change the threshold voltage level. But for
normal use, pin 5 is connected to ground via a capacitor (usually 0.01µF), so the
external noise from the terminal is filtered out. Pin 1 is ground terminal. The timing
circuit that determines the width of the output pulse is made up of R1, R2 and C.
Astable multivibrators are the multivibrators which have no stable state i.e. the
multivibrators in which the output continuously oscillates between two permissible
states. As a result, they produce square-wave at their output and are regarded to be
free-running in-nature. Further, these multivibrators do not require any kind of
external triggering, except the DC supply, due to which they fall under the category of
relaxation oscillators [4].

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2.2 OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIER (OP-AMP)

Operational Amplifiers, also known as Op-amps, are basically a voltage amplifying

device designed to be used with components like capacitors and resistors, between its
in/out terminals. They are essentially a core part of analog devices. Feedback
components like these are used to determine the operation of the amplifier. The
amplifier can perform many different operations (resistive, capacitive, or both), giving
it the name Operational Amplifier.

Fig 5 OP-AMP [5]

An Operational Amplifier, or op-amp for short, is fundamentally a voltage amplifying

device designed to be used with external feedback components such as resistors and
capacitors between its output and input terminals. These feedback components
determine the resulting function or “operation” of the amplifier and by virtue of the
different feedback configurations whether resistive, capacitive or both, the amplifier
can perform a variety of different operations, giving rise to its name of “Operational
Amplifier”.

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An Operational Amplifier is basically a three-terminal device which consists of two
high impedance inputs [10]. One of the inputs is called the Inverting Input, marked
with a negative or “minus” sign, ( – ). The other input is called the Non-inverting
Input, marked with a positive or “plus” sign ( + ).
Op-amps are linear devices that are ideal for DC amplification and are used often in
signal conditioning, filtering or other mathematical operations (add, subtract,
integration and differentiation).
The operational amplifier is arguably the most useful single device in analog
electronic circuitry. With only a handful of external components, it can be made to
perform a wide variety of analog signal processing tasks. It is also quite affordable,
most general-purpose amplifiers selling for under a dollar apiece. Modern designs
have been engineered with durability in mind as well: several “op-amps” are
manufactured that can sustain direct short-circuits on their outputs without damage.
One key to the usefulness of these little circuits is in the engineering principle of
feedback, particularly negative feedback, which constitutes the foundation of almost
all automatic control processes. The principles presented in this section, extend well
beyond the immediate scope of electronics. It is well worth the electronics student’s
time to learn these principles and learn them well.

2.3 RESISTOR

A resistor is a passive two-terminal electrical component that implements electrical

resistance as a circuit element. In electronic circuits, resistors are used to reduce
current flow, adjust signal levels, to divide voltages, bias active elements, and
terminate transmission transmission lines, among other uses. High-power resistors
that can dissipate many watts of electrical power as heat, may be used as part of motor
controls, in power distribution systems, or as test loads for generators. Fixed resistors
have resistances that only change slightly with temperature, time or operating voltage.
Variable resistors can be used to adjust circuit elements (such as a volume control or a
lamp dimmer), or as sensing devices for heat, light, humidity, force, or chemical
activity [12]. The resistor is a passive electrical component to create resistance in the
flow of electric current. In almost all electrical networks and electronic circuits they
can be found. The resistance is measured in ohms. An ohm is the resistance that
occurs when a current of one ampere passes through a resistor with a one volt drop

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across its terminals. The current is proportional to the voltage across the terminal
ends.

Fig 6 Resistor & It’s Symbol [5]

Resistors are common elements of electrical networks and electronic circuits and are

ubiquitous in electronic equipment. Practical resistors as discrete components can be
composed of various compounds and forms. Resistors are also implemented
within integrated circuits.The electrical function of a resistor is specified by its
resistance: common commercial resistors are manufactured over a range of more than
nine orders of magnitude [5]. The nominal value of the resistance falls within
the manufacturing tolerance, indicated on the component. Resistors are used for many
purposes. A few examples include delimit electric current, voltage division, heat
generation, matching and loading circuits, control gain, and fix time constants. They
are commercially available with resistance values over a range of more than nine
orders of magnitude. They can be used to as electric brakes to dissipate kinetic energy
from trains, or be smaller than a square millimeter for electronics.

2.4 CAPACITOR
The capacitor is a component which has the ability or “capacity” to store energy in the
form of an electrical charge producing a potential difference (Static Voltage) across its
plates, much like a small rechargeable battery.

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There are many different kinds of capacitors available from very small capacitor
beads used in resonance circuits to large power factor correction capacitors, but they
all do the same thing, they store charge.
In its basic form, a capacitor consists of two or more parallel conductive (metal)
plates which are not connected or touching each other, but are electrically separated
either by air or by some form of a good insulating material such as waxed paper,
mica, ceramic, plastic or some form of a liquid gel as used in electrolytic capacitors.
The insulating layer between a capacitors plates is commonly called the Dielectric.
Due to this insulating layer, DC current can not flow through the capacitor as it blocks
it allowing instead a voltage to be present across the plates in the form of an electrical
charge [14].

