Water Level Controller using 8051 Microcontroller

This article explains you how to detect and control the water level in an overhead tank or any
other container. This system monitors the water level of the tank and automatically switches
ON the motor whenever tank is empty. The motor is switched OFF when the overhead tank or
container is FULL. Here the water level of the tank is indicated on LCD (Liquid crystal
Display). Using this system, we can avoid the overflow of the water. We have already seen
how water level indicator circuit works using AVR Microcontroller in the earlier post. But,
here we are designing the circuit which is used to detect and control the water level
automatically in overhead tank using 8051 microcontroller.

In this system water sensing can be done by using a set of 4 wires which are placed at
different levels in tank. DC supply probe is placed at the base of the tank.

Water Level Controller using 8051 Circuit Principle:

This system mainly works on a principle that water conducts electricity. The four wires
which are dipped into the tank will indicate the different water levels. Based on the outputs of
these wires, microcontroller displays water level on LCD as well as controls the motor.

Circui
t Diagram of Water Level Controller using 8051 Microcontroller
Circuit Components:

At89c51 controller

At89c51 programming board.

16*2 LCD

5V Relay

Bc547 (NPN) transistors 5

Resistors (1K) 4

Resistor 330 ohm

AC Motor

Pot 10k

Programming cable

Connecting wires

Water Level Controller using 8051 Circuit Design:

The main heart of this project is AT89C51 microcontroller. The water level probes are
connected to the P3.0, P3.1, P3.2, and P3.3 through the transistors. Port P2 connected to the
data pins of LCD and control pins RS, RW and EN of LCD are connected to the P1.0, P1.1,
and P1.2 respectively.

Initially when tank is empty, LCD will display the message EMPTY and motor runs
automatically. When water level reaches to quarter level, now LCD displays QUARTER and
still motor runs. For further levels, LCD displays the messages HALF and FULL.
When tank is full, LCD displays FULL and motor automatically stops. Again motor runs
when tank is empty.

How to Operate Water Level Controller Circuit using 8051

Microcontroller?

1. Initially burn the program to the controller.

2. Now give the connections as per the circuit diagram.

3. While giving the connections, make sure that there is no common connection between
AC and DC supplies.

4. Place the 4 water level indicating wires into the small tank.

5. Switch on the supply, now the motor will run automatically as there is no water in the
tank.

6. Now pour the water, when it reaches to quarter level then LCD displays QUARTER on
LCD.

7. For further levels it will displays HALF and FULL on LCD.

8. Still if you pour the water then LCD displays FULL and motor turns off automatically
when the tank is full.

9. Switch off the motor supply and board supply.

Water Level Controller Circuit Advantages:

Human effort is reduced as the system controls the motor automatically based on the
water level.

This system consumes less power.

Simple and more reliable.

Applications of Water Level Controller Circuit using 8051:

Used in big buildings where the manual monitoring is difficult.

Used in industries to control the liquid level automatically.