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Simple Water Level

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Last Updated on January 8, 2024 by Swagatam (https://www.homemade-
circuits.com/about/)

A water level indicator is an electronic circuit which indicates the various

levels of water inside a tank. This happens when rising or dropping water
levels come in contact with the respective water sensors arranged step wise
inside the water tank at different depths.

In this post we discuss 2 interesting ways to make simple water level

indicator circuits using transistors, CMOS NOT Gates and some LEDs, the
later section of the articles also discusses how to upgrade the circuit with a
relay.

Circuit Objective
There are many posts in this blog which essentially explain water level
controller (https://www.homemade-circuits.com/how-to-make-simple-water-
level/) circuits, with the specific intentions of switching the involved motor
pump when the tank fills up.

However there are folks who just require an indication of the different levels
of water in the tank rather than have an automatic shut off facility.
For a Wireless Water Level Indicator you can Refer to This Article (https://
www.homemade-circuits.com/ultrasonic-wireless-water-level-indicator-using-
arduino-solar-powered/)

1) Using Transistors
We know that undistilled water conducts electricity, although with some
resistance. The resistance may be anywhere from 100K to 500K, depending
on the purity level of the water. This property can be effectively used for
switching transistors ON/OFF.

We use this characteristic of water to switch the base of a series of BJTs

sequentially as the water level goes up and down across the sensors
attached with the respective transistor bases.

READ MORE: Industrial Tank water fill/drain controller Circuit

(https://www.homemade-circuits.com/industrial-tank-water-filldrain/)

A simple circuit for this can be visualized below:

Video Illustration
(https://youtu.be/MO8eUA0jP1c)
The idea is as simple as it can be. The positive terminal of the supply can be
seen immersed at the lowest level of the tank, so that water is in contact with
this positive even at the lowest level. The bases of the respective transistors
are arranged sequentially across the water tank depth, such that when the
water fills the tank, it sequentially connects the positive supply with the
relevant BJT bases through the rising water level.

When this happens the transistors begin getting biased one by one,
illuminating the collector LEDs in the same sequence. When the water
reaches the full level, the buzzer is immediately sounded by the topmost
BC547.

This helps the user to get a clear idea of the water level, and also when the
water has reached the overflowing level.

Parts List
All resistors are 1/4 watt 5%

• 1K = 3 nos
• 100 Ohm = 3 nos
• BC547 = 3 nos
• Piezo Buzzer = 1 no
• RED LEDs = 3 nos

2) Using CMOS NOT Gates

The proposed water level circuit idea is specifically suited for the above type
of readers who are satisfied with the indications only and want to do the
shutting part of the motor manually as per the readings of the indicator and
as per the desired water levels in the tank.
 inverters, meaning they will invert any voltage level at their input pins to
exactly the opposite level at their output pin.
3. So if a positive is applied to the input, the output would instantly produce
a negative and vice versa.
4. The high input impedance of CMOS gates makes sure that potential
even with very low currents are suitably sensed and interpreted by them.
5. The idea is simple, the ground or the negative voltage (point 0 in the
figure) is held at the bottom most part of the tank, such that the water
reaches this point first up when it starts filling.
6. As the water level goes higher, it subsequently comes in contact with the
inputs of the NOT gates arranged serially upwards.
7. The negative voltage stationed at the bottom of the tank leaks through
the water and comes in contact with the relevant inputs of the gates.
8. This negative potential applied at the subsequent inputs of the gates
means a production of an opposite voltage, that is a positive potential at
their outputs, that's what exactly happens.
9. The positive voltage thus generated lights up the concerned LEDs,
indicating which input of the gate at what level has come in contact with
the rising water level.
10. The sensor wire terminals from the circuit in the form of the points 0 to 6
may be arranged over a non conducting stick made up of plastic with
brass screw heads fitted as the sensor termination.
11. The LED illuminations give a direct indication of the water levels, as
these are stationed with calibrated positions in the tank (see circuit
diagram)

READ MORE: Cheap Semi Automatic, Tank Water Over Flow Controller Circuit

(https://www.homemade-circuits.com/cheap-semi-automatic-tank-
water-over/)
The pin out diagram of the IC

Simulation: A rough simulation of the discussed water level indicator circuit is

shown below. We can see how the LEDs light up sequentially in response to
the increasing water level coming in contact with the respective sensor points
inside the water tank
Part List.

