How to make an automatic Street light project using LDR with Arduino

In this project, we will build an automatic Street light that remains off in daylight but turns on during the night. This automatic street light controller project uses an LDR(Light Dependent Resistor) with Arduino.  “How to make an automatic Street light project using LDR with Arduino”

What is an Automatic Street light?

You must have seen these self-controlled lights on the side of a road. We do not have to manually turn on and off the street lights as they turn on and off all by themselves according to the intensity of the surrounding light.

So this project is all about building a small version of such an Automatic street light project using LDR and Arduino.

Components needed for this Automatic Street Light

1. LDR
2. Arduino UNO
3. SPDT Relay 12volt
4. Bulb
5. BC547 Transistor
6. 1o Kohm potentiometer
7. Connecting wires

Circuit diagram

Arduino code of Automatic Street Light Controller

int x;  //corresponding digital value at LDR's terminal connected to pin10
void setup() {

  pinMode(10, INPUT);  // LDR is connected to this pin
  pinMode(8, OUTPUT);  // Base of the transistor is connected to this pin through a 1k ohm resistor
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {

  x = digitalRead(10);
  Serial.println(x);
  delay(1000);

  if (x == 0) {
    digitalWrite(8, HIGH);  // if digital value is 0 i.e, Dark, Bulb turns ON
  } else {
    digitalWrite(8, LOW);  //if digital value is 1 i.e, Daylight, Bulb turns OFF
  }
}

**Explanation of the code is in the comments itself.

Working

Case 1: When Light is low

1. When the intensity of light that falls on the LDR is less, the Resistance of the LDR is high and this causes More voltage drop across the LDR. This implies that less voltage drop is obtained across the potentiometer’s terminal connected to input pin 10 and Ground. Hence 0 is obtained on the Serial Monitor in this case.

2. As written in the program, when this happens i.e. x==0, Digital pin 8 should be high or 1.

3. Since this pin is connected to the base of the BC547 transistor through a 1k ohm resistor, it is turned on.

4. As soon as this happens, current starts flowing through the Vin pin of Arduino to the actuating coil of the Relay to the collector and then the emitter of the transistor to the Gnd finally.

5. Due to this flow of current through a relay, Normally open contact becomes closed, and current starts flowing through the Bulb.

Case 2: When Light is High

1. When the intensity of light that falls on the LDR is higher, the Resistance of the LDR is less and this causes less voltage drop across the LDR. This implies that more voltage drop is obtained across the potentiometer’s terminal connected to input pin 10 and Ground. Hence 1 is obtained on Serial Monitor in this case.

2. As written in the program, when this happens i.e, x==1, Digital pin 8 should be LOW or 0.

3. Since this pin is connected to the base of the BC547 transistor through a 1k ohm resistor, it remains off.

4. As soon as this happens, current stops flowing through the Vin pin of Arduino to the Gnd finally.

5. Due to this, Normally open contact remains as it is and current does not flow through the Bulb.

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