Simple Tilt Sensor Switch Circuit control ON/OFF of LED or buzzer, also this tilt sensor work like small seesaw switch.
In this circuit , inside a sensor there can be a small metal ball.
When sensor stand straight the ball touch two points and then the current can pass and when sensor tilts the ball then it move away and the current stops.
Therefore, this way the circuit knows if sensor is straight or tilted.
How Mercury Tilt Switch Works:
This project uses tilt sensor and a tool to detect tilt of a circuit; inside a sensor small free ball move around.
When the sensor stands straight, the ball sits on the metal plate and forms a connection like a small bridge; current then passes through and the two ends of the sensor connect in this way.
When sensor tilts the ball roll away with no contact and the current stops, so sensor work like ON/OFF switch by angle.
Circuit works like this:
If sensor is straight then current flows and the device gets ON and if sensor tilt the current stops and the device gets OFF.
As a result, this circuit is very useful for things that can fall and cause danger; example is the heater, heater get hot and can burn if falls down; so we do not want heater to tilt!
Using tilt sensor we can make heater turn OFF if it falls or burns, also tilt sensor is simple and good for this job but other ways also exist for safety shutoff.
People say tilt sensor is poor mans accelerometer but not true, because tilt sensor give ON/OFF details with no computer needed.
Accelerometer give detailed data and needs computer to understand, also tilt sensor is easy tool for simple job which is not worse but just different.
Tilt Sensor Circuit Working:
Part List:
This is simple circuit using tilt sensor:
How it work:
When we plug in the device and keep it straight, the small metal ball touches the internal contact like a small ON/OFF switch; also this allows current to flow and turns the LED ON.
Also, if we tilt the device the ball moves away with connection break and with no current, so LED turns OFF.
Finally, LED work like small flashlight and it only glow when device stays upright.
Formulas and Calculations:
This is simple circuit layout using tilt sensor switch and with basic formula:
Resistor R:
Use ohms law to find resistor R to keep LED safe:
Formula:
R = (Vsupply − VLED) / ILED
where:
- Vsupply is 3V with power supply
- VLED is 2V with LED forward voltage
- ILED is 20mA with LED current
Now put values:
R = (3V − 2V) / 20mA = 1V / 0.02A = 50Ω
But we often use 470Ω resistor and it is common and also keeps current safe.
Important:
Connect LED and tilt sensor the right way, like connect LED anode to (+) and cathode to ground; therefore this gives proper LED brightness and makes circuit work right.
How to Build Tilt Sensor Circuit:
To build a Simple Tilt Sensor Switch Circuit follow the below mentioned steps:
- First, gather the components as mentioned in the above tilt sensor circuit.
- Next, connect one leg of tilt sensor to +3V of battery and connect other leg of sensor to 470Ω resistor.
- After that, connect other end of resistor to anode (+) of red LED and then connect cathode (−) of LED to battery negative.
Safety Tips:
- Check how sensitive our tilt sensor is and if we need very accurate tilt angle then maybe use different sensor.
- Also, these are just basic tips but for full safety read part datasheets and general electronics safety information.
Conclusion:
This Simple Tilt Sensor Switch Circuit uses tilt sensor as main part; when sensor tilts it cuts power and works like switch.
Furthermore, it is good for things like heaters and if they fall the circuit turns them OFF, hence, easy way to add safety shutoff using tilt sensor.
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