Light Alarm with Timer 555

Figure: Light Alarm Circuit

This is the simple and low cost light alarm circuit built using timer IC 555 as the sound generator and a LDR to sense the environment light. This alarm is activated when the light beam on the LDR photocell is interrupted (You can use the light of a flashlight bulb which will make you a source for remain on, this may be 3 volts, no matter whether AC or DC).

Components List:

Capacitor:

C1: 0.1 μF

Resistor:

R1: 100K (potensiometer)

R2: 1K

R3: 47K

R4: 100K

R5. 27 ohm

R6: 220 ohm

Semiconductor:

IC1: 555

TR1: 2N3055, C1060 or C1226

D1: 1N4002

Others:

Speaker 8 or 16 ohms

1 LDR / photocell

When the LDR / photocell is receiving light, has low resistance, thus blocking the positive voltage that gives R4 to terminal 4 of IC 555, maintaining multivibrator off and the speaker does not sound when the photocell stops receiving light, its resistance increases in fraction seconds, which makes it reaches the above positive voltage to the terminal, which activates the alarm.

Note: The LDR should not receive another light than that which serves to activated.