Simulation software is generally used before the circuits and devices are built. It is not only that small devices can be designed on software, complex and large circuits/devices can be simulated. By this, damage can be avoided when all the hazards and implications can be avoided in the simulation itself.
In this article, we are going to design a Fire Alarm circuit using a few electrical components like Temperature and Gas sensors using TinkerCad and interface it with Arduino. Let's start with the components we will require to build the circuit in the #TinkerCad software.
Hardware Requirements.
These components are not required while building it in the simulation software. To build the circuit manually, click on the links given below to buy the components required.
Arduino UNO Board.
Develop a stronger concept in Arduino through this article:- What is Arduino?
#Arduino board is a microcontroller that is used to accept inputs from sensors connected and provide an output action on the desired device connected to it. The sensor inputs can be from light-detecting sensors, motion sensors (Ultrasonic or IR), temperature sensors, etc. The output from this device can be received through other output devices such as LED, Buzzer, Serial monitor, etc.
Buy Arduino UNO from here.
2. LM-35 Temperature Sensor
LM-35 #Temperature Sensor gives an analog output based on the instantaneous temperature value. This analog output is proportional to the instantaneous input.
Buy LM-35 Sensor from here.
3. Gas sensor
The gas #sensor is used to measure the concentration or presence of gas in the atmosphere. It is also used to detect smoke in the air. Based on the gas, a potential difference is generated by changing the resistance of the material present inside the sensor. The output is measure in terms of Voltage.
Buy Gas sensor from here.
4. Resistors
Resistors are passive devices that restrict the flow of current or divide the voltage through the circuit. The input power passes through these resistors and then to the sensors to avoid damage.
Buy Resistors from here.
5. Breadboard
The breadboard is the basic component of any circuit building process. All components, be it input sensors or output display devices are connected to the power supply, microcontroller using wired connections through a breadboard. The holes in the breadboard are in series. There are various sizes like full-sized, half-sized, and mini breadboard.
Buy breadboard from here.
6. LED
Light Emitting Diode is a commonly used light source. It is a semiconductor that emits light when current flows through it.
Buy LED from here.
7. Piezo Buzzer
It is an electrical component that generates a beep sound on receiving an input. It works on the principle of #piezo crystal.
Buy Piezo buzzer from here.
8. Jumper Wires
These are the main components that are used to establish the connections between different devices of the circuit.
Buy Jumper Wires from here.
NOTE: The description of the electrical components is given for reference. We don't need the physical components for this project. The circuit simulation is done in the TinkerCad software.
Software Requirement
TinkerCad circuit simulation software.
It is an online simulation software used for circuit design. It has all the electrical components required to built circuits and runs them.
Visit the TinkerCad website.
Circuit Connections and its Working:
The circuit connections are as follows.
Firstly, we need to connect one line of the breadboard to the ground and the other to the power supply. This is done by connecting the 5V pin of the Arduino Board to one line of connection pins on the breadboard. The other line of the breadboard is connected to the ground terminal of the Arduino Board. These lines will be connected to other devices.
The Temperature sensor has three pins. Ground, Vout, and Vs (Supply). The Vs pin that has a range of 4-20V is connected to the power supply line of the breadboard. The Ground terminal of the sensor is connected to the ground line of the breadboard. The Vout terminal of the temperature sensor is connected to one of the Analog pins of the Arduino Board, A1.
Now let us learn how the connections are done with the Gas sensor. This sensor has 6 pins. 3 pins of the gas sensor are directly connected to the power supply line of the breadboard. Amongst the other 3 pins of the sensor, one pin is connected to one of the Analog pins of the Arduino Board, A0. The pin in the middle is connected to the ground line of the breadboard. The third pin of the sensor is connected to a resistor and then connected to the ground line.
The piezo buzzer is externally connected to the circuit. The ground pin of the #buzzer is connected to the ground line of the breadboard. Another pin of the buzzer is connected to the digital pin, PIN 7 of the Arduino Board.
Lastly, the LED is connected to the Arduino directly. The cathode of the LED is connected to the GND pin of Arduino and the anode of the LED is connected through a resistor to the digital pin 13 of the Arduino.
Code
Watch the below-given project video for the practical explanation of designing the circuit and to know how the simulation #software works.
Check the Project working video here - Fire Alarm System Project by Interfacing Arduino with Temperature & Gas Sensor || TinkerCAD Projects
Project Video By - Navya Tatiparthi
Simulation software plays a major role in the building of large circuits as they help analyze the working of the circuit before it can be built practically. It helps us create a #virtual design of the circuit we want to build and avoid damages to the circuit if in case we don't know, beforehand about the correct circuit connections.
For more projects through TinkerCad click here.
Simulation software can help us build more effective and efficient projects as it provides validation for the circuit we will be building using the actual components. Design your own circuit, run the code in the software, and validate your project.
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