CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRE ALARM

This is a circuit that gives off an alarming sound when the temperature of the
surroundings has exceeded a certain range. The LED shows when the circuit is ON.
The finished product can be placed in sensitive locations around a room where the
room temperature can be easily read.

1.1 ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS USED FOR THE FIRE ALARM

 Resistors: The resistor is a two-terminal electronic component that is used to

pass voltage across its terminals that is proportional to the electric current.
The resistors used for the fire alarm circuit are

• 470Ω

• 33KΩ

• 560Ω

• 47KΩ

• 2K2Ω

 Capacitors: The capacitor is a passive electronic component consisting of a

pair of conductors separated by a dielectric (insulator). Capacitors used in the
fire alarm circuit are used to block direct current while allowing alternating
current to pass. Capacitors used are

• 10µF – 16V

• 0.04µF – 63V

• 0.01µF – 63V

 Transistors: A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify and switch

electronic signals. It is made of a solid piece of semiconductor material, with
at least three terminals for connection to an external circuit. A voltage or
 current applied to one pair of the transistor's terminals changes the current
flowing through another pair of terminals. Transistors used are

• BC 548

• BC 558

• SL 100B

 Light Emitting Diode: a light emitting diode gives off light when current
passes through it. The LED used in the circuit shows when current passes
through the circuit and indicates when the circuit is on.

 Diode: A diode is a two-terminal electronic component that conducts electric

current in only one direction in the circuit. The diode used is

• 1N4001

 Integrated Circuits: This is a circuit that contains several components

integrated to form one major component. The I.C used is

• NE555

 Speaker: A buzzer is used as the speaker. The buzzer gives off a sound when
the alarm has been triggered.

 Thermistor: The thermistor is an electrical component that detects

temperature of some range in a circuit. The thermistor used in the fire alarm
circuit is used to detect temperatures that range over room temperature.
 CHAPTER TWO

2.0 DESIGN ANALYSIS OF THE CIRCUIT

The design analysis of the circuit describes the various stages of the circuit. The fire
alarm circuit consists of four parts:

1. The Power Supply Unit

2. The Switching Circuit

3. The Astable Multivibrator

4. The Output

2.1 THE POWER SUPPLY UNIT

The circuit is powered by a 6V source of power. The power supply unit consists of
the connection of four 1.5V batteries in series. The positive lead is connected to the
Vcc (Voltage supply) while the negative lead is connected to the ground. The LED
shows when the circuit is powered ON.
2.2 THE SWITCHING CIRCUIT

The switching circuit consists of two transistors, one NPN transistor (BC 548) and
another PNP transistor (BC 558). The switching transistors drive the NE555
integrated circuit which is used as an astable multivibrator.

2.3 THE ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR

An astable multivibrator is a timing circuit whose 'low' and 'high' states are both
unstable. The astable multivibrator consists of a NE555 IC timer, resistors R1 and
R2, capacitor C1 and the voltage source.
In the 555 Oscillator above, pin 2 and pin 6 are connected together allowing the
circuit to re-trigger itself on each and every cycle allowing it to operate as a free
running oscillator. During each cycle capacitor, C charges up through both timing
resistors, R1 and R2 but discharges itself only through resistor, R2 as the other side
of R2 is connected to the Discharge terminal, pin 7. Then the capacitor charges up
to 2/3Vcc (the upper comparator limit) which is determined by the 0.693(R1+R2)C
combination and discharges itself down to 1/3Vcc (the lower comparator limit)
determined by the 0.693(R2.C) combination. This results in an output waveform
whose voltage level is approximately equal to Vcc - 1.5V and whose output "ON"
and "OFF" time periods are determined by the capacitor and resistors combinations.

2.4 THE OUTPUT

The output of the circuit is connected to NPN transistor Q3 (SL 100B). The base of
the transistor is connected to the number 3 pin of the NE555 IC via a 470Ω resistor.
This drives the buzzer to generate a sound when the alarm as been triggered.

