METAL DETECTOR USING 555 TIMER

A B.Tech project submitted in for the degree of B.Tech in Electrical Engineering

MAULANA ABUL KALAM AZAD UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

By

Tuhina Rana (10701615062)

Subhasis Das (10701615051)

J. Alekhya (10701615026)

Pritam Kumar Adhikary (10701615036)

Under the supervision of

Debi Prasad Chakraborty, Assistant Professor

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT, KOLAGHAT

(Affiliated to MAKAUT, formerly known as WBUT)

May, 2019
 CERTIFICATE OF RECOMMENDATION
This is to certify that the project entitled “Metal detector using 555
timer” submitted by Tuhina Rana (10701615062), Subhasis
Das(10701615051), J. Alekhya(10701615026), Pritam Kumar Adhikary
(10701615034) for the award of Bachelor of Technology in Electrical
Engineering at College of Engineering and Management, Kolaghat
under Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of technology (formerly
known as West Bengal University of Technology) is absolutely based
upon their own work under the supervision of Prof. Debiprasad
Chakraborty and that neither their project nor any part of the project
has been submitted for any Degree/Diploma or any other academic
award anywhere before.

……………………………. ………………………………
Shankar Prasad Ghosh Debi Prasad Chakraborty
HOD, Electrical Engineering (Asst. Professor)
Supervisor
 CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
The fore going project entitled “Metal Detector using 555 timer” is
hereby approved as a creditable study of B.Tech in electrical engineering
and presented in a manner satisfactory to warrant its acceptance as a
prerequisite to the degree for which it has been submitted. It is
understood that by this approval the undersigned do not necessarily
endorse or approve any statement made, opinion expressed or
conclusion there in but approve this thesis only for the purpose for
which it is submitted.

Committee for evolution of the thesis:

:____________________________

:____________________________

:____________________________
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Our special thanks of gratitude go to Prof. Debi Prasad Chakraborty,
Assistant Professor (EE Dept.) for his guidance and support in our
project.
We would like extend our gratitude to Prof. Shankar Prasad Ghosh,
Assistant Professor and H.O.D (EE Dept.) for her constant support
throughout the preparation of this project.
Special thanks are reserved for Prof. Animesh Karmakar, Assistant
Professor, Prof. Tirtha Sankar Daphadar, Assistant Professor and Mr.
Abhaya Adak, Technical Assistant, for their generous help and co-
operation.
 CONTENTS

 Abstract
 Aim of the project
 Introduction
 555 Timer
 Metal Detector basics
 Block diagram
 Description of each block
 Circuit diagram
 Components required
 Description of the components
 Working principle
& Calculation of Duty cycle
 Result and conclusion
 Further refinement
 References
ABSTRACT

Now a day, the metal detector is used to identify metallic devices for

security purpose. To avoid any illegal or unauthorized entry of metallic

objects gun, knives etc. A security system is developed by using

proximity sensor which is named as metal detector.

The metal detectors works when the electromagnetic field is transmitted

from the search coil into the earth. Metals in the electromagnetic field

will become strengthened and resend an electromagnetic of their own.

The metal detector comprises search coil which receives the

retransmitted field and alarms the user by generating a response of the

metal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF OUR PREVIOUS PROJECT:

ELECTRONIC MANUALLY CONTROLLED SOFT STARTER

ABSTRACT:
 In a single phase induction motor of rating beyond a certain limit

of withstand take very large currents and low power factor while being

started directly from a single phase supply. In order to mitigate the

adverse effects of starting torque transients and high inrush currents in

induction motors, a popular method is to use electronically controlled

starting voltage using TRIAC. Normally electronic soft starters are used

for avoiding this problem and to achieve smooth starting of large

capacity induction motors. Electronic soft starters use ac voltage

controllers to start the induction motor and to adjust its speed.

The electronic soft starter is connected in motor drive during

starting condition only and once the motor get its rated speed then the

starter is disconnected from the main motor system so that the motor

gets protected.

