Project Title : Electronic Letter Box.

ABSTRACT :
A simple Electronic Letter Box that, can be used to indicate whenever anyone receive a
mail (physical mail – like a letter). An LED will be used as an indication that anyone
have received a letter. Use 741 Op-Amp and Quad NOR Gate IC to design the circuit.

The main object of this project is:

1. Detection of receiving Mail

2. Inform user with an LED

Introduction :
In this project, We will show a simple Electronic Letter Box, a circuit that can be used to
indicate whenever receive a mail (physical mail – like a letter). An LED is used as an
indication in this Electronic Letter Box Project.

Usually, the LED stays ON. But when a letter is dropped by someone into the letter
box, the LED stops glowing i.e. it is turned OFF. This indicates that there is a letter in
the letter box.

IC Pin Configurations :

Figure 1: Pin configuration for the CD4001 IC.

Theory and Methodology :
The principle of the circuit is very simple. To identify the presence of a letter in the box,
we have connected an LDR as well as source of light. LDR, short for Light Dependent
Resistor, is a special kind of resistor whose resistance varies based on the intensity of
light falling on it.

Under low light or dark conditions, the resistance of the LDR is approximately 2 Mega
Ohm, while at the time of bright light, its resistance will fall down to few tens of Ohms. In
this circuit, the light source (an LED is used as light source) is adjusted with the LDR in
such a way that the light from the LED will fall directly on the LDR and when any letter is
placed inside the letter box, it will obstruct the light from falling on the LDR.

This change is detected with the help of a supporting circuitry consisting of 741 Op-Amp
and CD4001 (Quad NOR Gate IC) and an LED is used to indicate the presence of a
letter.

Figure 2: A Sample Electronic Letter Box Circuit Diagram Design

Components Required :

a. LM741 1[pcs]
b. CD4001 1[pcs]
c. Resistors
c.1. 10KΩ 5[pcs]
c.2. 1KΩ 2[pcs]
d. Capacitors
d.1. 0.1μF 2[pcs]
e. C1,C2(.1uF) 2[pcs]
f. LEDs 2[pcs]
g. LDR 1[pcs]
h. 5V Power Supply
i. Breadboard
j. Connecting Wires

Component Description:

LDR – It is a device whose sensitivity is based on the strength of the light incline on
it. With the increase in the strength of the light, resistance of the LDR decreases and
vice versa. When there is no light or in darkness, resistance of LDR reveal in the range
of mega ohms while in the presence of light it move down to few hundred.

LED – It consists of semiconductor which produces various colours of light as its output.
LED produces narrow-spectrum light at the time it is electrically biased in the p-n
junction at the forward bias state. When it is in the on mode, combines the electrons
with holes and in the form of light energy releases.

LM741 – It is basically all-purpose operational amplifier which is basically used to

enhance the performance of the circuit over industry standards. They are straight
forward plug-in substitute for the IC like 709C, LM210 also for MC1439 as well as 748 in
many of the applications. There are many applications which make it almost foolproof.
One is the overload guard on the input and output. Another one is the no latch-up at the
time common mode range is go beyond and independent from oscillation.

Resistor – Resistor is attached in any of the circuit to restrict the flow of current. There
are two varieties of resistors which are mentioned below.

 Fixed Resistor – Its value of resistance is fixed.

 Variable Resistor – Its value of resistance can vary. Suppose we have
resistor of 5K then its value vary from 0-5K ohm.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
When anyone drops a letter in the letter box, then this circuit will produce a visual alarm.
Operational amplifier LM741, Quad NOR Gate IC CD4001 and as well as the LDR are
the basic building block of the circuit.

Operation of this circuit is very easy. We need to install the LDR and the LED at the
different corners of the box so that the light from the LED will regularly fall on the LDR.
As a result of it, the output of the OP-Amp LM741 will be HIGH.

This high signal is given to Pin1 of CD4001, which is basically a NOR gate and it
produces output as 1 when all the inputs are at low state (which can find in the truth
table). So, the LED will keep on glowing point out that there is no letter in the drop box.

As soon as someone drops a letter in the box, light falling on the LDR is blocked and its
resistance reaches high. Due to which the output of the Op-Amp beomes LOW. This
LOW signal is given to Pin 1 of CD4001. Due to this, we will get Logic 0 in output Pin 3.

This in turn will get Logic 1 on the Pin 4. This is because the inputs to the second gate
is given from the Pin 3 and since both the inputs of the second gate receive logic 0, the
output at pin 4 will be HIGH.

Continuing the same way, finally, the output at Pin 11 will become HIGH and as a result,
the LED stops glowing as an indication that there is a letter in the letter box.

The LED stays off until all the letters are taken out of the box and once all the letters are
removed, the LED starts glowing once again.

Advantage Of Electric Letter Box :

1. Get notification when a letter received.

2. Cheap at cost.

3. Easy to maintain.
Cost Analysis :

Component Quantity Per piece Price Total Cost

Name

LM741 1 pics 25 Taka 25 Taka

CD4001 1 pics 13 Taka 13 Taka

Resistors 7 pics 2 Taka 14 Taka

Capacitors 2 pics 3.5 Taka 7 Taka

LED 2 pics 2 Taka 4 Taka

LDR 1 pics 20 Taka 20 Taka

Power Supply 1 pics 60 Taka 60 Taka

Breadboard 1 pics 80 Taka 80 Taka

Connecting 25 Taka 25 Taka

Wires
Total Cost: 248 Taka

Future Possibilities:

1. Get notification through the phone.

2. Count the number of received letter.

RESULTS:
The LED is turn off when a latter drop in the box. And it is still turn off until the letter
removed.

Conclusion:

In this project we make an electrical letter box. Which will send us notification through
the LED that a letter received. We made this project with very simple method, using
simple technology. This is a very useful to our everyday life.

Reference:

https://www.electronicshub.org/electronic-letter-box-project-circuit/

https://www.engineersgarage.com/electronic-circuits/electronic-letter-box

https://circuiteasy.com/electronic-letter-box/

https://www.eeweb.com/member-projects/how-to-design-electronic-letter-box-
circuit

http://topelectronicprojects.blogspot.com/2006/08/electronic-letter-box-
introduction.html

https://www.electroschematics.com/3800/electronic-mail-box/