Water Level Indicator

Description
This is the circuit diagram of a simple corrosion free water level indicator for home and industries.
In fact the the level of any conductive non corrosive liquids can be measured using this circuit. The
circuit is based on 5 transistor switches. Each transistor is switched on to drive the corresponding
LED , when its base is supplied with current through the water through the electrode probes.

One electrode probe is (F) with 6V AC is placed at the bottom of tank. Next probes are placed step
by step above the bottom probe. When water is rising the base of each transistor gets electrical
connection to 6V AC through water and the corresponding probe. Which in turn makes the
transistors conduct to glow LED and indicate the level of water. The ends of probes are connected to
corresponding points in the circuit as shown in circuit diagram.Insulated Aluminum wires with end
insulation removed will do for the probe. Arrange the probes in order on a PVC pipe according to the
depth and immerse it in the tank.AC voltage is use to prevent electrolysis at the probes. So this
setup will last really long. I guarantee at least a 2 years of maintenance free operation. That’s what I
got and is still going.

Components
T1 – T5 BC 548 or 2N2222 Transistors

R1-R5 2.2K 1/4 W Resistors

R6-R10 22K 1/4 W Resistors

D1 – D5 LED’s ( color your choice)

Notes:
Use a transformer with 6V 500 mA output for power supply. Do not use a rectifier! we need pure AC.
Use good quality insulated Aluminum wire for probes. If Aluminum wires are not available try Steel or
Tin.Copper is the worst. Try the circuit first on a bread board and if not working properly, make
adjustments with the resistance values. This is often needed because conductivity of water changes
slightly from place to place. The type number of the transistors used here are not critical and any
small signal NPN transistor will do the job. Few other suitable type numbers are BC546, BC107,
PN2222, BC337, BF494, ZTX300, BEL187 etc. The circuit can be enclosed in a plastic box with
holes for revealing the LEDs .

Water Level Indicator Circuit Diagram and Sensor

Arrangement.
Water Level Indicator

If you need a fully automatic water level controller circuit then try this circuit Water level controller.
The circuit is fully based primarily on transistors. The sensing section is somewhat similar to this
circuit but there is additional circuitry for switching the pump ON when the water level falls below a
set level and the pump will be switched OFF when the tank is full. Few transistors , one 555IC and
an electromagnetic relay is used for realizing the control section. The circuit is very simple cost
effective , reliable and many guys have successfully assembled it.I am also working on a float type
water level indicator/controller using the float type fuel gauge mechanism used in motor cycles.The
level sensor section is finished and now I am working on the control circuitry. I will add the circuit
here as soon as it is finished

Water Level Indicator

January 25, 2015 By Administrator 2 Comments

The Water Level Indicator employs a simple mechanism to detect and indicate the
water level in an overhead tank or any other water container. The sensing is done by
using a set of nine probes which are placed at nine different levels on the tank walls
(with probe 9 to probe 1 placed in increasing order of height, common probe (i.e. a
supply carrying probe) is placed at the base of the tank). The level 8 represents the
“tank full” condition while level 0 represents the “tank empty” condition.

Do you know – How Water Level Controller Circuit Works using 8051
Microcontroller?

When the water-level is below the minimum detectable level (MDL), the seven segment
display is arranged to show the digit 0, indicating that the tank is empty, when the
water reaches level1 (but is below level2) the connection between the probes gets
completed (through the conducting medium – water) and the base voltage of transistor
increases. This causes the base-emitter junction of transistor to get forward biased, this
switches transistor from cut-off to conduction mode thus PIN (B7) of microcontroller is
pulled to ground hence, the corresponding digit displayed by the seven segment display
is 1. The similar mechanism applies to the detection of all the other levels. When the
tank is full, all input pins of microcontroller become low. This causes the display to show
8 and also in this case a buzzer sound is given, thereby indicating a “tank full”
condition.

Most water level indicators are equipped to indicate and detect only a single level. The
Water Level Indicator implemented here can indicate up to nine such levels and the
microcontroller displays the level number on a seven segment display. So, the circuit
not only capable of cautioning a person that the water tank has been filled up to certain
level, but also indicates that the water level has fallen below the minimum detectable
level. This circuit is important in appliances such as the water cooler where there is a
danger of motor-burnout when there is no water in the radiator used up also it can be
used in fuel level indication.

