Thursday, December 26, 2013
Touch Sensitive Light Dimmer
The voltage supply is obtained through R2, C2, D1 and C3 and is about 5.3V below the network potential. The touch sensor that is used to drive the IC is connected at pin 5 through two 4.7MΩ resistors, R5 and R6, in order to ensure user security.
In the adjustable touch lamp schematic we can see three selection connection , for selecting one of three modes of the IC. When the B connection is used, the light will always be ON at the last level that we used. With A or C connection the light will be ON at the minimum intensity. With B or C, the purpose of regulation is reversed with each use.
Schematic of the adjustable light with touch sensor
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| Touch Sensitive Light Dimmer Circuit Diagram |
When the sensor is touched for a short period of time (50 – 400 ms), the lamp will be ON or OFF. If the sensor is touched for a longer period of time it will start the regulation process. Warning! This touch light dimmer circuit has some points where lethal 220V is present, please do not try this project if you are not qualified.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
12V Speed Controller Dimmer
This handy circuit can be used as a speed controller for a 12V motor rated up to 5A (continuous) or as a dimmer for a 12V halogen or standard incandescent lamp rated up to 50W. It varies the power to the load (motor or lamp) using pulse width modulation (PWM) at a pulse frequency of around 220Hz.
SILICON CHIP has produced a number of DC speed controllers over the years, the most recent being our high-power 24V 40A design featured in the March & April 2008 issues. Another very popular design is our 12V/24V 20A design featured in the June 1997 issue and we have also featured a number of reversible 12V designs.
Circuit looks like:
For many applications though, most of these designs are over-kill and a much simpler circuit will suffice. Which is why we are presenting this basic design which uses a 7555 timer IC, a Mosfet and not much else. Being a simple design, it does not monitor motor back-EMF to provide improved speed regulation and nor does it have any fancy overload protection apart from a fuse. However, it is a very efficient circuit and the kit cost is quite low.
Parts layout:
Connection diagram:
There are many applications for this circuit which will all be based on 12V motors, fans or lamps. You can use it in cars, boats, and recreational vehicles, in model boats and model railways and so on. Want to control a 12V fan in a car, caravan or computer? This circuit will do it for you.
Circuit diagram:
The circuit uses a 7555 timer (IC1) to generate variable width pulses at about 210Hz. This drives Mosfet Q3 (via transistors Q1 & Q2) to control the speed of a motor or to dim an incandescent lamp.
Halogen lamps:
While the circuit can dim 12V halogen lamps, we should point out that dimming halogen lamps is very wasteful. In situations where you need dimmable 12V lamps, you will be much better off substituting 12V LED lamps which are now readily available in standard bayonet, miniature Edison screw (MES) and MR16 halogen bases. Not only are these LED replacement lamps much more efficient than halogen lamps, they do not get anywhere near as hot and will also last a great deal longer.
Source: Silicon Chip 15 November 2008