Project #1

Automatic Light Dimmer Adapting to Ambient Light

Description
This light dimmer would be designed to automatically adjust the light intensity of its bulb
based on the condition of the ambient light. The principle is to control the average (or rms)
power being delivered to the load (a light bulb) to vary its light intensity. Having said that, the
light bulb should have a characteristic in which its light intensity is almost linearly proportional
to the average power delivered to it. An incandescent bulb could be a good choice; a CFL and
other similar bulb may not be suitable for this application. An example of its application is the
street lighting system.
Circuit Behavior
The circuit should be designed in such a way as to make the relationship of its output
light inversely proportional to the ambient light; that is, when the ambient light intensity is very
high, the output light intensity is at its lowest (OFF); conversely, when the ambient light is very
low (very dark/dim), the output light intensity is at its highest (FULL POWER). Obviously, the
output light intensity is dependent to the ambient light, and the transducer that would be used to
sense the ambient light should be isolated from the output light not being able to capture the
output light of the circuit to avoid oscillation.
Main Component to be used:
Challenge:

TRIAC

Effective gate control circuitry for TRIAC (Hint: Should be able to utilize the
entire cycle of the ac input signal)

Design Parameters
Input:
Load:
Protection:
Presentation:
Project Time Line
1st Week
2nd Week
3rd Week

Documentation

220Vac 240Vac
100W Incandescent Lamp
Fuse Protected from the main line short circuit current.
Should be properly cased to avoid hazards of electric shock.

Project design conceptualization starts

Design presentation to the Instructor (Instructor will provide feedback,
comments and suggestions to the design group)
Final submission and evaluation of the working prototype

to be submitted on the third week upon checking of the project (soft copy
only)

Must contain the following:

Front Page Uniform for the whole section; must contain (but not limited to) the title
of the project, list of the group members, and date submitted.
Description Just like the one above.
Schematic Diagram Component values may not be included; followed by a brief
description of how the circuit works.
Bill of Materials (BOM) List of all the components (both electrical and mechanical)
used and their market price.
Photos must contain documentation pictures while working on the project (including
caption is optional).
Prepared by: Edison D. de Lara

Instructor, PUPECE Department