The LNM Institute of Information Technology
Department of ECE
Report submitted towards partial fulfilment of Analog Electronics Laboratory Project 1
Date:- 18/02/2025
Design a Street Light Controller
Group number: 16
Supervised By: Dr. Suvadeep Choudhury
24UEC275 Pankaj Acharjee
24UEC276 Krittika Agrawal
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract 2
1. Introduction 3
1.1 Circuit Diagrams --------- 4
1.2 Components used----------- 4
2. Theory -------- 5-10
3. Simulation results --- 11-12
4. Bill of material ---------- 13
5. Conclusion -------- 14
6. References -------------------- 15
1
ABSTRACT
This project aims to develop an automatic street light control system that adjusts the street
lights based on the ambient light levels, using an LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) without
the need for a timer IC. The system takes advantage of the fact that the resistance of the LDR
changes according to the amount of light falling on it. In the presence of bright light, the
resistance of the LDR decreases, and in darkness, its resistance increases.
The circuit uses this property to control the switching of street lights. When the surrounding
light level is high (during the day), the LDR's resistance is low, which causes the circuit to
remain in an "off" state, keeping the street lights turned off. When the light levels decrease (at
night), the LDR's resistance increases, causing the circuit to switch on the street lights. This
simple, automatic process eliminates the need for manual intervention.
The system is efficient, energy-saving, and reliable, as it ensures that street lights are only on
when necessary. This design mimics natural light conditions, providing a practical solution to
urban street lighting that reduces power consumption while enhancing safety during the
night. The application of this system in real-world scenarios can lead to smarter, more
sustainable cities, offering both energy savings and improved convenience for city dwellers.
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1.INTRODUCTION
Street Light Controller Using LDR (Light Dependent Resistor)
The street light controller circuit using an LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) is a simple and
effective electronic system designed to automatically control street lights based on the
surrounding light intensity. The circuit utilizes the changing resistance of the LDR to detect
daylight and darkness, turning street lights on or off accordingly without requiring human
intervention. This system helps ensure that street lights are activated only when necessary,
optimizing energy usage.
The LDR functions by changing its resistance depending on the amount of light falling on it:
when exposed to bright light (daytime), its resistance decreases, and when it's dark
(nighttime), its resistance increases. This property of the LDR is used to control the switching
of a transistor or relay that operates the street lights (represented by LEDs in this setup).
1 Applications of the Street Light Controller:
• Automatic Street Lighting: The primary application of this system is in street
lighting, where it ensures that lights are automatically turned on at night and off
during the day, reducing the need for manual operation.
• Energy Conservation: By automatically controlling the street lights based on
ambient light, this system optimizes energy consumption. Street lights are illuminated
only when necessary, thus saving electricity and reducing energy bills.
• Smart City Infrastructure: The street light controller can be a crucial component of
smart city projects, providing an environmentally friendly solution that minimizes
energy waste and enhances urban sustainability.
• Public Safety: This automatic system helps maintain consistent lighting during the
night, improving public safety and visibility on streets without requiring human
intervention or complex control systems.
In conclusion, the street light controller using an LDR provides an efficient, low-cost, and
energy-saving solution for controlling street lighting. The use of this technology contributes
to smart urban planning, reducing manual efforts, enhancing safety, and promoting
sustainability in cities worldwide.
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(1.1) Circuit diagram:
(1.2) Components used:
• LDR (Light Dependent Resistor)
• NPN Transistor (e.g., 2N2222 or BC547)
• Resistors
• 10kΩ
• 220Ω
• LED (Light Emitting Diode)
• Power Supply (DC, 9V)
• Breadboard and Connecting Wires
4
2. Theory:
Idea:
The Street Light Controller circuit utilizes the LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) to detect
the ambient light levels and control the operation of the street lights automatically. The
resistance of the LDR varies based on the intensity of light falling on it: when exposed to
bright light, its resistance is low, and when it is dark, its resistance increases.
To make the LDR work effectively with the transistor (or relay), we need to convert the
change in its resistance into a corresponding voltage. This is accomplished by using a voltage
divider arrangement, where the LDR is paired with a fixed resistor. The voltage at the
junction of the LDR and resistor is passed to the base of the NPN transistor.
