6.8V.

Hence the output of the operational

CIRCUIT IDEAS

OVER-/UNDE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES R-VOLTAGE PROTECTION T OF

C.H. VITHALANI

amplifier is zero and transistor T1 remains are protected against over-voltage. off. The relay, which is connected to the Now lets consider the under-voltage his circuit protects refrigerators collector of transistor T1, also remains deaskkl condition. When the line voltage is below well as other appliances from over180V, energised. As the AC supply to the electri- the voltage at the inverting terminal and under-voltage. Operational am-appliances is given through the nor- 6) of operational amplifier N2 is less cal (pin plifier IC LM324 (IC2) is used here as a mally closed (N/C) terminal of the relay, the voltage at the non-inverting terthan comparator. IC LM324 consists of fourthe supply is not disconnected during minal (6V). Thus the output of operaopnorerational amplifiers, of which only twomal operation. optional amplifier N2 goes high and it

erational amplifiers (N1 and N2) are used When the AC voltage increases beyond energises the relay through transistor T1. in the circuit. 240V, the voltage at the non-inverting ter- supply is disconnected and elecThe AC The unregulated power supply is conminal (pin 3) of operational amplifier trical appliances turn off. Thus the appliN1 nected to the series combination of resisances increases. The voltage at the inverting ter- are protected against under-voltage. tors R1 and R2 and potmeter VR1. Theminal is still 6.8V because of the zener is wired for a regulated 12V supply. IC1 same supply is also connected to a 6.8V diode. Thus now if the voltage at pin 3 ofThus the relay energises in two condizener diode (ZD1) through resistor R3. operational amplifier is higher than the tions: first, if the voltage at pin 3 of IC2 is Preset VR1 is adjusted such that for 6.8V, the output of the operational ampli- 6.8V, and second, if the voltage at above the normal supply of 180V to 240V, the fier goes high to drive transistor T1 and 6 of IC2 is below 6V. Over-voltage and pin voltage at the non-inverting terminal (pin energise relay RL. Consequently, the under-voltage levels can be adjusted using hence 3) of operational amplifier N1 is less thansupply is disconnected and electrical AC presets VR1 and VR2, respectively. appliances turn off. Thus the appliances This circuit costs around Rs 110.

AUGUST 2003

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