Metal Detector Circuit Diagram Using IC555

Description
Figure shows the circuit of the Metal Detector . Here I have used a coil and some
transistor switching and a 555 mono stable multi vibrator for making this circuit . Use a 22
nH toroid coil at the L1 .Part list and applications are showing below .
Part List
Component No: Value Usage
R1
1.5k Oscillation
R2

10k

Base Biasing

R3

100K Emitter Load

R4

10K

Base Biasing

R5

1K

Current Limiting

C1

103PF Discharging

C2

103PF Noise Grounding

C3

100PF Oscillation

C4

1MF

Q1

BC548 Switching

Q2

BC548 Switching

L1

22nH Oscillation

B1

6V

U1

NE555 Mono Stable

Coupling

Sound

Applications: Metal Detector

Rain alarm circuit

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.

Notes.

Assemble the circuit on a good quality PCB or common board.

For assembling the sensor cut a 22 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.

Water level controller circuit

Description.
A simple but very reliable and effective water level controller circuit diagram is shown here.
The circuit uses 6 transistors, 1 NE555 timer IC, a relay and few passive components. The
circuit is completely automatic which starts the pump motor when the water level in the over
head tank goes below a preset level and switches OFF the pump when the water level in the
over head tank goes above the full level.
Probe D is positioned at the bottom level of the tank while probes A, B and C are placed at
full, half and medium levels of the tank respectively. The level sensing part of the circuit is
built around transistors Q1, Q2 and Q3. When water level is below the quarter level probes
A, B and C are open and the transistor Q1, Q2 and Q3 remains OFF. When the water level
rises and touches the probes the corresponding transistors gets biased and switches ON.
Resistors R1, R2, R3 limit the bases current of corresponding transistors while resistors R4,
R5, R6 limit their collector current. LEDs D1, D2 and D3 provide a visible indication of the
current water level.
When the water level goes below medium, transistor Q2 gets switches OFF and its collector
goes positive. Collector of Q2 is connected to the base of transistor Q6 and as result transistor
Q6 gets switched ON. Transistor Q5 will be also ON because its base in connected to the
collector of Q4 which is presently OFF. As a result when the water level goes below medium
relay K1 gets energized and the pump is driven. The relay is wired in the latching mode so
that even if the water level goes above medium level the pump remains ON so that the tank
gets completely filled. For wiring the relay in latching mode one set of N/O contacts is used.
When relay is activated these contacts close which forms a short across collector and emitter
of Q6. This makes the state of Q6 irrelevant to the operation of the relay and the relay
remains ON as long as the transistor Q5 is ON. The only way to make the relay OFF is by
switching OFF Q5 and it is done automatically when the water level reaches the full level.
Collector of transistor Q1 is connected to the trigger pin (pin2) of IC1. When the water level
reaches full level the transistor Q1 gets switched ON. As a result its collector goes to ground
level which triggers the IC1 which is wired as a monostable. The output of IC1 goes high for
about 1S. This makes the transistor Q4 ON for the same time and transistor Q5 whose base is
connected to the collector of Q4 is switched OFF cutting the supply to the relay. This makes
the motor OFF and it remains OFF until the water level again goes below the medium level.
Resistor R8 is a pull up resistor for the trigger pin of the NE555. Capacitor C3 couples the
collector of Q1 to the trigger pin of NE555 and facilitates edge triggering whenever the
transistor Q1 goes ON. A monostable circuit can be made edge triggered by connecting the
trigger signal to the trigger input pin through a capacitor. The capacitor blocks DC and passes
sudden changes. The circuit used here is termed as negative edge triggered because the
monostable is triggered when ever the trigger input signal falls. R10 and R12 limits the
collector current of Q4 and Q5 respectively while R9 and R11 limits their base current. R13
limits the base current of Q6 while D4 is a freewheeling diode which protects the switching
transistors from voltage transients.

Circuit diagram.

The probes can be arranged as shown in the diagram above. Insulated Aluminium wires can
be used as the probes. The probes can be binded on a plastic rod and should be erected
vertically inside the tank. The length of the probes wires and the supporting plastic rod must
be chosen according to the depth of the tank. Since DC is used in the level sensing section
electrolysis will occur in the probes and so the probes require small maintenances in 1 or 2
month intervals. Using AC in the sensing section will completely eliminates the chance of
electrolysis and I am presently working on such a circuit. You can expect it soon.
Notes.

Use 12V DC for powering the water level controller circuit.

The relay I used was a 5V/220 ohm relay and thats why the current
limits resistor R12 was added in the circuit. If you use a 12V relay then
the R12 can be shorted.
Do not use a relay that consumes 500mA. Maximum collector current
PN2222 can handle is
600mA.
Use insulated single strand aluminium wires for probe and they can be
arranged in the tank as per the probe arrangement diagram.
Use a holder for mounting NE555.
The circuit can be assembled on a Perf board.
K1 must be a double pole relay.
The load current, voltage ratings of the relay must be selected according
to the ratings of the pump motor.
The type number of the transistors used here are not very critical and
you can do suitable replacements if any type number is not available.
Most of the components required for this project can be found inside your
scrap box.

Power supply for this

circuit.

A classic 12V regulated DC supply based on 7812 is shown above. A power ON indicator
LED is also added in the circuit.Resistor R13 limits the LED current. A small aluminium
heatsink can be fitted to the 7812 for better saftey.Small Al heatsinks for TO-220 package are
readily available in the market.