When it is bright, the LDR’s resistance is low, resulting in a lower voltage at the base of the
transistor. This keeps the transistor in the off state, preventing the street light (LED) from
turning on. As the light level decreases (in the evening or night), the resistance of the LDR
increases, which increases the voltage at the transistor's base. Once this voltage exceeds a
threshold (typically around 0.7V), the transistor is triggered and enters the on state, allowing
current to flow through the LED and turning on the street light.
Procedure:
Step 1: Connect pin 1 of the NPN transistor to the ground.
Step 2: Connect pin 3 of the NPN transistor to the collector, where the street light (Bulb) will
be connected.
Step 3: Connect the emitter of the NPN transistor to ground.
Step 4: Connect the LDR in series with a 10kΩ resistor. This combination forms a voltage
divider and is connected between the Vcc (positive supply voltage) and ground.
Step 5: Connect the junction between the LDR and 10kΩ resistor to the base of the NPN
transistor. This will be the input for the control signal that determines whether the street light
(LED) should be on or off.
Step 6: Connect a current-limiting resistor (220Ω) in series with the LED, and then connect
the other terminal of the LED to the collector of the NPN transistor.
Step 7: Connect the Vcc to the positive rail of the circuit, providing the necessary power for
the LED and the transistor.
Step 8: As the light level changes, the resistance of the LDR will vary, adjusting the voltage
at the base of the transistor. When the light is low (darkness), the resistance of the LDR
increases, allowing more voltage at the base of the transistor, turning it on and lighting up the
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LED (street light). When the light level is high (daytime), the LDR's resistance decreases, and
the transistor remains off, turning off the street light.
About Components
The street light controller circuit primarily uses the LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) to
sense light intensity, along with NPN Transistor to control the switching of the street light
(LED) based on the light conditions. The system also requires a few passive components for
voltage regulation, current limiting, and stable operation.
2 LDR (Light Dependent Resistor):
The LDR is a key component in this circuit, acting as the light sensor. The resistance of the
LDR decreases in the presence of light and increases in darkness. This change in resistance is
used to create a corresponding voltage that controls the transistor, which ultimately switches
the street light on or off.
• Working Principle: The resistance of the LDR decreases with an increase in light
intensity, making it a photoconductive material.
3 NPN Transistor (e.g., 2N2222 or BC547):
The NPN transistor is used as a switch in the circuit. When the light intensity is low
(darkness), the LDR’s resistance increases, which triggers the transistor to turn on, allowing
current to flow through the LED (representing the street light) and turning it on.
• Working Principle: The base of the transistor receives a voltage signal from the
LDR-resistor combination, which either turns the transistor on or off, controlling the
street light.
4 Resistors:
Resistors are used in this circuit to set appropriate voltage levels, limit current, and adjust the
behavior of the components. Typical resistors used include:
• 10kΩ resistor: Used in the voltage divider with the LDR.
• 220Ω resistor: Connected in series with the LED to limit current and prevent
damage.
• Base resistor for transistor (usually 1kΩ): Limits current going into the transistor's
base to protect it.
5 LED (Light Emitting Diode):
6
The LED is used to represent the street light in this experiment. When the transistor is turned
on, current flows through the LED, illuminating it. The LED can be scaled up to an actual
street light in a real-world scenario.
• Working Principle: The LED lights up when the transistor conducts current,
representing the street light turning on.
6 Power Supply (Vcc):
The circuit requires a DC power supply, typically ranging from 5V to 12V, to power the
components. The power supply provides the necessary voltage for the transistor and LED to
function correctly.
• Working Principle: The power supply drives the entire circuit, allowing the LED to
be switched on or off based on the light conditions detected by the LDR.
7 Breadboard and Connecting Wires:
A breadboard is used to connect and test the components of the circuit without soldering.
Connecting wires are used to make all the necessary connections between components.
• Working Principle: These provide the physical connections to allow current to flow
between the components.
8 Optional Components:
• Diode: Can be added for additional protection, especially when working with higher
power LEDs or relays.
• Relay: If controlling higher voltage street lights or an actual load, a relay can be
added for switching.