Fig 7 Capacitor & It’s Symbol [6]

The conductive metal plates of a capacitor can be either square, circular or

rectangular, or they can be of a cylindrical or spherical shape with the general shape,
size and construction of a parallel plate capacitor depending on its application and
voltage rating.
When used in a direct current or DC circuit, a capacitor charges up to its supply
voltage but blocks the flow of current through it because the dielectric of a capacitor
is non-conductive and basically an insulator. However, when a capacitor is connected
to an alternating current or AC circuit, the flow of the current appears to pass straight
through the capacitor with little or no resistance.

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There are two types of electrical charge, a positive charge in the form of Protons and a
negative charge in the form of Electrons. When a DC voltage is placed across a
capacitor, the positive (+ve) charge quickly accumulates on one plate while a
corresponding and opposite negative (-ve) charge accumulates on the other plate. For
every particle of +ve charge that arrives at one plate a charge of the same sign will
depart from the -ve plate.
Then the plates remain charge neutral and a potential difference due to this charge is
established between the two plates. Once the capacitor reaches its steady state
condition an electrical current is unable to flow through the capacitor itself and
around the circuit due to the insulating properties of the dielectric used to separate the
plates.

3. WORKING/ PRINCIPLE

The circuit uses a 555 timer in astable mode with R1=22k ohms, R2= 570 ohms and
C1=1 uF. The frequency of the given astable circuit is around 62 Hz.
The two probes ( M1 and M2) which are shown in the circuit should be kept at the
high level and low level for the water. The distance between the probes should be less
than a few centimetres to ensure that the conduction between the probes will take
place when water is touched to these probes.
When the water level rises to the height of the probe M2, then the 555 circuit will get
enabled and the output of the 555 timer produces a square wave output with a
frequency of about 62 Hz. This output is given to the buzzer.
The logic Implemented in this circuit is, 555 timer is enabled when its reset pin is
connected to logic high. But initially it is connected to ground. When the water level
is maximum this pin is enabled and this drives the 555 timer into astable mode [8]. 

4. RESULTS
This work brings in technology into the house by mechanizing of household
requirements, which make the work of water storage system much easier and
convenient over handling. The overall system has a great impact in the prevention of
water wastage more effective than the manual work.
The most important merits of the system are:
(i) The conservation of water resource

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(ii) Manual effort reduction
(iii) Time to time alters over the status water storage.

5 ADVANTAGES

 Very less maintenance,

 Very low cost,

 Very simple construction

 The circuit involved is also relatively simpler

 It can be easily made at home

6 MARKET POTENTIAL

Market Potential of this water overflow alarm is very high for following reason.

6.1 SIMPLE CIRCUIT

This water level indicator consists with a simple circuit. It is so simple to install and
it’s so much easy to use.

6.2 LOW COST

The equipments required for this circuit are readily available in the market and of very
low value.

6.3 LOW VOLTAGE CONSUMPTION

The circuit does not need any AC auxilliary supply, it operates on DC voltage source
(9 V DC). Thus it is a very low consumption circuit.

6.4 POLLUTION CONTROL

Process Involved in the manufacturing of this item does not have any effect on
environment

7. APPLICATIONS
 Water overflow alarm can be used in Hotels, Factories, Homes, Apartments,
Commercial complexes, Drainage, etc.

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 Water overflow alarm in the huge container companies on the tank walls.

 The pumps used in the water level indicator are single phase motor,
submersible motor, and in three phase motor.
 Automatically the pump will switch ON/OFF when the water level in the tank
is empty and full.
 We can also measure the fuel level in motor vehicles
 The liquid level containers are huge in the companies

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 CONCLUSION

The water overflow alarm employs a simple mechanism to detect the water level in an
over head tank or any other water container. The sensing is done by using a set of two
probes which are placed at the top level of water tank.
We can conclude that this system is very beneficial in rural as well as urban areas. It
helps in the efficient utilization of available water sources.
If used on a large scale, it can provide a major contribution in the conservation of
water for us and the future generations.
This work brings in technology into the house by mechanizing of household
requirements, which make the work of water storage system much easier and
convenient over handling. The overall system has a great impact in the prevention of
water wastage more effective than the manual work.
In these days, when the Earth's reserve of consumable water is decreasing every
moment, every drop has its value.
Water over flow alarm is a simple yet effective way to prevent wastage of water. Its
simplicity in design and low cost components make it an ideal piece of technology for
the common man.

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8. Jiang Wei, "Intelligent Building Control of Water Tank Based on Fuzzy
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