Also Read the post: Water Level Alarm Using 555 Timer

In this project we show the water level indicator using eight transistors which conducts
as level rises, a buzzer is also added which will automatically start as the water level
becomes full, auto buzzer start with the help of microcontroller. With the help of this
project we not only show the level of water on seven segment display but also indicate
the water full condition using a buzzer.
Water Level Indicator Project Circuit
Features:
 Easy installation.
 Low maintenance.
 Compact elegant design.
 The Automatic water level controller ensures no overflows or dry running of pump
there by saves electricity and water.
 Avoid seepage of roofs and walls due to overflowing tanks.
 Fully automatic, saves man power.
 Consume very little energy, ideal for continuous operation.
 Automatic water level controller provides you the flexibility to decide for yourself the
water levels for operations of pump set.
 Shows clear indication of water levels in the overhead tank.

Water Level Indicator Project Block Diagram:

Water Level Indicator – Block Diagram

Water Level Indicator Circuit Diagram:

Water Level Indicator Circuit Diagram

How to Design Water Level Indicator Project

using AVR Microcontroller?
 A constant 5v power supply is given to the microcontroller and rest of the circuit from
a battery.
 The tank has 9 conductive type sensors (other types of sensors have been mentioned
earlier but in our project only conductive type are used) embedded into it and 8 wires
 of sensors out of 9 are connected to transistors and the 9th is connected to 5v+
supply.
 The use of transistor is it acts as inverter (i.e. in on state gives low voltage at output
and in non conducting state gives high voltage at its output), all transistors outputs
are connected to PORTB of microcontroller.
 Seven segment display is connected to PORTD. It is connected in common cathode
fashion.
The Output for the 7th level is not only shown on seven segment display but also
indicated with a discontinuous buzzer sound.
 Output for the 8th level (i.e. tank full condition) is not only shown in seven segment
display but also indicated with a continuous buzzer sound.

How Water Level Indicator Project Circuit

Works?
The operation of this project is very simple and can be understood easily. In our project
“water level indicator” there are 3 main conditions:

1. There is no water available in the source tank.

2. Intermediate level i.e. either of 3rd to 7th level.
3. There is ample amount of water available in the source tank.
So let us discuss more about these 3 conditions

CONDITION 1: Water not available

When the tank is empty there is no conductive path between any of the 8 indicating
probes and the common probe (which is connected to 5v+ supply) so the transistor
base emitter region will not have sufficient biasing voltage hence it remains in cut off
region and the output across its collector will be Vc approximately 4.2v. As in this case
the microcontroller is used in the active low region (which means it considers 0-2 volts
for HIGH and 3-5 volts for LOW) now the output of transistor which is 4.2v
approximately will be considered as LOW by the microcontroller and hence the default
value given by microcontroller to the seven segment display is 0 which indicates as the
tank is empty.

CONDITION 2: Intermediate levels

Now as the water starts filling in the tank a conductive path is established between the
sensing probes and the common probe and the corresponding transistors get sufficient
biasing at their base, they starts conducting and now the outputs will be Vce (i.e. 1.2v-
1.8v) approximately which is given to microcontroller. Here the microcontroller is
programmed as a priority encoder which detects the highest priority input and displays
corresponding water level in the seven segment display. In this project while the water
level reaches the 7th level i.e. last but one level along with display in seven segment a
discontinuous buzzer is activated which warns user that tank is going to be full soon.
CONDITION 3: Water full
When the tank becomes full, the top level probe gets the conductive path through water
and the corresponding transistor gets into conduction whose output given to
microcontroller with this input microcontroller not only displays the level in seven
segment display but also activates the continuous buzzer by which user can understand
that tank is full and can switch off the motor and save water.
Water Level Indicator Project Working Flow Chart:

Figure 4.2.1 Flow chart

Flow chart gives the clear and easy understanding of the project. The process goes on
as follows:
The microcontroller checks for tank full condition, if the condition is satisfied it indicates
the same on display unit and also sounds a buzzer if the condition fails it checks again
and this process continues and the corresponding level is indicated in the display unit.

Do you know - How to Interface Seven Segment Display to 8051

Microcontroller?

