2

ABSTRACT
Refrigerator is one of the most used electrical appliances in any household. But many times
while closing the door of refrigerator, either unknowingly or due to defected door seal or hinge
the door is left open. The refrigerator with the door left open will run continuously to try to cool
the inside. The thermostat inside never senses that the inside has cooled and so the
compressor pump and fan remains on. Morever, If left open for long hours, may cause the
evaporator coils to accumulate an excessive amount of frost on them, the compressor and its
electric motor to overheat, which will usually reduce their normal working life from 8 to 10 years
to only maybe 1 year or less. Electricity will be wasted and fridge will not cool down enough to
protect any food.
So, a refrigerator with an alarm gives a beep after a fixed time delay as an indication that the
door of refrigerator is open and needs to be closed saving electricity and any damage to the
appliance.















3

BLOCK DIAGRAM




REFRIGERATOR
DOOR OPENS
A BULB LIGHTS UP
INSIDE
REFRIGERATOR
LIGHT FALLS ON LDR
AND CIRCUIT GETS
COMPLETE
AN ALARM RINGS
AFTER SELECTED
TIME DELAY
DOOR CLOSES AND
BULB TURNS OFF
CIRCUIT GETS OPEN
AND ALARM TURNS
OFF
4

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM


NAME OF COMPONENT SPECIFICATION QUANTITY OTHER OPTIONS
IN MARKET
Light bulb 12 V 1 -
Light dependent resistor 1 Infrared emitter
and receiver
Battery 6F22 9V 1
Resistor 1 M
10 M
1
2
Potentiometer of
2m and 20M.
Capacitor 1500F
1000F
82F
1
1
1
-
Zener diode 3V 1 -
Beeper 9V 1 -
Transitor 2N4401 2 Darlington pair
MPS-A14
Adopter 230V ac -12 V dc 1 -
5

ADVANTAGES
The circuit for refrigerator door alarm is very simple and do not require embedded
systems and programming .
Refrigerator door alarm is very economical and its net cost is Rs. 200.
The circuit introduces a time delay for an alarm with the help of capacitor (by varying its
time constant)and zener diode instead of using a potentiometer. Hence less energy
consumption and losses.This improves the life of device.
The circuit provides three time delays of 2sec,30 sec and 45 sec which shows that this
very circuit with certain modifications has numerous applications.

DISADVANTAGES
The circuit uses three different capacitors for introducing three different time delays,
using a potentiometer would have given a continuous time delay.
The device do not involve any automatic door closing mechanism.
The model for refrigerator is designed for a limited door opening.

APPLICATIONS
With certain modifications the circuit for refrigerator door alarm has many applications.
Using a LDR of higher sensitivity ,when placed inside safes/lockers, it can be used as a
security alarm as the alarm will go on as soon as somebody unexpectedly unlock the
safe/locker.
This alarm can be used as a security alarm for cars and other vehicles if somebody tries
to open the door unexpectedly.
By using a thermistor in place of LDR, the same circuit can be used as a fire alarm.
The alarm can also be used in home security system and can be activated when
required.

CONCLUSION
The refrigerator door alarm is very economical and efficient device and can be practically
used.Its simple circuitry is its asset.With certain modifications, same circuitry has numerous
applications in the field of security.