Proceedings of MUCEET2009
Malaysian Technical Universities Conference on Engineering and Technology
June 20-22, 2009, MS Garden,Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Automatic Infrared Light Switching System
Mohd Norhafiz Norudin, Ranjit Singh, and Wong Yan Chiew

Abstract - This paper presents an Automatic
Infra Red Light Switching System which combines the electrical and electronics technologies. It is a major task for every household, company and industry to have a safe system and energy saving system installed on their buildings. Furthermore, automatic light switching will lead to energy saving and efficient energy usage which could benefit individuals and the whole country. Along with this, the system is developed to have a some safe enviroment without putting life on danger when switching ‘ON’ or ‘OFF’ the light after occupying the restroom. Basically, this system is design to be installed in the restroom. Apart from the automatic switching, it also comprises manual switching in case user needs to have light during the day. This system comprises two main parts: automatic light control for security purposes and for lighting areas.
Keywords: Automatic light switching, Safe system, Energy saving system, Manual switching, Restroom installation

I.

INTRODUCTION

In order to have electricity security and save energy [1], in most cases usually automatic switching is the most practical approach. Electronic sensors and microprocessor-based energy controllers will contribute to cost savings by regulating light output according to available daylight and lamp life span
[2]. A sensitive electronic control system is suggested that can take care of automatic light activation for security purposes
[2]. The GLE device power the lighting circuit based on the built in relay system without have to ‘ON’ the switch [3].

This work is supported in part by final year diploma student as final year project. Mohd Norhafiz Nordin is with the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka.
He is pursuing hid diploma study at Faculty of Electronics Engineering and
Computer Engineering.
Ranjit Singh is with Computer Engineering Department, Universiti
Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, 75450, Malaysia. (phone: 606-5552161; fax:
606-5552112; e-mail: ranjit.singh@utem.edu.my).
Wong yan Chiew is with the Computer Engineering Department,
University Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, 75450, Malaysia (e-mail: ycwong@utem.edu.my). Automatic light sensor switch [4] is a simple device that switches ‘ON’ any lighting system in the evening and switch
‘OFF’ in the morning [5]. This works based on direct connection to the three electrical wires in the fluorescent light.
This light sensor device should be placed away from the source light to avoid the light to shine directly on the sensor photocell device [5].
Very often we hear that restroom user is caught of electric shock when trying to switch off the light. Based on this, an automatic switching is necessary in a restroom. At the same time, this system is capable of performing energy saving and efficient energy usage [6, 7].
For this reason a door transmitter and receiver infrared automatic control system is developed for switching the lighting system during the occupancy of the restroom. Based on the door infrared system the desired light is maintained switched ‘ON’ when required. This system comprises two infrared sensors, each installed at the door frame and door at the restroom respectively, and an electronic latch control circuit to control the switching system. The electronic latch switching control circuit, which can be adjusted so as to automatically switch security switching lights ‘ON’ or ‘OFF’, depending on the environmental intensity of day light.
When the restroom door closes second time, the electronic latch control circuit sends a signal that switched ‘OFF’ the lights of that restroom immediately when the transmitter and receiver infrared control system is connected.
Both control systems uses common electronic components, in this way simplifying and reducing the cost of the control switching system circuit. Statistically it is estimated that accident that involves electricity shock can be reduced and energy consumption in homes and offices could be reduced of the usual consumption by using manual light control.
For this reason any investment in an “Automatic Infrared
Light Switching System” will yield quick returns. Not only it has a secure system which is more comfortable and efficient but also could avoid energy wastage.
II.

OPERATION OF AUTOMATIC INFRARED LIGHT
SWITCHING SYSTEM

This system uses the Light Dependent Resistance (LDR) to control the switching ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ of the lights system.
The LDR is directly connected to the 240V AC supply. Based on the LDR characteristic, when there is light shining on the
LDR, it will disconnect the connection to the “Automatic

Infrared Light Switching System”. The load at the LDR is connected to the command point of the 240V AC relay. While the normally close connection at the relay is connected to
Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB). The MCB is connected to the relay at the latch circuit to control the output load switching. Besides that, relays are used to control the automatic and manual load switching. Figure 1 describe the characteristics of the LDR which is used in this project.
Light

connection and the relay will operates to trigger the output load (lighting system).
12V DC
INFRA-RED SENSOR CIRCUIT
TRANSMITTER AND RECEIVER INFRA-RED

LDR
NO

DOOR
OPEN?

Figure 1 Light Dependent Resistance (LDR)
An LDR acts as an input transducer (Sensor), which converts brightness (light) to resistance. It is made from Cadmium
Sulphide (CdS) and the resistance decreases as the brightness of light falling on the LDR increases.

