Electrical Technology

Automatic Plant Watering system

Guided by Prof. H.M.Khare

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Index
Sl No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Particulars Concept and Theory Circuit Diagram Materials Used Assembly Problems faced with solutions, Limitations of the project Future scope References used 3 5 6 6 8 8 8 8 Page No.

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Concept

This project consists of a circuit which controls water pump to supply water at desired times of day and for desired intervals of time. The times can be adjustable according to user preferences. The whole circuitry starts with one push of button and works until it is switched OFF or power supply is interrupted.

Theory
List of components used:
1. Contactor 2. Timer 3. Push-Buttons

1. Contactor :
Contactor is an electrically controlled switch used for switching a power circuit. Contactor we used has 3 NO (Normally Open) contacts at bottom, 2 NO contacts at middle and 2 NC(Normally Closed) contacts at top.

2. Timer
Timer is a time controlled relay circuit. Time can be set according to user requirements. Generally it has two modes namely, On Delay and Interval. Timer we used has eight terminals with two poles, hence two NOs and two NCs and two terminals of coil named A1 and A2.

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ON-DELAY In on-delay , mode upon application of the input voltage, the delay begins. As soon as the delay is completed, the output is energized. Then the input voltage is removed, the output returns to the deenergized state

INTERVAL In interval, mode upon application of the input voltage, the output is energized and the interval begins. When the interval is completed the output is de-energized.

3. Push Buttons
The push-button is a simple mechanism for controlling some aspect of circuit. Push buttons make the circuit complete momentarily, i.e. circuit remains complete for the time it is pressed. When released, the circuit breaks.

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Circuit Diagram

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Material Used:
1. Timer 2. Contactor 3. Push Buttons 4. Connector 5. Bulb 6. Water Pump - 4 Units - 2 Units - 2 Units - 1 Unit - 1 Unit - 1 Unit

Assembly
The Load is connected to contactor whose coil gets energized by timers T1 and T4. The coil is connected in NC terminals in timer T1 (in delay mode) and is connected in NO terminals in timer T4 (in Interval mode). Timer T1 is connected to T2 and T3 such that timer T1 controls timers T2 and T3. Hence T2 and T3 switch ON simultaneously. Timer T2 is connected to T4 such that timer T2 controls timer T4. The Coil terminals of timer T1 are connected in NC connection of timer T3, hence timer T1 is controlled by timer T3. Timer T3 resets whole circuit after its delay is complete. All the neutrals of the timers, load, contactor are connected to one side of connector the other side short circuited and one common wire is taken out which is supposed to be connected to neutral. But this common line is controlled by push button switching mechanism. Hence whole circuit is controlled by two push-buttons. The Green button is used to switch ON the circuit and the Red button is used to switch OFF the circuit.

Circuit Operation:
The supply is given and the green button is pressed to switch ON the circuit. Then the timer T1 which is on delay mode starts the load while counting its delay. When the delay is complete, its starts T2 and T3. Timer T2 (delay mode) starts its counting while the load is OFF for that delay. When the delay of timer T2 is completed, it starts T4 while T3 is still counting its delay. Timer T4 (interval mode) switches ON the load for the set time of timer T4. When the set time for T4 is completed, the load is switched off again. At this point timer
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T3 is still counting its delay. When the delay for timer T3 is completed, it switches state (NO becomes closed) and supply to timer T1 is cut. Hence timers T2, T3 and T4 get switched OFF i.e. the circuit gets RESET. This cycle gets repeated until the red button is pressed or the supply is cut off.

For Example:

To implement times according to above wave form, the timers were set as below: T1=5sec; T3=25sec; T2=10sec; T4=12sec

1. 2. 3. 4.

Observing this one can learn how to set times to water plants in this circuit. Hence we can use set of times mentioned above to : water plants for 5 seconds stop watering for 10 seconds again start watering plants but for 12 seconds then stop watering but for 3 seconds The supply is given and the green button is pressed to switch ON the circuit. Then the timer T1 which is on delay mode starts the load while counting its delay of 5 seconds. When the 5 seconds delay is complete, its starts T2 and T3. Timer T2 (delay mode) starts its counting of 10 seconds while the load is OFF for that delay and Timer T3(delay mode) starts its counting of 25 seconds in synchronism with T2. When the 10 seconds delay of timer T2 is completed, it starts T4 while T3 is still counting its delay on 10 seconds counting. Timer T4 (interval mode) switches ON the load for 12 seconds. When the set time of 12 seconds of T4 is completed, the load is switched off again. At this point timer T3 is still counting its delay on 22 seconds counting.
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When the delay of 25 seconds for timer T3 is completed, it switches state (NO becomes closed) and supply to timer T1 is cut. Hence timers T2, T3 and T4 get switched OFF i.e. the circuit gets RESET. This cycle gets repeated until the red button is pressed or the supply is cut off.

Problems Faced With Solutions

1. There were short-circuits due to wrong connections in the circuit. Hence we made connections carefully from start. We made connections component by component to avoid randomness. 2. Water Pump stopped working due to choke up. Hence we immediately repaired it.

Limitations of the project

1. The components used in the circuit are expensive which increased the cost of the project. 2. This system is somewhat big.

Future Scope
This project can be used in applications where there is need of automatic switching i.e. without any human effort. Hence in this case it can be used to water small gardens in our homes, public gardens and also in farms. With some possible changes we can use this very same circuit to store water in our home's or society's water storage tanks..

References used
1. 2. 3. 4. http://www.google.co.in http://www.mskrao.weebly.com http://www.CircuitsToday.com http://www.wikipedia.com

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