AIM OF THE PROJECT

The aim of this project is to design an electronic device which can

provide a smooth start to a single phase induction motor. The starting

current magnitude should be such that it does not cause the overheating

of the induction motor and does not cause dip in the source voltage
beyond a permissible value. An induction motor during the initial

starting condition draws up much higher current than its capacity and the

motor initially reaches the full speed. This results in mechanical jerk and

high electrical stress on the windings of motor. Sometimes the winding

may get burnt. The induction motor should start smoothly and gradually

catch up the speed for safer operation. This project is designed to give a

soft start to the induction motor based on SCR firing angle, triggered by

heavily delayed firing angle during starting and then gradually reducing

the delay till it reaches zero voltage triggering. This results in low

voltage during start and then gradually to full voltage. Thus the motor

starts slowly and then slowly picks up to full speed.

SOFT START BASICS

There are two important reasons behind using reduced voltage soft

starter. The first reason is to limit the inrush current that a motor draws

from the utility when it is first started. This is a concern because the

large starting current may cause the line voltage to dip, impacting other

loads that are sensitive to low voltages. There may also be a concern if
the utility limits the peak current that can be drawn or charges for

exceeding the limit.

The second is reduced mechanical system stress. When the large

inrush current occurs, there are significant magnetic forces created in the

motor windings. These cause some parts of the winding to be attracted to

each other and to other parts repulsed. This mechanical shock can

damage the winding insulation leading to early failure. The mechanical

shock of the high torques produced with the large starting current can

cause failure of the system elements such as motor shaft, belting, gear

box and drive train and damage to fragile product.

WORKING PRINCIPLE
 The 12 V ac coming from transformer secondary is converted into

12 V dc supply by using the bridge rectifier and the capacitor and

voltage regulator circuit. A blocking diode is placed after the

bridge rectifier to separate pulsating dc and the pure dc.

 Another bridge rectifier is made to get the pulsating dc. This

pulsating dc is used to detect the zero crossing point. LM 339 IC is

used for this purpose. The pulsating dc is given to the negative

terminal of first comparator. A fixed voltage is given to the

positive terminal. An IN 4148 diode is connected. So 0.7 voltages

appears at the positive terminal. When 0.7 volt is greater than

pulsating dc, the output is one, otherwise the output is zero. So a

square wave is generated.

 This output is given to the base of a NPN transistor BC 547. A

capacitor of 2.2uF is connected to it. When output of LM 339 is

one, the transistor turns on and the capacitor which is otherwise

charged gets discharged. Capacitor charges during the time the

transistor remains off. A ramp or saw tooth waveform is

generating.
 This saw tooth waveform is again compared with affixed voltage

in LM 339. Saw tooth wave form is given to the negative terminal

of LM 339 and fixed voltage, which is tapped from 12 V dc using

potential divider, is given to positive terminal. When fixed voltage

is greater than ramp voltage, the output is one, otherwise it is zero.

So, again a square wave is coming. By using a variable potential

divider, the voltage level can be increased or decreased.

 The output of LM 339 is given to a PNP transistor BC 558. It

inverts the previous waveform.

 The output from transistor is given to pin 1 of Opto isolator MOC

3021. When it gets positive pulse that is logic one the diode inside

the MOC 3021 conducts, then the 6 and 4 pin ,which are connected

through a diac comes close and the triac gets triggered and the

motor or lamp gets that type of power. Once the triac is triggered is

conducts for whole half cycle. We can gradually increase the firing

angle by increasing the voltage level giving to LM 339. As the

motor gets full power it is disconnected from the control circuit.

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT

The main aim of the project is to design a simple metal detector using

the principle of magnetic flux. This circuit does not use any type of

sensor. We are using 555 timers and an inductor coil. The circuit itself

acts as a sensor to detect metal. Whenever a metal is bought near the

inductor coil, there is a change in sound coming from the speaker.

Whenever the metal is removed there is no such change in sound. As the

magnetic flux passes through some opaque objects such as plastic, cloth

etc. by using this metal detector we can detect any hidden metal objects.

INTRODUCTION
A metal detector is an electronic instrument which detects the presence

of metal nearby. Metal detectors are useful for finding metal inclusions

hidden within objects, or metal objects buried under ground. They often

consist of a handled unit with a sensor probe which can be swept over

the ground or other objects. If the sensor comes near a piece of metal

this is indicated by a changing tone in earphones, or a needle moving on

an indicator. Usually the device gives some indication of distance; the

closer the metal is, the higher is the tone in the earphone or the higher

the needle goes. Another common type are stationary “Walk through”

metal detectors used for security screening at access points in prisons,

courthouses and airports to detect concealed metal weapons on a

person’s body.