YES

LATCH CIRCUIT
S TART

Figure 3 Transmitter and receiver infrared circuit.
9V DC

240V AC

LATCH CIRCUIT
9V DC

12V DC

240V AC

Figure 2 Overall connection of Automatic Infrared Light
Switching System.
NO
Figure 2 flowchart shows the overall connection for the
“Automatic Infrared Light Switching System”. Based on the figure 2 flowchart, the circuit have been divided into three output; 9V DC, 12V DC and 240V AC. The 9V DC is connected to the latch control circuit, 12V DC is connected to the transmitter and receiver infrared circuit and 240V AC is connectd to the main control circuit which connects the whole lighting system.
Figure 3 shows the flowchart for 12V DC connections for the transmitter and receiver infrared circuit. At the transmitter circuit the Integrated Circuit (IC) 555 is used to generate a high signal to the infrared transmitter. The voltage supply to the IC is 12V DC. However, the infrared receiver will receive the high signal transmit from the infrared transmitter and will trigger the transistor base. The transistor here operates as a switch to control the input signal to the IC 555 at receiving circuit. The output voltage from the IC 555 will be directly connected to the transistor base. Here, the relay will be triggered when the transistor base is triggered. The relay in this connection acts as electronics switch to switch ‘ON’ the output load (lighting system). Basically, when the infrared transmitter and receiver disconnected it completes the circuit

DOOR
OPEN?

Y ES

LIGHT
Figure 4 Connection of latch circuit.
Flowchart in figure 4 shows the connection for the latch citcuit. 9V DC supply is used to activate the latch circuit (IC
4013BP). The latch circuit supplies the input voltage to trigger the relay and hold the input value from the latch circuit to switch on the output load (lighting system).
Figure 5 illustrates the high input (1) occurs when the connection of the transmitter and receiver infrared sensor is not inline together (door open). This indicates the transistor base high voltage and trigger the relay output high (triggered).
At this time the light will switch ‘ON’. The system will hold the high input as high delay time. The system only will switch

‘OFF’ when the relay is triggered high again for the second high input (2). At this condition the 5V DC supply to the relay is disconnected and the relay output is low.

advantage for this system. Furthermore, the system can perform the energy saving which can be considered more practical to save the energy without paying extra.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Input
Output

1
1

2
1

2

Figure 5 Timing diagram for latch circuit.
III.

IMPLEMENTATION O F AUTOMATIC INFRARED LIGHT
SWITCHING SYSTEM FOR ENERGY S AVING AND
ELECTRICITY SECURITY

This “Automatic Infrared Light Switching System” is suggested to be implemented at the restroom’s door [8] in order to improve energy saving, efficiency, security and convenience. Based on the illustration in figure 6, the transmitter infrared sensor is placed on the door and receiver infrared sensor is placed on the door frame at the opening angle. The system control circuit is placed at the side of the door frame with a small hole to let the LDR to function. The implementation of a sample installation for one door in one restroom is shown in figure 6. Altogether, 2 infrared sensors are installed at the restroom’s door.

Figure 6 Simple installation of Automatic Infrared Light
Switching System.
IV.

The authors would like to thank the Universiti Teknikal
Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) for financial support of this research. CONCLUSION

The “Automatic Infrared Light Switching System” is built up from two units of infrared sensors. These may easily be assembled, installed and put into operation. The system proves to be secure, convenient and efficient. It is definitely saving energy, since it keeps the light switched ‘ON’ only when it is needed. Furthermore, the automatic switching ‘OFF’ makes the system more secure and convenient from consumer’s point of view. The electrical security awareness presents extra

REFERENCES
[1] B.C. Hydro, Automatic Lighting Control for Energy
Savings, Guides to Energy Management, 1990.
[2] K. M. Yanev, A.I. Litchev and P. Van Otten, Automatic
Light Control for Efficient, Domestic Use of Energy,
2003, pp. 71 – 75.
[3] Automatic staircase lighting switch GLE 4, Technical data
(Unpublished)
[4] Levine W. S. "The Control Handbook" IEEE Press, 1998 , pp.1413-1458. [5] Automatic Light Sensor Switch, Technical data
(unpublished)
[6] Yandina Limited, “Automatic Anchor Light Switch”,
(unpublished).
[7] Ramsay D.C.: "Engineering Instrumentation and Control"
ELBS, 1997, pp. 166-177.
[8] Brown W. C.: “Drafting for Industry”, The GoodheartWillcox Company, Inc., 1998, pp 435-467.