Water Level Indicator Project Applications:

 Automatic Water level Controller can be used in Hotels, Factories, Homes
Apartments, Commercial Complexes, Drainage, etc., It can be fixed for single phase
motor, Single Phase Submersibles, Three Phase motors. (For 3Æ and Single Phase
Submersible Starter is necessary) and open well, Bore well and Sump. We can control
two motor and two sumps and two overhead tanks by single unit.
 Automatic water level controller will automatically START the pump set as soon as
the water level falls below the predetermined level (usually 1/2 tank) and shall
SWITCH OFF the pump set as soon as tank is full.
 Fuel level indicator in vehicles.
 Liquid level indicator in the huge containers in the companies.

Water Level Controller using 8051

Posted on August 7, 2012 by admin in 8051 projects with 162 Comments

Water level controller using 8051.

A water level controller using 8051 is shown in this article. A lot of water level controller projects
have been published in this website but this is the first one based on a 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. The level of the over head tank is indicated
using 5 LED’s and the pump is switched OFF when the over head tank is full. The pump is not
allowed to start if the water level in the sump tank is low and also the pump is switched OFF when
the level inside the sump tank goes low during a pumping cycle.

Note:- We are selling a Project Kit for this Water Level Controller which can be bought from our
Online Store. The project kit is a modified version of the project shown above. This Water Level
Controller project kit uses 4 float switches to measure water level. The status of water level in the
tank and status of the motor is displayed using an LCD module. This system monitors the water level
of the tank and automatically switches ON the motor whenever tank is empty. The motor is switched
OFF when the overhead tank or container is FULL.
 Th
e use of float switches makes the circuit rugged and ensures a maintenance free operation over a
very long period of time.The project kit is available in plug and play form and do it yourself form. A
12-0-12 mains transformer is also available with the kit and it is not shown in the figure below.

Main article continues…………….

The level sensor probes for the overhead tank are interfaced to the port 2 of the microcontroller
through transistors. Have a look at the sensor probe arrangement for the overhead tank in Fig1. A
positive voltage supply probe goes to the down bottom of the tank. The probes for sensing 1/4, 1/2,
3/4 and FULL levels are placed with equal spacing one by one above the bottom positive probe.
Consider the topmost (full level) probe, its other end is connected to the base of transistor Q4
through resistor R16. Whenever water rises to the full level current flows into the base of transistor
Q4 which makes it ON and so its collector voltage goes low. The collector of Q4 is connected to
P2.4 and a low voltage at P2.4 means the over head tank is not FULL. When water level goes
below the full level probe, the base of Q2 becomes open making it OFF. Now its collector voltage
goes high and high at P2.4 means the tank is not full. The same applies to other sensor probes (3/4,
1/2, 1/4) and the microprocessor understands the current level by scanning the port pins P2.4 ,P2.5,
P2.6 and P2.7. All these port pin are high (all sensor probes are open) means the tank is empty.

Port pin P0.5 is used to control the pump. When ever it is required start pumping, the controller
makes P0.5 low which makes transistor Q6 ON which in turn activates the relay K1 that switches the
pump. Also the LED d6 glows indicating the motor is ON. LED D7 is the low sump indicator. When
the water level in the sump tank goes low, the controller makes P0.7 low which makes LED D7 to
glow. The circuit diagram of the water level controller is shown in the figure below.

USES

 IT IS USED IN HOUSES.
 USED IN SWIMMING POOLS.
 USED IN FACTORIES.
 USED IN DAMS WHERE ITS USED THE FLOW OF WATER.
 INTRODUCTION

To have the knowledge of the complete or partial filling of

water or any other liquid and to take the information of consume
liquid or water and electricity.
 COMPONENTS

 BATTERY VOLT

 P.C.B. (PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD)

 LED RED

 LED GREEN

 LED YELLOW
 AIM

With the help of this circuit we can get the indicator of water

level and also save electricity.

 WORKING

By this project circuit we get correct information regarding the

water in three stages i.e. at the bottom, water level at medium place,
water level at the top level. When the water level at the bottom, then
the red led indicate the level of water. When the water fill up to the
center place of tank then the green led indicate the level of water.
After filling of water up to the medium the red led off. When the
water level up to the top level, the green led indicate the light but at
the top level, it touch the terminal c, then at once the yellow led
indicate light & at this point the red and green light off
automatically.

