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BEEP16 an electronic signaling device

Under the guidance of FuTech Technologies, Raipur, India



By Palash Kanwar
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
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
Higher 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
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
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.

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