555 Timers
A popular analog-digital integrated circuit is the 555 timer. This 8 pin IC

consists of combination of comparators and digital flip flop. A series

connection of three resistors forms a voltage divider circuit to set the

reference voltage levels for the two comparators as 2Vcc/3 and Vcc/3.

The output of these comparators set or reset the flip-flop whose one

output (complement output) is the brought out through an output

amplifier stage and another output (true output) operates a transistor

inside the IC; the collector of the transistor is being driven low to

discharge a timing capacitor which is connected externally.

 The pin configuration is:

  The internal circuitry is:

There are three modes of operation of a 555 timer:

1. Monostable mode

2. Bi-stable mode

3. Astable mode

Here we are using astable mode of operation.

 Astable Multi Vibrator using IC 555:

The circuit diagram of astable multivibrator is:

The internal circuitry and output waveform is:
Circuit operation of astable mode:

When Q is low, i.e. the output of astable circuit is high, the transistor is

cut-off and the capacitor C is charging through the total resistance

(R1+R2) C toward Vcc. Due to the charging of capacitor, the threshold

voltage (at pin 6) increases and when this voltage exceeds +2/3Vcc, the

upper comparator gives a high output and this sets the flip flop (Q=1,

Qc=0). With Q=1(high), the transistor goes into saturation and pin 7 is

shorted to ground (as VCE (sat) approximately = 0). Now the capacitor C

starts to discharge through resistance R2 with a time constant R2C.

During discharge voltage across capacitor (pin 2 and 6) decreases and

when this voltage becomes slightly less than +1/3 Vcc, the lower

comparator provides a high output which resets the flip flop (Q=0, Q c

=1). Capacitance C charges again and the process will continue. So, the

voltage across capacitor C is rising and falling exponentially and the

output of astable multivibrator a rectangular waveform will be

generated.
METAL DETECTOR BASICS

The simplest form of a metal detector consists of an oscillator producing

an alternating current that passes through a coil producing an alternating

magnetic field. If a piece of electrically conductive metal is close to the

coil, eddy currents will be induced in the metal, and this produces a

magnetic field of its own. If another coil is used to measure the magnetic

field (acting as a magnetometer), the change in the magnetic field due to

the metallic object can be detected.

BLOCK DIAGRAM

DESCRIPTION OF EACH BLOCK

 Supply:
 Supply block represents the 230 V AC supply. The supply is given

to the Transformer block where it is stepped down to working

voltage and to the triac.

 Transformer:

The transformer block contains a single phase step down

transformer. It is used to step down the supply voltage to working

voltage, that is, 12 V ac.

 Bridge Rectifier:

This block consists of a single phase full wave bridge rectifier. It is

made up of four diodes connected in the form of Wheatstone

bridge. This bridge rectifier is used to convert 12 V ac voltages

into 12 V dc voltages.

 Voltage Regulator:

This block consists of a voltage regulator IC and filter capacitors.

The bridge rectifier transforms the input ac voltage into a pulsating

 dc. The filter capacitors suppress the fluctuating ac components

and the regulator provides a stable dc voltage which is independent

of load current temperature and ac input voltage.

 Timer Block:

This block consists of a 8 pin 555 timer and capacitors and

resistors are connected to it operate it in astable mode.

Potentiometer disconnected to vary the duty cycle LEDs are

connected to show observe the change in duty cycle

 Speaker: An 8 ohm speaker is connected to the output of timer. It

acts as a buzzer and the frequency of its sound changes with the

change in duty cycle. A capacitor is connected to it.

 Air core inductor coil: An air core inductor coil is also connected

at the output of the timer. This coil indicates the presence of metal.

