Backyard Lamp Circuit using IC CD4060

To begin with, this Backyard Lamp Circuit using IC CD4060 works like smart switch for outside light, as it uses one special sensor, LDR to know if it is day or night.

Hence, when night comes circuit turn ON the backyard lamp by itself and when morning comes with light again it turns OFF the lamp; also it do this with a small chip CD 4060 which work like timer.

Circuit Working:

Parts List:

Components	Values	Quantity
Resistors (All resistors are 1/4 watt unless specified)	470k	1
	100Ω 1W	1
	10M	1
	1M	2
	220Ω	2
	Preset 100k	1
Capacitors	Ceramic 105 400V	1
	Ceramic 0.22µF	1
	Electrolytic 1000µF 40V	1
Semiconductors	IC 4060	1
	LDR	1
	Triac BT136	1
	LED Red 5mm 20mA	1
	Bridge Rectifier 1N4007	4
	Diode 1N4148	1
	Incandescent lamp 60W	1

This backyard lamp circuit turn ON the light at 10 pm by itself and keep it on whole night, as it help keep away night animals and stop thief.

Also, it uses LDR sensor to work like light switch and this LDR know if it is dark or bright.

Here, circuit has no transformer and it uses special power and timer setup.

Parts like C1, D1 to D4 and C2 make the power supply.

C1 is AC capacitor it reduces big AC voltage to a safe level, diodes D1 to D4 change AC to DC and C2 makes DC smooth.

R1 is for safety it removes charge from C1 when OFF and R2 stops big current at start and LDR tell IC1 to start at sunset.

When at dark LDR have high resistance to about 10 mega ohm and when bright its resistance is low like 100 ohm or less.

IC CD4060 is timer chip it have built-in counter and oscillator.

Day time LDR is with low resistance is to keep pin 12 of IC1 high so that the chip does not work and at night time LDR resistance connects to pin 12 which goes low and so the chip start working.

C3, R4 and R5 make the timer and Red LED blink when IC1 start.

With current values pin 1 become high after 4 hours around 10 pm and then Triac turns ON, the lights also turns ON.

At same time D5 diode block the timer to stop IC1 counting more and IC1 stay in ON mode till morning; also in morning LDR see light again and start to reset IC1.

Then it waits for sunset again and we should place the whole circuit inside a safe box while letting the LDR face the sun.

Keep the lamp far away so it does not affect the LDR light sensing.

Furthermore, VR help to set light level where LDR turn circuit ON /OFF and this LDR in black tube which makes VR adjust easily.

Warning:

This circuit connect directly to high voltage without any isolation, never test when the plug is in.

Only touch VR with tool may be with screwdriver with cover and do not touch parts when power is ON.

Note:

Do not use CFL or tube light this is because triac does not gives full power and can break those lights.

are just starting point to build IC 4060 based timer for backyard lamp and we can change R4, R5 and C3 values to get different time delay so that light turns ON when one wants.

How to Build:

To build a Backyard Lamp Circuit using IC CD4060 below mentioned are the steps:

Be Safe First:

• Before starting be sure we know how to work with high voltage (mains power).
• Take all safety steps and work in open place with fresh air and use tools with insulation with no metal touching.

Power Part:

• Next, connect C1 in series with mains to lower voltage.
• Use D1 to D4 to make full wave rectifier which changes AC to DC, also C2 smooth the DC power.
• R1 is bleeder as it remove charge from C1 when circuit is OFF and R2 stop big current when is power ON.

Timer Part:

• LDR tell IC1 CD4060 to start at sunset and this CD4060 is timer chip with counter and oscillator built inside.
• When it get dark the LDR resistance go high as it pull down pin 12 of IC1 and then IC1 start timer using C3, R4 and R5.
• Red LED blink that mean IC1 is running.
• With set values of C3, R4, R5 pin 1 go high after 4 hours we can adjust time with VR.

Lamp Control:

• When pin 1 goes high Triac turn ON the lamp.
• D5 also turn ON and stops IC1 from counting more.
• IC1 stay ON whole night and pin 1 stays high.
• In morning LDR see sunlight and IC1 reset by lamp turning OFF and then wait for sunset again.

Box and Setup:

• Put whole circuit in safe box for shockproof and keep LDR outside to see light.
• Put unit where sun can reach it and also keep lamp far from LDR so lamp light does not get confuse with it.
• Use VR to set how dark it should be before turning ON and by putting LDR inside black tube helps one to adjust it better.

Important Note:

• Also, this circuit uses direct mains power which is dangerous if not handled right, so better to ask expert or someone with experience before one try to build it.

Conclusion:

Overall, Backyard Lamp Circuit using IC CD4060 is easy and useful, as it turn ON the light by itself at night and is good for keeping away night animals and stopping theft.

Therefore, be careful this circuit uses high voltage (mains power) which can be dangerous, so always take care when making or testing it.

References:

Datasheet IC CD4060