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION OF THE CIRCUIT

In this fire alarm circuit, a thermistor works as the heat sensor. When the
temperature increases, its resistance decreases, and vice versa. At normal
temperature, the resistance of the thermistor (TH1) is approximately 10 kilo-ohms,
which reduces to a few ohms as the temperature increases beyond 100°C.

Timer IC NE555 (IC1) is wired as an astable multivibrator oscillating in audio

frequency band. Switching transistors T1 and T2 drive multivibrator NE555 (IC1).
The output of IC1 is connected to NPN transistor T3, which drives the loudspeaker
(LS1) to generate sound. The frequency of IC1 depends on the values of resistors R5
and R6 and capacitor C2.

When thermistor TH1 becomes hot, it provides a low-resistance path to extend

positive voltage to the base of transistor T1 via diode D1 and resistor R2. Capacitor
C1 charges up to the positive voltage and increases the ‘on’ time of alarm. The
higher the value of capacitor C1, the higher the forward voltage applied to the base
of transistor T1 (BC548).

Since the collector of transistor T1 is connected to the base of transistor T2,

transistor T2 provides positive voltage to reset pin 4 of IC1 (NE555). Resistor R4 is
used such that IC1 remains inactive in the absence of positive voltage. Diode D1
stops discharging of capacitor C1 when the thermistor connected to the positive
supply cools down and provides a high-resistance (10-kilo-ohm) path. It also stops
the conduction of T1.

The circuit works off a 6V-12V regulated power supply. LED1 is used to indicate that
power to the circuit is switched on.

The circuit diagram of the fire alarm is shown on the next page

3.1 CIRCUIT DIAGRAM OF THE FIRE ALARM

CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 ANALYSIS, TESTING AND RESULTS OF THE FIRE ALARM

4.1 ANALYSIS

When the circuit is supplied with a 6V source, current flows through the resistor R1
470Ω and into the positive lead of the LED. The LED switches on to signify that the
circuit is powered on. The 6V supply flows into the thermistor and into diode D1
(1N4001). The diode allows the current to flow in the same direction and into
capacitor C1 (10µF – 16V). The current flows from the diode to transistor T1 (BC548)
via a 33K resistor. Transistor T1 is grounded via resistor R3 470Ω while current flows
through the collector to the base of transistor T2 (BC558). T2 is supplied with the 6V
supply via its emitter. T2 grounded via R4 560Ω. NE555 is used as an astable
multivibrator which comprises of resistors R5 47KΩ and R6 2.2KΩ and capacitor C2
(0.04µF). Transistor T3 (SL 100B) is connected to the pin 3 of the NE555 via R7
470Ω. T3 collector is connected to the buzzer and its emitter is grounded.

4.2 TESTING AND RESULTS

When the circuit is switched on, indicated by the LED, a source of heat more than
room temperature is supplied to the thermistor. When the heat level has reached
the range of the thermistor, the buzzer in the circuit gives of a sound to indicate
that the heat range of the thermistor has been reached or exceeded.

CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 CONCLUSION, CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 CONCLUSION

The fire alarm is a small and simple unit detects fire hazards and gives off an
alarming signal. It can be used for home and security purpose. It is very efficient
since it reads temperatures well above room temperature.

For more advanced purposes, the fire alarm can be integrated with a water sprinkler
system. When the fire alarm goes off, the sprinkler sprays water to stop the fire.
This advanced system can be used in offices or places where the threat of fire
hazards is very high.

5.2 CHALLENGES

Challenges in implementing and designing the fire alarm circuit came up from
getting the proper thermistor rating to work with the fire alarm circuit.

Soldering had to be done with care so as not to damage components such as the
transistors and the I.C

5.3 RECOMMENDATION

The project is recommended for Electrical and Electronics Engineering students

because it exposes them to the practical related aspect of the course. Electronic
components should be made available for students to buy as there are difficulties in
getting proper components that make the circuit work properly.