When the water level is in between a & b the red led on & give
light because red colour led get positive 6v supply direct by an
negative get supply by 680 r .so red light indicate filling water.
 APPLICATION

This circuit is being tested in the technical lab by the T.V.

engineers. It is very useful for getting the knowledge of water or any
other liquid by indicating the quantity by indicator.

The circuit can be use in water, cooler, water tanker filled at

high place occur the roof. It may also be use for measuring the over
loading river. The over flooded tank or river may be known by led or
by speaker sound.
 ADVANTAGES

1- By getting the knowledge of water or any other liquid by

indicating the quantity by indicator.
2- Use in water, cooler, water tanker filled at high places occur
the roof.

3- Used for measuring the occur flooding river, the over flooded
tank or river may be know by led or by speaker sound.

Therefore, it is very advantageous circuit.

 DISADVANTAGES

1- If the circuit is not properly checked, tested and fitted to the

tanker then in that condition it may not properly work in that
situation and may fail to indicate the overflow.

2- If wiring in the circuit is not properly tested and fixed then it

may also cause to have electric shocks sometimes.
 PRECAUTIONS

 First of all check all the components as per circuit

 Use IC base for mounting of the ICs otherwise IC may
damage due to current leakage of soldering iron.
 Please use resistance of the exact values as given in the
circuit.
 Check the +ive and -ive terminals of L.E.D While mounting
on the PCB.
 You should connect the "Q" connection along with metal
between button and upper layer of the tank.
 DESCRIPTION

1.) BATTERY VOLT: Used to pass the electric current to the

circuit.

2.) PCB: It is printed circuit board which is used to construct over

the circuit.

3.) LED : Light emitting diode .It is a forward biased diode the
energy produced by recombination of electrons and holes at the
junction can be emitted as light .Such a diode is called lead .the diode
are made form the semiconductor gallium, arsenide, or indium
phosphide. In the dry cell charger LED will emit light when the
current is switched on.
 PRECAUTIONS

1) The wires which are to be attached their end-points must

be cleaned using blade etc. so as to have proper
attachment wherever required.

2) For soldering the excellent quality of the soldering

wire must be used .

3) All the resistance , capacitors , semiconductor values must

be used carefully so as to avoid current flow error.

4) All the components must be used with new conditions so

as to obtain the very proper results .

5) Before passing the D.C. to the circuit , the

connections ,components fixations at proper locations,
component values must be checked carefully to the circuit
design which must be designed in the very beginning .
 COMPONENTS

 BATTERY

 L.E.D. (LIGHT EMITTING DIODE)

 PCB (PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD)

 TRANSISTOR

 RESISTANCE

 SPEAKER
 COMPONENT DESCRIPTION

RESISTANCE : Resisters are used in the circuit so as to control the

flow of the current at different places. Different resistance are used
at different locations as per need and capability, so as to protect and
enable the circuit to work perfectly, as resistance decreases the
voltage to minimum requirement.

P.C.B. : It is printed circuit board, it is used to create circuit.

TRANSISTOR : It is an integrated circuit .With the help of which it

becomes easier to make the large sized circuit as small as possible,
just by fixing the number of components over single wafer .

SPEAKER : A device through which we hear the audible node of

sound is called speaker.

BATTERY: Used to charge the circuit.

 COMPONENTS

 BATTERY

 PCB ( PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD )

 TRANSISTOR

 RESISTANCE

 SPEAKER

 CAPACITOR
 COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION

 BATTERY : used to pass the electric current to the circuit.

 PCB: printed circuit board, it is used to print the circuit.
 RESISTANCE: resisters are used in the circuit so as to control
the flow of the current at different places. Different resistance
are used at different locations as per need and capability, so as
to protect and enable the circuit to work perfectly, as
resistance decreases the voltage to minimum requirement.
 TRANSISTOR : it is an integrated circuit .with the help of
which it becomes easier to make the large sized circuit as small
as possible, just by fixing the number of components over
single wafer .
 SPEAKER : a device through which we hear the audible
node of sound is called speaker.
 CAPACITOR
A capacitor is a device used for storing a large quantity of
charge and so possesses a large capacitance. It is used to check
the capacity of continuity checker.
 WORKING

By this project circuit we get correct information regarding the

water in three stages i.e. at the bottom, water level at medium place,
water level at the top level. When the water level rises up at the top
level, then the transistor on and the speaker can beep. And then the
water falls down, this beeper is not speak.