When a metal is brought close to the coil, the sound of buzzer

changes.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
COMPONENTS REQUIRED
 Name of component Quantity
 Transformer:
0-12V DC 1
 Diode:
IN4007 5
 Capacitor:
470 uF 1
10 uF 2
2.2 uF 2
1 nF 1
 Resistance:
1K 3
10 K 1 or 2
 Potentiometer:
10 K 1 (optional)
 LEDs:
Blue 1
Red 2
 IC 7812 1
 IC 555 Timer:
NE 555 1
 Speaker:
8 ohms 1
 Air core inductor coil 1
 Vero board 3 piece
 Wires -
 Connector pin 1
 47 K resistor 1(optional)

DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS
  Transformer : 0-12 V step down transformer
 IN4007 diode: 1A general purpose silicon rectifier diode. Its
blocking voltage varies from 50 volts to 1000 volts
 470 uF capacitor: Radial electrolytic capacitor, 470uF/25 V; +-
15% tolerance; +85 deg Celsius.
 10 uF capacitor: 10 uF/16V electrolytic capacitor
 2.2 uF capacitor: 2.2 uF/63V electrolytic capacitor
 1 nF capacitor : 1 nF is a paper capacitor that is it has no polarity
 7812 IC : 7812 IC is 12 V, 1.5 voltage regulator

 NE 555 Timer: It is an 8 pin IC.

WORKING PRINCIPLE

 12 V DC supply is coming from transformer secondary. The bridge

rectifier transforms this ac voltage into pulsating dc voltage. The

input of filter contains dc with fluctuating ac component. The filter

 suppresses the ripples. The output from the filter can vary with

changes in ac supply voltage or load resistance. The voltage

regulator 7812 eliminates this fluctuation and provides constant dc

output voltage.

 The regulated 12 V dc supply is given to pin 8 of NE 555 timer

 Calculation of duty cycle of astable multivirator:

The maximum voltage across the capacitance is 2/3Vcc. After

discharging capacitance holds voltage 1/3 Vcc. Hence ½ of the

voltage across capacitance decreases. During discharge one can

write:
 VC=Vcc exp (-t/RC)

Now ½ Vcc= Vcc exp(-t/RC)

Or, t= -RC (1/2)= RC ln2

So, t=0.69 RC

During charging (R1+R2) is responsible and R2 is responsible for

discharging.

Ton =0.69 (R1+R2) C

And Toff = 0.69 R2C

So, total time period of output signal is

T= Ton+Toff

=0.69(R1+R2) C + 0.69R2C

=0.69(R1+2R2) C

Frequency of output signal is

f=1/T= 1/0.69(R1+2R2) C =1.45/(R1+2R2)C

Duty Cycle, D =Ton/Toff *100% = R1+R2/ (R1+2R2) * 100%

Here R = 10K, R= 10 K, C=10 uF

 The timer output is given to the speaker as well as to the air core

inductor coil. The speaker is connected between pin 3 and pin 1 of

 timer through a capacitor. The coil is connected between pin 3 and

pin 2 or 6 of timer through capacitor. The pulse generating from

timer produces alternating current that passes through the coil

producing and alternating magnetic field. If apiece of electrically

conductive metal is close to the coil, eddy currents will be induced

in the metal, and this produces a magnetic field of its own. This

field interrupts the flow of alternating current and hence the

frequency of speaker. So, there is change in sound from the

speaker coming from the speaker which indicates the presence of

metal. If we place anon metal like plastic close to the coil there

will be no change in the magnetic field and hence no change in the

sound ofspeaker.

RESULT AND CONCLUSION

In this circuit we have used a variable resistor between pin 8 1nd 7 of

timer to vary the duty cycle as well the frequency. When we touch a

metal to the coil there is a small change in sound. This metal detector is

not very powerful as we have used a normal thick copper coil. The

sensitivity of this metal detector can be increased by using thin copper

coil with approximately 150 turns eliminating the air gap between the

turns completely.

FURTHER REFINEMENT

Modern top models are fully computerized, using integrated circuit

technology to allow the user to set sensitivity, discrimination, track

speed, threshold volume, notch filters, etc. and hold these parameters for

future use. Compared to just a decade ago detectors are lighter deeper-

seeking, use less battery power and discriminate better

REFERENCES
1. Analog electronic circuit by Maitreyi ray Kanjhilal
2. Thesis paper by Shanjedul Hassan
3. Power Electronics by P.S. Bhimra
4. Electrical Drives by G.K. Dubey
5. International journal of Engineering Research Volume No. 5 Issue:
special 5 pp: 99-1128
6. Soft Starter of single phase pump motor, S.A. Rai, J.O. Dubey, A
Gupta, University of Mumbai