• All LED resistors are 470 Ohms,

• All gate input resistors are 2M2
• All capacitors are 0.1 disc ceramic.
• All the gates are CMOS NOT Gates
• All LEDs are red 5mm, or as preferred by the maker.

Practical Tested Prototype

The above circuit was successfully built and tested by Mr. E.Rama
Murthy who is one of the regular and dedicated readers of this blog. The
following pictures of the built prototype were sent by him, let's investigate the
results closely.
 (https://
www.homemade-circuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Step1.jpg)

(https://
www.homemade-circuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/step2.jpg)
 (https://
www.homemade-circuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/step3.jpg)

(https://
www.homemade-circuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/step4.jpg)
 (https://www.homemade-circuits.com/
wp-content/uploads/2012/01/step5.jpg)

(https://
www.homemade-circuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/step6.jpg)
 (https://
www.homemade-circuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/step7.jpg)

(https://
www.homemade-circuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/step8.jpg)
 (https://
www.homemade-circuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/step9.jpg)

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 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
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99 COMMENTS Newest 

Vee  10 months ago

Hi Swagatham
This is Vee I want to make a water level switch which would switch on a relay and in turn
switch on a solenoid to open a water line to fill a small tank when the level goes down, How
many amps would a reed switch handle to activate a 5 volt relay
Please send me the circuit to my email also,
Thank you Swagatham and all the best & God bless you
  Reply to Vee
Hi Val,
You can get the circuit diagram in the following video:
https://youtu.be/u9xWVH-NENo (https://youtu.be/u9xWVH-NENo)
A reed switch can easily handle upto 200 mA current, so no problem with the 5 V relay.

Reply

Binoj K  1 year ago

Hi sir, I’m using the simple water level indicator circuit with transistors (bc 547) as given in
this post. I have added a buzzer as the last stage of sensing at which I will be able to stop
the motor manually. But problem is that the sensing wires corrode after some days and
buzzer sounds very feeble. I got a float switch but it is ‘Normally Closed’ one. Pls let me
know how to use this ‘NC’ float switch using transistor(pnp or npn) for indicating the
uppermost level giving a buzzer sound.

Reply

Author

Swagatam  1 year ago

 Reply to Binoj K
Hi Binoj, I guess you are referring to a normally closed (N/C) reed switch? For an N/C
reed switch you can try implementing the following transistor configuration:

Reply

Binoj K  1 year ago

 Reply to Swagatam
Ys it’s now perfectly working sir..Great deal with you and your invaluable articles…
 Swagatam  1 year ago

 Reply to Binoj K
Thanks Binoj, Glad it worked!

Reply

Victor Godwin  2 years ago

Sir please can i have the literature review of the water level indicator?

Reply

Author

Swagatam  2 years ago

 Reply to Victor Godwin

Victor, I wish I could do it for you, however due to lack of time it is difficult for me to
create a literature review at this moment of time.

Reply

Abdul Majeed  2 years ago

Can I use 12v dc to this circuit instead of 9v dc shown

To have heigh beep sound what type of buzzer is to be used

Reply

Author

Swagatam  2 years ago

 Reply to Abdul Majeed

yes 12V can be used. A normal piezo buzzer used in automobile flashers will be good
enough

Reply

M. Abdul Majeed  2 years ago

 Reply to Swagatam
In our circuit we have used BC148 npn 220 ohms insted of 100ohm in your circuit.
Kindly clarify 12v dc can be given in place of 9v dc as 12v readly available solar
battery

Reply

Author

Swagatam  2 years ago

 Reply to M. Abdul Majeed

Can you tell me why did you put LEDS at collector terminal? And can i put buzzer instead of
LED? I don”t understand why transistor is switching mode

Reply

Author

Swagatam  2 years ago

 Reply to Gina
Where else do you think LEDs can be put? Collector is the perfect place for the
LEDs… Yes you can use buzzer in pace of the LEDs.

Reply

ggin  2 years ago

I have a question,,,
Can you explain why you put resistance to the base of the transistor and to the collector?

