Rain alarm circuit

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Description.

Here is a simple rain alarm circuit that produces an audible alarm when ever rain falls. The rain detector circuit is based on two transistors (Q1 & Q2) and a NE555IC (IC1). The two transistors are wired as a switch which goes on when the base of Q1 is shorted to the positive of the supply by the rainwater falling on the sensor. When the transistors are ON power supply is available to the IC1 which is wired as an astable multivibrator. The output of IC1 drives the speaker to produce an alarm.

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Circuit diagram with Parts list. 

rain-_alarm-circuit.JPG

Notes. 

  • Assemble the circuit on a good quality PCB or common board.
  • For assembling the sensor  cut a 2×2 inch mica or plastic sheet. Arrange two  single stranded wires (running parallel 2mm close to each other)  on the sheet as shown in figure below. Remember the wires have to be non-insulated. Sensor ready.
  • Now you can connect the points A&B on the sensor to corresponding points A&B on the circuit.
  • POT R2 can be used to adjust the sensitivity.
  • To test the circuit, make all connections and power up.Place a drop of water on the sensor so that two wires become shorted through water. Now the alarm starts sounding. If not adjust R2 to get the alarm sounding.
  • Use a 9v battery or  a 9V  regulated DC supply for powering the circuit.
  • Do not connect speakers  less than8 Ohm impedance as load. It will damage the IC.
  • A piezo buzzer can be also used instead of the speaker.

 

Sensor schematic.

rain-sensor.jpg

Note:- We have recently developed a fully functional Water Level Controller using 8051 Microcontroller. This water level controller monitors the level of the over head tank  and automatically switches on the water pump when ever the level goes below a preset limit. You may try the circuit!

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63 thoughts on “Rain alarm circuit”

  1. RICKY THE ELECTROGEEK

    I think The Addition Of The Darlington Circuit is a Great Ideal…Here Is Why!! The Total Gain Of The 2 Transistors is Av = hfe1 x hfe2 This Will greatly INCREASE the Sensitivity Of The Circuit and will give an Indication to even a small Amount Of Rain!!! Thank You To The Designer Of This USEFUL CIRCUIT!!!

  2. guhan

    i think the darlington pair made of BC 548 and BC107 is not nedded.. we can
    use only one transistor….. since the sensor sense the rain and provide the voltage to the base of the transistor and this will allow the timer to run…. this will indicate the falling of rain…
    what i coming to say is use only one transistor insted of two and the output will be same. use BC548 n-p-n transistor.
    and the circuit is good and the sensor that made was superb………..

  6. Fernando Teixeira

    I’m interested in the rain sensor, the milar sheet with the wires.
    Do you have any information such as manufacturer, part number, etc. for the possibility of purchase?
    Many thansks in advance,
    Fernando

  7. sathya

    Hi sir,I tried this project and initially it doesn’t work but i changed POT value finally I got result.thanx for ur project

  8. shubham

    sir we r attempting this project fr our 1st yr and hence we are a little bit short on the technical knowledge.it would be of great help if u could send us information about the circuit and the doe’s nd don’t related to it. it would really help us ,please send asap.
    thanking u in anticipation
    shubham

    1. Fernando Teixeira

      I don’t know how to send you a schem.
      Sufice it to say that the sensor is connected in series resistor divider from 5v to gnd, and the change in resistance input into a voltage comparator TS393C for processing.
      I am looking for the sensor itself.
      Can you help?

  9. Pallavi

    Hey its an interesting project..plz do forward the details of the project as soon as possible.

  10. chinmay

    its not working…. usless circuit.. the current on output is very less. which cant drive speaker..

    1. Seetharaman

      Hi Chinmay NE555 with 9 volt supply can give minimum 250mA frive. Please check the assembly for mistakes. To isolate link Q2 collector and emitter. You should get good audible tone from tweeter. If ok check Q1 and Q2 connections.

  12. bradley

    any chance of a PDS of this circuit or more detail on the components? it would be appreciated.

  13. alice

    its really working and interesting,Still more information needed for the project………..

  14. ramanveer singh

    today i am made this rain alarm project its very complicated project in designing or programming methods . my office HR secretory can help me & programming to this project .

