This light sensitive automatic light switch circuit is intended to be connected at the main 220V

supply. The circuit will connect a 220V lamp when at the nightfall and disconnects it in the
morning light. The switching is made without a relay in order to avoid problems with the
electric arc and noise caused by inductance coil and contacts.

The automatic light switch is powered from the 220V network through R10, C4, D3, D2 and
C3. A reference voltage source, D1, feeds with 8.2 V the circuit for measuring light, R2-P1. At
lower light intensity, LDR’s resistance, R2, increases and therefore the P1 voltage falls, so will
fall the gate-source voltage of FET’s T1.

When the switch S1 is closed, R3-C2 time constant makes that the gate voltage of T1 to vary
slower then R2 resistance. This is necessary to prevent the circuit reaction at rapid changes
of ambient light intensity.

Automatic light sensitive switch circuit schematic

T1, T2, R4, R5, R6 and R8 forms a trigger Schmitt. Normally, T1 is open and T2 is blocked.
When the gate voltage of the FET goes below a certain level, T2 starts to conduct and so does
T2 which will provides the necessary gate current to boost the triac Tri1 in order to connect
the load (220V lamp).

Caution! Because there are many points that are connected at 220V it is essential to apply a
good insolation. Do not work on the circuit when is connected to the mains.

Components list C2 = 47µF/16V

R1 = 2.2K C3 = 1000µF/16V
R2 = LDR C4 = 470nF/250V~(630V)
R3 = 150K C5 = 100nF/630V
R4 = 15k D1 = 8.2V zener
R5 = 10k D2 = 1N4001
R6 = 27k D3 = 15V/1W zener
R7 = 560Ω D4 = LED
R8 = 1.2k T1 = BS250
R9 = 1.2M T2 = BC557B
R10 = 470Ω T3 = BC547B
R11 = 100Ω Tri1 = TIC226M
C1 = 4.7µF/16V tantalum F1 = 5A