Reply

Author

Swagatam  2 years ago

 Reply to ggin
those are current limiting resistors. Base resistor is always required otherwise the
transistor will burn due to base overcurrent. The collector resistor is also for the same
reasons, for protecting the LED and the transistor both from overcurrent

Reply

Alfredo Kress  3 years ago

Hi Swagatam,

may it be possible to replace the metal electrodes as sensing elements, by graphite

electrodes, to avoid corrosion problems?

Thank you in advance, and best regards

Alfredo

Reply

Author

Swagatam  3 years ago

 Reply to Alfredo Kress

Thank you Alfredo, that’s a good idea, and can be tried.

Reply
Chiew Fung Lan.  4 years ago

Hello, i want to ask that how is the circuit of water level indicator sensor with alarm using
LDR component.

Reply

Author

Swagatam  4 years ago

 Reply to Chiew Fung Lan.

Why do you want to use an LDR?

Reply

Manjunath jain  5 years ago

Sir I need another 2 indications to the same circuit

1) water filling to tank from municipal source
2) water from under water source.
We should know which source of water was filling to the water tank by “Led” indication this
should be by same circuit was it possible

Reply

Author

Swagatam  5 years ago

 Reply to Manjunath jain

Manjunath, it can be very easily implemented. Suppose you want the 6th gate to inform
you about this, then you can pick one link from the 6th gate input and another link from
the ground line and position the end terminals 1 inch apart and place them at the
mouth of the source. So when the water arrives it will connect these terminals and the
respective IC gate will illuminate the LED providing the required indications.

Reply

Manjunath jain  5 years ago

 Reply to Swagatam
Sir,
but sixth gate is already used for water level “full” indication.
Without interrupting, the above indicators, can I use sixth gate as another indicator
for ground water inflow indicator to the water tank. By adding another component
that would work as 6th gate as water level full indicator ( as shown in diagram) and
also ground water inflow indicator

Reply
 6th gate for indicating the water source then it will illuminate in advance if the
water comes from that source and will become ineffective as the full level
indicator.

Instead it’s better to employ a separate PNP BC557 Darlington based network,
and use it for sensing water from the source through its base, and the ground
line.

Reply

Ian  5 years ago

please advice value of R 13 in circuit diagram with pump control. in circuit diagram you
show 13 resistors but in pictures only show 12 resistors. R1 TO R6 = 2M2 and R7 TO R12 =
1K. What is value of R13 ?

Reply

Author

Swagatam  5 years ago

 Reply to Ian
R13 can be a 10K 1/4 watt resistor, for the transistor base

Reply

Ian  5 years ago

 Reply to Swagatam
Good day. I would like to know if i can make sensor f and o common, will that turn
off the relay when water level drops below sensor fo? ( sensor f and o is one
sensor.) and will the rest of the circuit function normal?

Reply

Author

Swagatam  5 years ago

 Reply to Ian
Hi Ian, that may not be possible without some elaborate modifications, I have
updated the modified design for enabling this operation, you can find the
upgraded design at the bottom section of the article. This will allow the motor to
switch ON only when the water level reaches point “F” and switch OFF when it
drops below point “D”

Reply

Ian  5 years ago

 Reply to Swagatam
Good day. Thank you sir for your quick response, time and effort to modify
 regular intervals of two hours off and fifteen minutes on. The water that
gets pumped out of my reservoir into a separate hydroponics system,
finally flows back into my reservoir through gravity, but eventually
the… Read more »

Reply

Author

Swagatam  5 years ago

 Reply to Ian
Thanks for the detailed explanation,

However I think the SCR is crucial here, otherwise it would be same as

the earlier circuit and the relay would keep toggling ON/OFF in
response to the upper water level.

The SCR ensures that once the motor is initiated with the top level
water, it doesn’t stop until the water level has reached below the “D”
point.

So the SCR along with the two transistors are crucial in the last
modified design.

Reply

Ian  5 years ago

 Reply to Swagatam
Thank you sir.

Reply

Rakesh kumar  5 years ago

Dear sir,
I made a water level controller with your help but the problem arises with corrosion at
probes. so I need your help and want to know about such a material that do not corode.
One thing I want to mention that I have used a water level controller device of skylet
company, its sensor do not corode over long period of use so I want to know what type
material they use?
Thanks.

