PROJECT REPORT

ON
“Water Level Indicator Detector Using BC547”

B.E. Semester IV (Electronics and Communication)

Guided by: Prof. Jayesh Diwan

Submitted by: Pratham Parekh

Enrollment Number: 240173111019(EC-4I)

1|Page
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 I am deeply grateful to my respected project guide, Prof. Jayesh Diwan, for his constant

guidance, encouragement, and valuable suggestions throughout the development of my

project, “Water Level Indicator.” His expertise and insightful feedback played a crucial

role in helping me understand the core concepts and successfully implement them.

 I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the entire faculty and staff of the

Electronics and Communication Engineering Department, Vishwakarma Government

Engineering College, Chandkheda, for providing the necessary resources, laboratory

facilities, and a supportive academic environment. Their assistance helped me carry out

this project smoothly and effectively.

 I am thankful to my friends and classmates who provided their support, shared ideas, and

gave me the motivation to improve my work. Their suggestions and discussions were

valuable during the troubleshooting and testing phases of this project.

 Lastly, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to my parents and family members for

their unconditional love, support, and encouragement throughout this journey. Their

constant motivation inspired me to work with dedication and complete the project

successfully.

2|Page
CONTENTS

Topic Name Page No.

1. Abstract...........................................................................................................................04
2. Introduction.....................................................................................................................05
3. Component......................................................................................................................06
4. About BC547...................................................................................................................07
5. Circuit Diagram...............................................................................................................08
6. Model..............................................................................................................................09
7. How to assemble.............................................................................................................10
8. Operating Guide..............................................................................................................12
9. Working..........................................................................................................................13
10. Observation.....................................................................................................................14
11. Conclusion.......................................................................................................................15
12. References......................................................................................................................16

3|Page
 ABSTRACT

The Water Level Indicator is a helpful electronic system that shows how much water is

present in a tank by using LEDs or a display. It works using simple components like

transistors, resistors, and metal probes (wires) placed at different heights inside the water

tank. When the water touches these probes, it completes the circuit and lights up the

corresponding LED to show the water level. An optional buzzer can be added to give an

alert when the tank is full or almost empty. This project is very useful for homes, buildings,

and farms to avoid water overflow and to protect pumps from running without water. It

helps save water, reduces electricity usage, and removes the need for manually checking

the tank. The system is easy to make, low cost, and works automatically, making it suitable

for daily life water connection.

4|Page
INTRODUCTION

 Water is one of the most important resources in our daily life, and managing it properly is

very important to avoid wastage. In many homes and buildings, people often forget to

turn off the water pump in time, which leads to water overflow or sometimes dry running

of the pump when the tank is empty. To solve this problem, a simple electronic project

called a Water Level Indicator can be used. It helps to monitor the water level in a tank

and gives a visual indication using LEDs when the water reaches different levels. This

system makes it easier to know when to turn the pump on or off.

 In this project, we are using BC547 transistors as the main component to control the

switching of LEDs based on the water level. Metal probes are placed inside the tank at

different heights. When the water touches these probes, it completes the circuit and

activates the corresponding transistor, which in turn lights up an LED. This shows the

user how much water is in the tank. The circuit is simple, affordable, and easy to build,

making it ideal for homes, schools, and small buildings. It helps in saving water,

electricity, and time, while also reducing manual effort.

5|Page
 COMPONENTS

Component Name Quantity Role

Works as a switch to control LEDs based
BC547 NPN Transistor 4–5
on water contact.
Limits current to protect transistors and
Resistors (1kΩ – 10kΩ) 4–5
LEDs.
LEDs Displays water levels visually (low to
4–5
(Red/Green/Yellow) full).
Detects water presence at different
Metal Probes (wires) 4–5
heights in the tank.
Buzzer (optional) 1 Alerts when the tank is full or empty.
Power Supply (5V–9V) 1 Provides electrical power to the circuit.
Connecting Wires As required Connects all components together.
Breadboard or PCB 1 Platform for assembling the components.
Used to manually turn the system ON or
Switch (optional) 1
OFF.

