Water Pump Relay Control

Water reservoir automatic level control

Simple circuitry - 12V supply

Circuit diagram:

Parts:
R1,R2___________15K 1/4W Resistors
R3______________10K 1/4W Resistor
R4_______________1K 1/4W Resistor

D1______________LED any type and color

D2___________1N4148 75V 150mA Diode

IC1____________4001 Quad 2 Input NOR Gate CMos IC

Q1____________BC337 45V 800mA NPN Transistor

SW1____________SPDT Toggle or Slide Switch (Optional)

RL1___________Relay with SPDT 2A @ 230V switch

Coil Voltage 12V - Coil resistance 200-300 Ohm

Two steel rods of appropriate length

Device purpose:

By means of a Relay, employed to drive a water pump, this circuit provides automatic
level control of a water reservoir or well.
Circuit operation:

The shorter steel rod is the "water high" sensor, whereas the longer is the "water low"
sensor. When the water level is below both sensors, IC1C output (pin #10) is low; if the
water becomes in contact with the longer sensor the output remains low until the shorter
sensor is reached. At this point IC1C output goes high, Q1 conducts, the Relay is
energized and the pump starts operating.
Now, the water level begins to decrease and the shorter sensor will be no longer in
contact with the water, but IC1C output will be hold high by the signal return to pin #5 of
IC1B, so the pump will continue its operation. But when the water level falls below the
longer sensor, IC1C output goes low and the pump will stop.

SW1 is optional and was added to provide reverse operation. Switching SW1 in order to
connect R3 to pin #11 of IC1D, the pump will operate when the reservoir is nearly empty
and will stop when the reservoir is full. In this case, the pump will be used to fill the
reservoir and not to empty it as in the default operating mode.

Notes:

• The two steel rods must be supported by a small insulated (wooden or plastic)
board.
• The circuit can be used also with non-metal tanks, provided a third steel rod
having about the same height of the tank will be added and connected to the
circuit's negative ground.

Having Questions?