Reply

Author

Swagatam  5 years ago

 Reply to Rakesh kumar

Dear Rakesh, corrosion can be avoided by using brass terminals coated with good
 the sensing terminals, instead of a single ground at the bottom of the tank.

Reply

Author

Swagatam  5 years ago

 Reply to Swagatam
for enabling a corrosion operation you can probably try the last updated design as
shown in the following article

https://www.homemade-circuits.com/anti-corrosion-probes-for-water-level/ (https://
www.homemade-circuits.com/anti-corrosion-probes-for-water-level/)

Reply

NATARAJ Mandal  5 years ago

Dear sir,
Please tell me why 0.1 disc capacitor is used in the above circuit. Will it work with out the
capacitors ?
Thank you .

Reply

Author

Swagatam  5 years ago

 Reply to NATARAJ Mandal

Nataraj, the 0.1uF are positioned to prevent stray disturbances affecting the gate input
pins, and to prevent false LED illumination.
If the sensing wires are small then the capacitor can be avoided otherwise it is
recommended to include those capacitors.

Reply

NATARAJ Mandal  5 years ago

 Reply to Swagatam
Ok thank you sir.

Reply

manjunath  6 years ago

sir as the wire immersed in water . later on a thick white layer formed arround the cutted
part of wire , and it stoped working , so what should i do to work that for long period.
thak you sir

Reply
 the ends

make sure to use good quality 60/40 solder and then check the response

Reply

shah hussain  8 years ago

and what about during ligtning period, since it is connectd to mains through transformer, if it
affects than suggest me the rating of fuse to connect to the primary of transformr

Reply

shah hussain  7 years ago

 Reply to shah hussain

Sir where to connect the MOV at 220v ac side or 6v ac side

Reply

Author

Swagatam  7 years ago

 Reply to shah hussain

220V AC side

Reply

shah hussain  7 years ago

 Reply to Swagatam
Sir whwen I connected the MOV at 220V side the voltage reduces to 30-40V,
and thus circuit does not work………….???
and one more thing , I want to connect a pre-recorded voice buzzer that will
sound like."your tank is full plz switch off your motor"
and i could not find this type of buzzer on the internet . …..so plz suggest me
the name of this type of buzzer and also some online store …thanx

Reply

Author

Swagatam  7 years ago

 Reply to shah hussain

Shah, an MOV will never drop the AC mains even by 1V….and if its
dropping by 30-40V then that indicates heavy current shorting and should
blow the mains DP fuse….I am not sure what may be the problem?

the prerecorded system will need to be made to order from the market….or
you may have to buy special audio clip reorder IC for enabling recording
and playback
  Reply to shah hussain
use an 300V MOV at the primary supply input for safeguarding the circuit from a
possible distant lightning induction.

Reply

shah hussain  8 years ago

sir if i connect 12 ac in place of dc in the above, then will circuit work? If yes than will the
tank water give any shok?

And i have one more question that i have made the same thing but the circuit is different in
which 6V ac is used by a stepdown 220/6 v 500mAmp transformer. And the circuit is
working quite good, so my Question is that is their any chances of shok in tank water if any
person come in contact.

Reply

Author

Swagatam  8 years ago

 Reply to shah hussain

hussain, ac supply will damage the IC immediately, not sure how it's working for you.

you can put a diode in series with the positive for applying a pulsating DC, that might
work but never use AC.

6V, or 12V pulsating DC or AC will not give any shock in the water.

Reply

shah hussain  8 years ago

and also sugest such materials as probe which will not get corroded very soon, amd also
which wire should i use cu or aluminium

Reply

Author

Swagatam  8 years ago

 Reply to shah hussain

use tinned copper….apply thick coat of good quality solder on copper.

Reply
 Reply

Author

Swagatam  8 years ago

 Reply to shah hussain

Hussain, you can try using pure stainless-steel probes and see if that helps.

Reply

erodri  8 years ago

Hi, It is IC CD4049UB a good alternative to IC 4049 ?

Reply

Author

Swagatam  8 years ago

 Reply to erodri
it' one and the same

Reply

Roberto Mendez  8 years ago

Im not an electronic guy. Is there any way you can do in and sell it to me?

Reply

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