6|Page
ABOUT BC547

Overview:

The BC547 is a general-purpose NPN bipolar junction transistor (BJT) commonly used
for switching and amplification applications. It's ideal for low current, low power, medium
voltage, and moderate speed applications. The transistor is widely used in hobby electronics
and educational projects due to its availability and versatility.

Key Features:
 Transistor Type: NPN
 Collector-Emitter Voltage (Vce): 45V max
 Collector-Base Voltage (Vcb): 50V max
 Emitter-Base Voltage (Veb): 6V max
 Collector Current (Ic): 100 mA max
 DC Current Gain (hFE): 110 to 800 (depending on model: A, B, or C)
 Transition Frequency (fT): 150 MHz
 Power Dissipation (Ptot): 500 mW (at 25°C)
 Package Type: TO-92
 Low noise and high gain performance

Pin Configuration with Block Diagram:

Role in This Project:

In a non-contact AC voltage detector, the BC547 typically functions as an amplifier or
switch to detect and indicate the presence of an AC electric field.

7|Page
Circuit Diagram

8|Page
Model

9|Page
 How to assemble

1. Place Components on Breadboard or PCB

 Insert 5 BC547 transistors on the breadboard.
 Connect the collector pin of each BC547 to one end of a 1K resistor.
 Connect the other end of each 1K resistor to the positive rail (9V+).
 Attach LEDs in series with each 1K resistor if needed, anode towards resistor and
cathode towards collector.

2. Wiring the Emitters

 Connect all emitter pins of the BC547 transistors together.
 Connect them to the negative rail (9V−) of your power supply.

3. Connecting the Probes (Tank Side)

 Take 5 wires/probes and insert them at different heights in the water tank:
o Bottom = Common (20%)
o Above that = 40%
o Then 60%, 80%, and 100% respectively.
 Connect each probe wire to the base of the corresponding BC547 transistor through a
current-limiting resistor (usually 10K).
 Connect the common probe at the bottom of the tank to the 9V− (GND).

4. Buzzer Connection (Top Level)

 Connect a buzzer in parallel with the LED at the 100% level (topmost).
 It will activate when water touches the top probe.

5. Power Supply
 Connect a 9V battery or adapter:
o Positive terminal (9V+) to the resistor and LED rail.
o Negative terminal (9V−) to emitters and common probe.

10 | P a g e
How to assemble

✅ Final Check:

 Inspect Solder Joints

 Ensure all connections are shiny, clean, and secure.
 Check for cold joints or dull, cracked solder.

 Trim Excess Leads

 Use wire cutters to trim extra component leads for a clean build.

 Check for Shorts

 Make sure there are no solder bridges between tracks.
 Use a multimeter (continuity test) to verify isolation where needed.

11 | P a g e
Operating Guide

Operating Instructions
 Switch ON the power supply to activate the circuit.
 Ensure all sensor probes are correctly placed at Low, Medium, and High levels.
 As water touches each probe, the corresponding LED will light up.
 The buzzer sounds when the tank reaches the full level (if included).
 The system continuously monitors the water level in real time.
 A connected pump (if present) turns ON/OFF automatically based on water level.
 Keep the circuit dry and only immerse the sensor wires in water.
 Turn OFF the power before making any changes or maintenance.

Cautions
 Do not immerse the entire circuit—only the sensor wires should go into the water.
 Avoid handling the circuit with wet hands.
 Double-check all connections before powering the device.
 Ensure the power supply voltage matches the circuit requirements.
 Keep the circuit away from children or pets to avoid accidents.
 Turn off the power before performing any maintenance or adjustments.

Troubleshooting Guide
 If the LEDs are not lighting up, check for loose connections, incorrect wiring, or faulty
LEDs. If the buzzer doesn’t sound, ensure it’s properly connected and replace it if
damaged. If there’s no response when water touches the probes, inspect the sensor wires
for corrosion, breaks, or weak contact points. If all LEDs stay ON, there may be a wiring
error or the probes are shorting due to water. If the pump isn’t operating, verify that the
relay or control logic is working correctly. Lastly, if the system does not power on, check
the power source, polarity, and all circuit connections for stability.

