Maanit arora(141)

Priyanshu verma(176)

Pratham gupta(171)

Manan Manchanda(145)
**Construction, Working, and Principle of an Automatic Street Light Project without IC**

An automatic street light project using analog electronics components provides an energy-efficient
and cost-effective solution for illuminating streets and public areas. This project utilizes discrete
components like transistors, resistors, capacitors, and light-sensitive elements to detect ambient light
levels and control the streetlights accordingly. Here's a detailed explanation of the construction,
working, and principle of this analog automatic street light project.

**Construction:**

1. **Light Sensor:** Start by selecting a light-sensitive component, like a Light-Dependent Resistor

(LDR) or a phototransistor. The LDR is a common choice, as its resistance varies with the ambient
light levels. Place the LDR at the top of the streetlight pole or at a suitable location where it can
receive adequate outdoor light.

2. **Voltage Divider:** Create a voltage divider circuit using the LDR and a fixed resistor. Connect
one terminal of the LDR to the positive supply voltage and the other to one end of the fixed resistor.
The other end of the fixed resistor connects to ground. The junction between the LDR and the
resistor provides an analog voltage that varies with light intensity.

3. **Transistor Switch:** Use a transistor, such as a common NPN type (e.g., 2N3904), to act as a
switch. Connect the base of the transistor to the junction point of the LDR and resistor. The emitter is
grounded, and the collector is connected to the relay coil.

4. **Relay:** Incorporate a relay to control the streetlight. Connect one terminal of the relay coil to
the collector of the transistor and the other terminal to the positive supply voltage. The relay's
common terminal connects to the power source for the streetlight, while the normally open (NO)
contact connects to the streetlight load.

5. **Streetlight Load:** Connect the streetlight load (typically an array of high-power LEDs or an
incandescent bulb) to the normally open (NO) contact of the relay.
6. **Power Supply:** Provide a suitable power supply to the entire circuit, typically in the range of
12-24 volts DC. Ensure it can meet the power requirements of both the control circuit and the
streetlight load.

**Working:**

The operation of this automatic street light project can be summarized as follows:

1. **Light Detection:** During the day or in well-lit conditions, the LDR's resistance is low, causing a
relatively high voltage to appear at the base of the transistor. This forward-biases the transistor,
allowing current to flow from the collector to the emitter.

2. **Relay Activation:** With the transistor conducting, the relay coil is energized, closing the relay's
NO contact. This, in turn, powers the streetlight load, and the streetlight remains off in daylight.

3. **Darkness Detection:** As the ambient light decreases, the LDR's resistance increases, causing
the voltage at the base of the transistor to drop. This reverse-biases the transistor, cutting off current
flow between the collector and the emitter.

4. **Relay Deactivation:** When the transistor turns off, the relay coil de-energizes, and the
normally open (NO) contact opens. Consequently, the streetlight load is disconnected, and the
streetlight turns on in low light or darkness.

**Principle:**

The principle behind this analog automatic street light project is to utilize the change in resistance of
the light-sensitive element (LDR) with varying light levels. This change is used to control the state of a
transistor, which, in turn, controls the relay, ultimately determining whether the streetlight should be
on or off.

In well-lit conditions, the LDR has low resistance, allowing the transistor to conduct and activate the
relay. The streetlight remains off to conserve energy. As darkness falls and the LDR's resistance
increases, the transistor switches off, de-energizing the relay, and the streetlight turns on to provide
illumination during the night.

This analog approach offers a simple and cost-effective solution for automatic street lighting without
relying on integrated circuits. It demonstrates the core principle of using light sensitivity to control an
electrical load based on environmental conditions, promoting energy savings and enhancing safety in
public areas.