There should be enough time to complete the circuit as testing proves difficult at
times.
 REFERENCES
www.circuitstoday.com

• Operation of the circuit and circuit diagram

www.fairchildsemi.com

• Data sheet for NE555

 APPENDIX A

NE555 DATASHEET AND CIRCUIT SCHEMATIC OVERVIEW

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The NE555 is a highly stable controller capable of producing accurate timing pulses.
With an astable operation, the frequency and duty cycle are accurately controlled
by two external resistors and one capacitor.

FEATURES

• High Current Drive Capability (200mA)

• Adjustable Duty Cycle
• Temperature Stability of 0.005%/°C
• Timing From μSec to Hours
• Turn off Time Less Than 2μSec

APPLICATIONS

• Precision Timing
• Pulse Generation
• Time Delay Generation
• Sequential Timing
INTERNAL BLOCK DIAGRAM

Comparator 1 has a threshold input (pin 6) and a control input (pin 5). In most
applications, the control input is not used, so that the control voltage equals +2/3
VCC. Output of this comparator is applied to set (S) input of the flip-flop. Whenever
the threshold voltage exceeds the control voltage, comparator 1 will set the flip-flop
and its output is high. A high output from the flip-flop saturates the discharge
transistor and discharge the capacitor connected externally to pin 7. The
complementary signal out of the flip-flop goes to pin 3, the output. The output
available at pin 3 is low. These conditions will prevail until comparator 2 triggers the
flip-flop. Even if the voltage at the threshold input falls below 2/3 VCC, that is
comparator 1 cannot cause the flip-flop to change again. It means that the
comparator 1 can only force the flip-flop’s output high.

To change the output of flip-flop to low, the voltage at the trigger input must fall
below + 1/3 Vcc. When this occurs, comparator 2 triggers the flip-flop, forcing its
output low. The low output from the flip-flop turns the discharge transistor off and
forces the power amplifier to output a high. These conditions will continue
independent of the voltage on the trigger input. Comparator 2 can only cause the
flip-flop to output low.

From the above discussion it is concluded that for the having low output from the
timer 555, the voltage on the threshold input must exceed the control voltage or +
2/3 VCC. They also turn the discharge transistor on. To force the output from the
timer high, the voltage on the trigger input must drop below +1/3 VCC. This also
turns the discharge transistor off.

A voltage may be applied to the control input to change the levels at which the
switching occurs. When not in use, a 0.01 nano Farad capacitor should be
connected between pin 5 and ground to prevent noise coupled onto this pin from
causing false triggering.

Connecting the reset (pin 4) to a logic low will place a high on the output of flip-flop.
The discharge transistor will go on and the power amplifier will output a low. This
condition will continue until reset is taken high. This allows synchronization or
resetting of the circuit’s operation. When not in use, reset should be tied to +VCC.

NE555 PINOUT

DESCRIPTION OF THE PINS

1) Ground: Connect this to ground. Connect all grounds in a circuit together.

2) Trigger: A short low (less than 1/3 Vcc) pulse on the trigger starts the timer. By
connecting this to ground we "turn on" the 555 timer.

3) Output: During a timing interval, the output stays at +VCC. Can source up to
200ma.

4) Reset: Forces pin 3 low if pulled to ground.

5) Control: Can be used to adjust threshold trigger voltage. Not used in our
applications. Connect to ground with a .01uF cap to eliminate supply noise from
Vcc.

6) Threshold: When threshold crosses above 2/3 Vcc timing interval ends.

7) Discharge: connects to ground when output goes low. Controls timing.

8) Vcc: Power supply. Typical range 4.5v to 16v.

 APPENDIX B

BILL OF ENGINEERING MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION

S/ COMPONENTS QUANTITIY AMOUNT (N) TOTAL (N)
N
1 RESISTORS 8 10 80
2 CAPACITORS 3 10 30
3 TRANSISTORS 3 30 90
4 DIODE 1 10 10
5 LED 1 10 10
6 IC NE555 1 50 50
7 BUZZER 1 150 150
8 1.5V BATTERIES 4 20 80
9 BATTERY CASE 1 50 50
10 VERO BOARD 1 50 50
11 CONNECTING 2 20 40
WIRE
SUM TOTAL 640