  15. Omer Mirza

    I liked your circuit v.much. I shall be very obliged if you send me a detailed information about this circuit. I have just started to study the 555 timer IC. I need a detailed description of this circuit so, I can more clear my concept about 555. My Email is omer.mirza1118@hotmail.com

  16. Sreejith S

    Sir,, can we modify this circuit to an automatic clothesline, by replacing the tweeter by a motor ? ? ? ?

  17. ashish butola

    hi i am ashish butola going to make a minor project on the fire alaram. so i need a lot of help to make this project. so i reque4st to all my engineering frind to help me. i will be a great thankfull of your.

  18. Seetharaman

    Hi Mustafa IC1 is wired as an astable oscillator running at around 1kHz. Which gets the power from Q1 & Q2 (a high gain super alfa pair)when drain drop bridges the A & B.

  19. Mustafa

    Please seetharaman i will be very pleased if you can send a detailed description on the components of this rain alarm circuit for example the function of the transistors and the ne555 because i used it as my mini project and i will deliver the final report next week please send it this email km_nab_ban@yahoo.com

  20. Mustafa

    hello seetheraman please i want a replacement for mica with any other material because i didnt find any and how can i home made this rain sensor sheet please send the details to amory_716@yahoo.com

  21. Aas muhammad

    R/Sir
    .. . Please provided me full information about this project and its component list.

    Regards
    Aas mohd

  22. swati sengar

    HI plz send me some more information about this topic and how it works plz rply me as soon as possible

  23. prajakta

    hey i need this concept 4 ma miniproject…….will u plz leav sm info on ma id…2day or 2moro itself….plz give appplictions and related all theory wich i need 4 proj,,,,,,plz reply soon……

  25. krizza lyn

    this circuit may be a great help, pls send the other details/informations of this circuit…on how it works?
    and can i ask something?
    “if you change the value the resistors (any resistor) what is the effect to the circuit?” same with the capacitors?
    thank you so much… i need this by nextweek…
    your reply is really appreciated…

  27. RONIT SHARMA

    I am Ronit of class 12th. It gives me satisfactory knowledge. Morever that’s the perfect project to me.

  28. seetharaman

    Hi Satish and Samson the article is very clear about the operation and the notes gives you other details. there is no need for any other information. If you still have doubts, please ask specific questions it will be answered

  30. SAMSON O

    Hi am a final Year of elect/elect pls I lov this project I want you to send the full detailS of this project to. My box and description and the components thanks

  32. seetharaman

    Hi Rajesh use glass epoxy straight line bread board PCB. use alternate tracks in parallel. use PCB vertically such that tracks are parallel to ground.

  33. rajesh

    hi, I am student of final year,i want to do this rain alarm project as mini project please tell how to make this sensor breifly please reply soon because 25 nov is the last date of submission of the project because this sensor is not availabel in the market. can i use light sensor or any other sesoor ?
    pleae ! thanks

  35. Neha

    hi,pls snd me al details of rain alarm project….hw it works,
    its components name n also describe the details of every components….

  40. Seetharaman

    Hi Neo keep the sensor in an angle so that the water droplets flows out, which will ensure the alarm to get reset soon.

  41. neo

    great dude simple and working. but once the water drops on the sensor it is shorted now even if the rain stops its still shorted due to water around.

  45. Seetharaman

    Hi Zubair R1, 3, 4, 5 are 1/4 watt 5%. C1 & 2 are ceramic disc capacitors. R2 Variable pot used as rheostat. C3 is electrolytic capacitor can be 12V Working voltage or more.

  46. zubair

    I have a question, please tell me the each resistors watts value and which type of capacitors are used and also tell me C3 capacitor volt value.Thanks reply me soon.

  48. Seetharaman

    Hi Tala till the sensor becomes dry the alarm will not stop. Hi Anil once the water drop bridges the sensor it gives the bias to the emtter follower pair that in turn gives supply to 555 oscillator, which produces the sound.

  50. Tiago

    Oi, estou com um pouco de dificuldade em encontrar os capacitores de 0,01uf, teria como substituir por um outro?

  53. ANIL

    hiiiiiii.
    i want a detailed project report on rain alarm for my +2 board exams.
    please help……… please help……………

  55. rupesh

    i tried ur ckt of water alarm.but it is sounding without the droplet.it starts sounding as soon as i plug it.please help.

    1. amony lydia

      hello, pliz send mi full report on this project because am doin it as my final yr project.thank you

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