Summary of Home Automation and Security System using Microcontroller ATMEGA8 with Arduino Programming
Summary (under 100 words): A microcontroller-based home automation and security project using Arduino/ATmega8 monitors room temperature with a thermistor and MQ6 gas sensor, displays levels via LEDs, controls an exhaust fan, auto-opens a DVD-loader door for ventilation, and activates a 12V water pump if fire is detected. It also triggers an alarm on LPG leakage. The design uses inexpensive components and is suited for engineering or school exhibition projects.
Parts used in the Home Automation and Security System:
- Arduino UNO
- IC 74138 (3-to-8 decoder)
- L293D
- Exhaust fan (12V)
- Vehicle glass washer pump motor (12V)
- MQ6 GAS sensor
- Thermistor (High resistance type)
- Transistor BC548 x3
- Buzzer 5V
- LEDs (Green x3, Yellow x3, Red x2)
- POT 10K x2
- Resistors (1K x3, 10K)
- Relay 12V
- DVD loader tray (with eject/open-close sensor)
- 12V Power supply
- USB cable
Home automation and security systems have become very popular these days, today industrial automation techniques are widely adopted by luxurious homes and apartments. Here I’m going to give a worthy home automation security and monitoring project for engineering students. On the whole this microcontroller based home automation system with security performs the following series of processes, making it the best home automation system.
- Sense the temperature level of the room and monitor it using LEDs.
- Controls the temperature using exhaust fan.
- Automatically open and close the door to make fast temperature control.
- Pump water if necessary, in case fire is detected.
I happened to develop this for a science fare exhibition in one of the schools. You can also make use of this kitchen automation as major project for engineering or diploma final year.
School projects:
- How to Make a Burglar Alarm Circuit for Your Home Security?
- Home security alarm system circuit diagram
Components required
- Arduino UNO
- IC 74138
- L293D
- Exhaust fan (12V)
- Vehicle glass washer pump motor (12V)
- MQ6 GAS sensor
- Thermistor (High resistance type)
- Transistor (BC548x3)
- Buzzer 5V
- LEDs (Greenx3, Yellowx3, Redx2)
- POT (10Kx2)
- Resistor (1Kx3, 10k)
- Relay 12V
- DVD loader tray
- 12v Power supply
- USB cable
Setting up the project
Built around ATMEGA8 microcontroller, the main advantage of this system is that it uses Arduino programming which makes easy embedding of program and at the end of the day it leads to a drastic reduction of cost from about Rs.1500 to around Rs.80.
For demonstration purpose I have used a DVD loader assembly to open and close the door, it has an inbuilt open close sensor which I have used here. Moreover the MQ6 GAS sensor for detecting the leakage of LPG is an added advantage of this project. When leakage is detected it should run an alarm and switch on exhaust fan to reduce the density of GAS.
Working of home automation and security system
Now let me get in to the working of our home automation and security system section by section. The main sensors that I have used here is a thermistor to detect the temperature level and a MQ6 GAS sensor to detect the presence of LPG.
Thermistor Section
- Firstly read the temperature value from thermistor and monitor on LED with the help of 74328 IC which is a 3 to 8 decoder.
- Two threshold values are used, first one to enable open/close of the door and the other one for fire alarm.
- The temperature level from thermistor is checked. If the level is less than first threshold then it does nothing. Else if it’s greater than the first threshold it opens the door with the help of ‘ON OFF touch switch’ (Eject button) in DVD loader assembly, thereby switching on exhaust fan.
- If the temperature level is greater than second threshold level (it means there will be a presence of fire) then the controller will switch on water pump motor to extinguish the fire.
For more detail: Home Automation and Security System using Microcontroller ATMEGA8 with Arduino Programming
- What microcontroller and programming platform does the project use?
The project is built around ATMEGA8 and uses Arduino programming. - How is room temperature sensed and displayed?
Temperature is detected by a thermistor and monitored on LEDs via IC 74138 (3-to-8 decoder). - What triggers the opening and closing of the door?
When temperature exceeds the first threshold the controller activates the DVD loader eject touch switch to open or close the door. - How is an overtemperature fire condition handled?
If temperature exceeds the second threshold the controller switches on the water pump motor to extinguish the fire. - How does the system detect gas leakage?
The MQ6 GAS sensor detects LPG leakage and triggers an alarm and exhaust fan. - What components drive the exhaust fan and pump motors?
The design uses driver ICs (such as L293D) and relays to control the 12V exhaust fan and 12V pump motor. - Can this project be used for school or final year projects?
Yes, the author developed it for a science fair and recommends it as a major project for engineering or diploma students. - What is the cost advantage mentioned for using Arduino programming?
Using Arduino programming reduces cost dramatically from about Rs.1500 to around Rs.80 according to the article.
