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BEEP16 an electronic signaling device Under the guidance of
FuTech Technologies, Raipur, India
By Palash Kanwar
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BACKGROUND Raipur is located near the central plains of India,
with a high concentration of natural resources especially in coal.
It enhances the industrial and the power sector, but unfortunately
it is also one of the biggest sources of air pollution. Centre for
Science and Environment has declared Raipur as one of the five most
polluted cities in India. Air Pollution data from WHO: Pollution
index 89.66 Pollution Exp. scale: 177.69 P10 Pollution level: High
PM10 - 81 PM2.5 - 35 Concentration of dust particles in 350ppm
(standard limit fixed is 220ppm) The study conducted in Banyan Tree
Enclave (first solar powered backed up colony) revealed a reduction
in efficiency of panels. There were heavy CSEB (Chhattisgarh State
Electricity Board) bills, due to lack of awareness of the
inhabitants regarding the optimization of the solar panels. An
electronic signaling device, BEEP 16 was developed under the
technical guidance of FuTech technology, Raipur. It gives an alarm
whenever the panels get dirty, thereby indicating the user to clean
the panels.
BEEP 16 An electronic signaling device
AIM: To develop a signaling device for photovoltaic solar panels
for its periodic cleaning
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Experiment by Palash Kanwar
PARTS OF BEEP 16
PART NAME TRADE NAME QUANTITY FUNCTION
IC circuit LM3914N-1 2 Micro controller to sense voltage
Transistor 3CSSB48 2 pairs of 3 each Amplifies and switches
electronic signals and electrical power
Capacitor KELTRON 47uf /25V 2 with IC 1000uf / 25V - 1 with
relay
Holds the current when the circuit is on
Preset resistance 10Kohms 2 Regulates the voltage produced by
solar panel
Diode N400MIC 5 Allows current to flow on one side
LED bulbs Blue Red White
4 4 8
Optimum or set value: 12V Lesser than set value 12V
Relay SC5-S-DC12V LEORE 1 Automatic switch on and off device for
the alarm
Resistance 12 Reduces the voltage
Alarm 1 Beep sound producer
Jumper Makes connection from one end to another
PCB base 1 Provides base for components
Solar panel Warre WS-3A 6V 2 Control panel - vertical
Experimental panel - inclined
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WORKING PRINCIPLE There are two small solar panels. Panel A is
the experimental panel and panel B is the control panel. Panel A is
mounted inclined (at the same inclination as the roof top solar
panels) while panel B is mounted on a vertical plane. Panel A and
panel B are connected to each other by a circuit where left side of
the circuit indicates the working of panel A and the right side of
the circuit indicates the working of panel B. Jumpers connect the
two circuits to each other and the circuit is preset at 6Volts.
Condition I: When sunlight falls on both the panels A and B,
current is generated in each panel and all four blue bulbs in the
mother board start glowing indicating that the circuit is in
equilibrium.
Condition II: When dust deposits on Panel A (inclined), there is
a drop in voltage below 6V, which is sensed by the IC circuit of
the left side. Along with the blue bulbs, the white bulb also start
glowing in Panel A. Panel B (vertical) generates normal voltage of
6 volts and the blue bulbs keep glowing. But there occurs a
discrepancy in the two halves of the circuit. Relay of the left
panel switches on the alarm due to low voltage and there is a
beep.
Condition III: If in Panel B (vertical) both the white and blue
bulbs are glowing where as in Panel A (inclined) only the blue
bulbs, there is a possibility that the Panel B is being
overshadowed by an object which is preventing the sunrays to fall
on it. There is no alarm in this condition.
Condition IV: If both Panel A (inclined) and Panel B (vertical)
show glowing while bulbs, the sky is either cloudy or it is evening
hours, hence there is no alarm.
Condition V: If red bulbs start glowing on both the panel A
(inclined) as well as Panel B (vertical) the energy consumed by
solar cells is not being used to their optimum level. This
signaling device is a double check device that indicates the
reduction in efficiency due to dust and also indicates if the
system is not being used to the optimum level.
BEEP 16 An electronic signaling device
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM FOR BEEP 16 SIGNALLING DEVICE
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Experiment by Palash Kanwar
CONDITION PANEL A PANEL B CIRCUIT LED ALARM
Ideal 6 V 6 V Panel A Blue Panel B Blue
Dust Lesser than 6 V 6 V Panel A white Panel B Blue
Beeps
Below optimum level
More than 6 V 6 V Panel A Red Panel B Red
Beeps
Shade 6 V More than 6 V Panel A White Panel B White
SYNOPSIS OF THE READINGS
IMPACT ON THE SOCIETY If these panels are set next to the bigger
rooftop panel, they act as a cheap and effective means to inform
the consumer for its cleaning. The consumer saves money as current
consumption from the grid can be reduced. MY JOURNEY The experience
to work on a project single-handedly under the guidance of a
teacher was challenging yet interesting. We created the circuit
after a lot of trial and error. If we manage to overcome the
limitations and create awareness for a larger sector of users, this
device can be a boon to the society. ACKNOWLEDGMENT A special
thanks to Mr. Raju Bramankar, Director FuTech Technologies, Raipur
for guiding me in developing BEEP16. I would also like to thank Mr.
Pradeep Sahu, junior device developer in FuTech Technologies for
guiding me through the course of the experiment and clearing my
doubts. Lastly I would like to thank my parents for being a great
guiding support and believing in me along with my sister who helped
me with the documentation of the project.
LIMITATION The device is a little
complicated for novice users.
The panels have to be placed along with the SPV cells, so its a
little inconvenient to reach.