9 Functional Description of the Street Light Controller Using LDR
Circuit Configuration:
The Street Light Controller using LDR operates based on the change in resistance of the
LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) caused by variations in the surrounding light levels. The
basic idea of the circuit is to use the LDR in conjunction with a NPN transistor to control
the switching of the street light (represented by an LED) based on the amount of light
detected.
10 Voltage Divider Configuration:
In this circuit, the LDR is connected in a voltage divider arrangement with a fixed 10kΩ
resistor. The LDR's resistance varies with the light intensity — it has low resistance in bright
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light and high resistance in darkness. The voltage at the junction of the LDR and 10kΩ
resistor changes accordingly, which is fed to the base of the NPN transistor.
• When it is bright, the LDR’s resistance decreases, causing the voltage at the base of
the transistor to drop below the threshold voltage (approximately 0.7V). This keeps
the NPN transistor in an off state, preventing current from flowing through the
LED, so the street light stays off.
• When it is dark, the LDR’s resistance increases, causing the voltage at the
transistor's base to rise above 0.7V, triggering the transistor into an on state. This
allows current to flow through the LED, turning the street light on.
11 Transistor Switching Mechanism:
The NPN transistor operates as a switch in this configuration:
• In bright light, the low voltage at the base keeps the transistor in the off state. As a
result, the circuit is open, and no current flows through the LED, keeping the street
light turned off.
• In darkness, the increased voltage at the base causes the transistor to switch on,
allowing current to flow from the collector to the emitter and through the LED,
which lights up the street light.
The voltage at the base is determined by the LDR and 10kΩ resistor voltage divider, which
makes the transistor either on or off depending on the light conditions. The transistor serves
as the switch that controls the street light (LED).
12 Operation Summary:
• The LDR-resistor voltage divider continuously monitors the light levels.
• The NPN transistor is used as a switch, turning the street light (LED) on when it is
dark and off when it is bright.
• The system operates automatically without the need for manual intervention,
providing energy savings and efficient lighting control in response to ambient light
changes.
Pin diagram:
13 LDR (Light Dependent Resistor):
A Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) is a type of resistor whose resistance decreases when
exposed to light and increases in darkness. It is a key component used in light sensing
circuits, where its primary role is to detect the intensity of ambient light. LDRs are commonly
used in applications like street lighting systems, light meters, optical sensors, and light-
sensitive circuits.
14 Working Principle:
8
The working principle of an LDR is based on the photoconductivity effect. When light falls
on the surface of the LDR, it excites electrons in the material, which increases the number of
charge carriers and thus lowers its resistance. The resistance of the LDR is inversely
proportional to the light intensity. In bright light, the resistance is very low, and in darkness,
the resistance is very high. The LDR’s resistance change is used to generate a corresponding
voltage, which is then fed into the circuit to control the operation of other components like
transistors.
15 NPN Transistor:
A NPN transistor is a type of bipolar junction transistor (BJT) commonly used for switching
and amplification purposes. In the street light controller circuit, it acts as a switch that
controls the operation of the street light (LED) based on the signal from the LDR.
16 Working Principle:
The NPN transistor consists of three regions: the emitter, base, and collector. When the
voltage at the base exceeds a certain threshold (around 0.7V for silicon transistors), it allows
current to flow from the collector to the emitter. In this circuit, the base of the transistor is
connected to the LDR-resistor voltage divider, and when the voltage at the base is sufficient
(in darkness), it turns the transistor on, allowing current to flow through the LED and light up
the street light. When the light is bright, the transistor remains off, and the street light stays
off.
17 Resistors:
Resistors are essential components in the circuit used to control current flow and adjust
voltage levels. In this project, they are used to form the voltage divider with the LDR and
also to limit the current going through the LED to prevent it from being damaged.
18 Working Principle:
Resistors obey Ohm's Law, where the voltage across a resistor is directly proportional to the
current passing through it. By placing resistors in specific locations within the circuit, we can
create controlled voltage drops or limit the current, making the circuit behave as desired. For
example, the 10kΩ resistor works in combination with the LDR to create a voltage divider,
providing the voltage that controls the transistor’s operation. The 220Ω resistor in series
with the LED limits the current flowing through the LED, ensuring its longevity and
preventing overdriving.
