Developing an Arduino Based Auto Street Light Intensity Controller

Career Episode 2 describes the development of an Arduino based auto street light intensity controller. The project aimed to save electricity and maximize efficiency by controlling the intensity of street lights through detecting motion. The report covers project information, background, objectives, distinctive activities, identified issues and their solutions, and project review. The author's role as team leader and hardware implementation is highlighted.

COMPETENCY
DEMONSTRATION REPORT
Career Episode 2

CE 2.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Developing an Arduino Based Auto Street Light Intensity
Controller
Location of the project: [PLEASE FILL]
Project Duration: [PLEASE FILL]
Organization: [PLEASE FILL]
Role and Designation during the time: Team Leader
CE 2.2 Project Background
CE 2.2.1 Characteristics of the project
The present time is striving hard to save electricity and maximize the efficiency of
electricity utilization. Street lights are one of the essential components of the community and
better living, however; the electricity being utilized has been effectively high and it is a sector
from where the electricity can be saved. I identified this sector as an opportunity of saving the
electricity through minimizing the intensity of the streets through detecting the motion of the
vehicles. Street lights almost work for ten hours every day and thus, consumes lots of energy. I
developed a system that will be turning on and off the street lights automatically through the
application Adruino and other electronic appliances. Manual control is not effective, time
consuming, and the street lights might be turned on for long hours and hence, an automated
system is necessary that can control the intensity, on, and off of the street lights.

CE 2.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
I proposed this project as a solution for saving the electricity and operating the street
lights automatically. In manner to deliver necessary output, it was necessary to set strategic goals
and objectives as mentioned below:
 To transform the existing manual system into an automated system
 To use Arduino for implementing automation to the street lights
 To save the electricity for future application
 To deliver the project successfully through delivering the set constraints
 To keep the budget of electricity less than it is being wasted
CE 2.2.3 My area of work
During the development and execution of the project, I had to manage the roles and
responsibilities of every team members involved in the project. I had to assure that the roles and
responsibilities being assigned to the members is according to their capabilities and they are
capable of accomplishing the job in an efficient and effective manner. I was assigned as the team
leader and I had to deploy the circuit designing and connections of the electrical components
those were being utilized within the project. I analysed the current situation of the market and
components being utilized in the street lights and so I proposed the application of HID lights for
the street lights in manner to save more electricity. The existing system was an automated but not
much effective as the circuit design is being demonstrated in the following diagram:

Figure 1: Existing System Circuit Diagram
After analysing the existing system, I proposed the following model of the new system that was
much effective and efficient for restricting the utilization of the electricity by the street lights:
Figure 2: Proposed Solution

CE 2.2.4 Project Group
CE 2.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
I was responsible for the development of the circuit model of the new model that can be
helpful in eliminating the existing problems. I had to assure that the progress and growth of the
project is on the right track and every milestone of the project ahs been accomplished in an
efficient and effective manner. I had appointed myself in the hardware implementation section
and I had to make the circuit same as that developed in the model. I managed to keep the budget
of the project minimum as much possible through keeping the concern in mind that the
developed system should be of low budget as that being wasted on the streets.

CE 2.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 2.3.1 Comprehending the theory of the project
The LDRs (Light Detecting Resistors) will be implemented within the circuit of every
street lamps. I utilized the basic principle of the LDR that will allow the flow of electricity
whenever the light is not detected however; the connection will be cut - out whenever, light is
detected. This semiconductor will turn the street lights off whenever light is detected and hence,
the electricity will be saved in an efficient and effective manner. I tried to manage the working of
the street lights only during the night and they will not be working when it is dark.
CE 2.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
I used the combination of the MOSFET , resistors, Anduino board, LDRs, and diodes for
the development of the new automated system. I connected the MOSFET with two resistors with
a voltage difference of 5 V and the third resistor is connected LDR with same voltage difference.
I executed the circuit designing in manner to accomplish the activities as per the following flow
chart:
Figure 3: Flow chart of new system

I executed the simulation and following results were identified Time Vs. Intensity graph:
Figure 4: Time vs. intensity graph
Following results have been identified through the developed system:
Power (in volt) Intensity (in watt/square meter)
0 0
1 113
2 226
3 339
4 454
5 680
Table 2: External Brightness vs. Led Intensity
E
xternal Brightness LED Intensity
62 514
54 534

51 542
210 119
211 117
I developed the circuit board and implemented the hardware as demonstrated in the
following figure:
Figure 5: Hardware implementation and graph representation of the proposed system
CE 2.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
I developed the communication strategies for the entire team in manner to allow them to
discuss the current progress and growth of the project and manage the roles and responsibilities
of every team member involved in the project. I divided the responsibilities and different sector
of work for every individual that emphasizes on the research and analysis, evaluation of the
existing system, proposition of the solution for the identified problems. I managed the circuit
connection work however; the simulation. Evaluation, efficiency management, and mathematical
calculation were the sections of other team members.

CE 2.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
2.3.4.1 Issues
Circuit connection was one of the technical issue faced during executing the project as
the circuit was not closed due top some loose connections and necessary output were not being
assured. Managing the budget at minimum price even after incorporating the additional electrical
components within every street light.
2.3.4.2 Solutions
I refreshed all the wiring with proper procedures of the soldering and assured that none of
the connections are loose and the entire circuit is closed for the accomplishment of the electricity
savings. I used the multimeter at every node in manner to assure that the power is flowing
through every electrical component. One of the team member managed to analysed the market
and brought the components those are properly rated as per the need of the system and of low
budget without altering the quality of the project.
CE 2.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
Implementation of the LDRs was an innovative approach towards transforming the
existing street lights into an automated street light that can be helpful in saving the electricity. I
asked the team member to analyse the current properties and constraints before implementing the
new system. I developed the circuit considering the data presented from the research and thus,
developed the system that will consume less electricity than previous system and circuit
connection.

CE 2.3.6 Collaborative work
The team members equally contribute in the successful deployment of the project that
assures that the developed project is capable of meeting the needs and requirements of the users.
I divided the project for every individual with different sections as per their capabilities and
assure that their creativity and innovations can be utilized in an efficient and effective manner.
The proposed project was successful due to the contribution of the team members. I managed to
execute proper and effective communication between them in manner to make sure that every
perspective of the project is being discussed and highlighted by them for further necessary
amendments.
CE 2.4 Project Review
CE 2.4.1 Project Overview
The proposed project is capable of restricting the usage of electricity and controlling the
wastage of the electricity on the streets. I attempted to develop the system that will automatically
turn on and off the street lights considering the intensity of the light in the environment. I lead
the team and tried to manage the roles and responsibilities of every team member. I managed to
develop an effective and efficient circuit model for the streets that will be helpful in being
utilized at low consumption of the electricity.
CE 2.4.2 My contribution to work
I utilized my leadership, management and engineering behaviours for the delivery of the
successful project that could be helpful in saving electricity and managing the street light
electricity consumption in efficient and effective manner. The proposed system will be helpful in

accomplishing the objectives related to the electricity saving. I accomplished the circuit
designing and development of the model that will be helpful in delivering the objectives of this
project.