12 | P a g e
Working

This water level indicator is a simple and effective system to monitor the water level
inside a tank using basic electronic components: transistors, LEDs, resistors, and a
buzzer. The system indicates the water level at different heights (20%, 40%, 60%,
90%, and 100%) with LEDs and an alarm sound when the tank is full.

 Components Used:
 5 × BC547 NPN transistors
 5 × 1kΩ resistors
 4 × LEDs (2 red, 2 green)
 1 × Buzzer
 A 9V DC power supply
 Water tank with 5 metal probe points and one common ground probe

 Each of the five sensing points (20%, 40%, 60%, 90%, and 100%) is connected to the
base of a BC547 transistor through a 1kΩ resistor. The emitter of all transistors is
connected to the negative terminal (ground) of the power supply, and the collector is
connected to an LED or buzzer which then goes to the positive terminal (+9V).
 At the bottm of the tank, there's a common probe connected to the negative terminal
(0V). As the water level rises and touches each level probe, the circuit for that level is
completed through the conductive property of water.

 When water touches a particular level probe:

 Water conducts current from that probe to the common ground.
 A small base current flows into the transistor through the 1kΩ resistor.
 The transistor turns ON (saturates), allowing current to flow from the collector to the
emitter.
 This turns ON the corresponding LED, visually indicating that the level has been
reached.
 When the water reaches the 100% level, the transistor connected to that probe activates
the buzzer, alerting that the tank is full.

13 | P a g e
 Observation

The circuit was tested by bringing it near different electrical sources such as wall sockets, live

wires, and appliances.

Water
Condition LED Buzzer Observation
Level

No probes touched by water; circuit remains idle and

No water in tank 0% OFF OFF
consumes minimal power.

Water reaches bottom

20% Red LED ON OFF First transistor conducts; indicates low water level.
probe

Water rises to second

40% Red LED ON OFF Second transistor conducts; level still low but rising.
probe

Green LED
Water touches third probe 60% OFF Mid-level reached; safe water level indication.
ON

Water reaches fourth Green LED Tank is nearly full; prepares user for upcoming buzzer
90% OFF
probe ON alert.

Final transistor triggers buzzer; alerts user that tank is

Water touches top probe 100% (No LED) ON
full.

Water level drops below LEDs as per Buzzer turns off automatically; LEDs adjust to current
<100% OFF
top probe level water level.

 Key Observations:
1. Accurate Level Detection:

 The circuit reliably detects water at different levels (20%, 40%, 60%, 90%, and 100%) based on water

conductivity.

2. Instant Visual & Audio Feedback:

 LEDs turn ON immediately as water touches each probe.

 Buzzer activates only at 100% level, providing clear overflow warning.

3. Transistor Switching Works Effectively:

 Each BC547 transistor responds quickly to the small current conducted through water, acting as a switch to

activate LEDs and the buzzer.

14 | P a g e
 Conclusion

The Water Level Indicator circuit provides an effective, low-cost solution for
monitoring the water level in a tank using basic electronic components such as
transistors, resistors, LEDs, and a buzzer. The system operates on the principle
of water conductivity to activate visual and audible indicators at specific levels
(20%, 40%, 60%, 90%, and 100%), with the buzzer alerting users when the tank
is full. The circuit is energy-efficient, remaining idle when water is absent, and
offers real-time feedback through transistor switching. It is simple to construct,
reliable in performance, and ideal for domestic or agricultural applications
where water conservation and management are important. This project
demonstrates how fundamental electronic principles can be applied to create
practical and scalable everyday solutions.

15 | P a g e
REFERENCE

1. Basic Electronics Principles – Floyd, Thomas L. Electronic Devices (Conventional

Current Version), Pearson Education.

2. Datasheet for BC547 NPN Transistor – ON Semiconductor

3. "Water Level Indicator Circuit Using Transistors" – Electronics Hub,

www.electronicshub.org

4. Practical testing method adapted from AC voltage detection circuits – inspired by

field detection principles used in non-contact voltage testers.

5. Classroom lab observations and testing under supervision – Self-evaluated using

standard circuit simulation and real-tank conditions.

THANKYOU

16 | P a g e