19 Power Supply (Vcc):
The power supply is the source of electrical energy for the entire circuit. For this street light
controller circuit, a DC power supply is required to power the LED, transistor, and LDR
components. The voltage typically ranges from 5V to 12V, depending on the configuration
and desired current for the components.
9
20 Working Principle:
The power supply provides the necessary voltage to operate the circuit and power
components such as the LED. It ensures that the transistor and LDR receive the appropriate
voltage to function correctly. The Vcc rail connects to the positive terminal of the power
supply, while the ground rail is connected to the negative terminal.
21 Applications of Street Light Controller Using LDR:
• Automatic Street Lighting: LDRs are used in street lighting systems to
automatically turn on the street lights when it gets dark and turn them off during
daylight, improving energy efficiency and reducing manual effort.
• Outdoor Lighting Control: The system can be implemented in outdoor lighting
systems, such as garden lights or driveway lights, to turn on lights in the evening and
off during the day, saving energy.
• Smart Lighting Systems: Integrated with smart home systems, the LDR-based
controller can be used to automatically adjust lighting levels based on natural light
intensity, enhancing comfort and reducing electricity usage.
• Energy Conservation in Public Areas: The street light controller system can be used
in public spaces, parks, or parking lots to ensure that lights are on only when needed,
thus contributing to energy conservation and reduced costs.
• Automation in Urban Areas: In urban areas, LDR-based street light controllers
enable lighting systems to respond dynamically to changing light conditions, ensuring
proper illumination during the night and turning off when daylight returns.
• Environmental Monitoring: The LDR-based system can be used in environmental
monitoring applications to detect changes in light intensity, contributing to studies on
sunlight patterns or urban light pollution levels.
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3. SIMULATION RESULTS:
Figure 1:- At low light / darkness
Figure 2:- At medium brightness
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Figure 3:- When intensity of light is very low
Figure 4:- When intensity of light is null
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4. BILL OF THE MATERIAL:-
SL. NO. COMPONENTS USED QUANTITY PRICE Total price
(PER/PIECE)
1. NPN Transistor (e.g., 2N2222 or 1 Rs. 10 Rs. 10
BC547)
2. Resistor 10 kΩ 2 Rs. 1 Rs. 1
3. Bulb 1 Rs. 80 Rs. 80
4. LDR (Light Dependent Resistance) 1 Rs. 24 Rs. 24
5. 9V Battery 1 Rs. 60 Rs. 60
6. 220 ohm resistor 1 Rs. 2 Rs. 2
7. Breadboard 1 Rs. 37 Rs. 37
8 Multimeter 1 Rs 200 Rs 200
Total Rs. 414
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5. CONCLUSION:
1. The street light controller system using LDR effectively automates the switching of
street lights, turning them on when it gets dark and off during daylight, contributing to
energy conservation.
2. By adjusting the resistance values in the LDR-voltage divider circuit, we can fine-
tune the sensitivity of the system, ensuring it responds accurately to changes in
ambient light intensity for optimal operation.
3. The use of appropriate resistor values helps in minimizing power consumption,
reducing unnecessary energy use during daylight, and ensuring that the lights only
operate when needed, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the system.
This approach not only saves energy but also simplifies the operation of street lighting
systems, making it more sustainable and cost-effective.
14
6. REFERENCES:
References:
[1]. https://www.electronicsforu.com/electronics-projects/street-light-
controller#:~:text=Learn%20how%20to%20build%20a%20street%20light%20con
troller,Efficiently%20control%20street%20lights%20and%20prevent%20false%20
triggering
[2]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/555_timer_IC
[3]. https://robocraze.com/
[4]. https://www.amazon.in/
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoresistor
[6]. https://www.electronics-
notes.com/articles/electronic_components/resistors/light-dependent-resistor-
ldr.php
[7]. https://elonics.org/light-sensor-and-darkness-detector-circuit-using-ldr-
transistor/
[8]. Working Principle of LED - The Engineering Knowledge
[9]. Light Dependent Resistor: A Comprehensive Guide | Electrical4U
[10]. https://gemini.google.com/app
[11]. https://www.electronicshub.org/darkness-detector-using-ldr/
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