Potentiometers and sensing in a greenhouse window

[44brian44]

Homework Statement

I am doing a piece of work on potentiometers/potential dividers and i need to design a sensor circuit to detect 60 degrees of movement of a greenhouse window. I then need to be able to see the position of this window on an analogue display (this is a 5V voltmeter with a pointer/dial). How do i create such a circuit?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I know that i need a rotary potentiometer and a 5V voltmeter (with analogue display) but how do i connect this apparatus together in a circuit and what other electrical items do i need? Diagrams would be extremely helpful. Many Thanks

 

[anathema]

Dear student,

To design a sensor circuit to detect 60 degrees of movement of a greenhouse window, you will need a rotary potentiometer, a 5V voltmeter, and a few additional electrical components. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create such a circuit:

1. Gather your materials: As mentioned, you will need a rotary potentiometer, a 5V voltmeter, and some additional electrical components. These may include resistors, wires, a breadboard, and a power supply. You may also need a multimeter to test your circuit.

2. Connect the potentiometer: Connect the three terminals of the potentiometer to the breadboard. The outer two terminals will be connected to the power supply, while the middle terminal will be connected to the voltmeter.

3. Add a resistor: To ensure a stable output, you can add a resistor in series with the potentiometer. This will also help in reducing any noise in the circuit. The value of the resistor can vary depending on the resistance of your potentiometer, but a value between 1kΩ to 10kΩ should work well.

4. Connect the voltmeter: Connect the positive terminal of the voltmeter to the middle terminal of the potentiometer, and the negative terminal to the ground.

5. Test the circuit: With the potentiometer in its initial position, turn on the power supply and check the output voltage on the voltmeter. It should be close to 5V. As you rotate the potentiometer, the voltage should decrease.

6. Calibrate the circuit: To detect a specific angle of movement, you will need to calibrate the circuit. This can be done by rotating the potentiometer to the desired angle and adjusting the resistance of the potentiometer until the voltmeter reads the desired voltage.

7. Add a display: To see the position of the window on an analogue display, you can connect a servo motor or a stepper motor to the potentiometer. This will allow the motor to rotate along with the potentiometer, indicating the position of the window.

I hope this helps you in designing your sensor circuit. Good luck with your project!

 

[Moetasim]

There are several ways to design a sensor circuit using potentiometers and a voltmeter to detect and display the position of a greenhouse window. One possible solution is as follows:

1. Start by selecting a suitable rotary potentiometer that can measure the desired range of window movement (in this case, 60 degrees). This potentiometer should have a resistance value that is smaller than the input resistance of the voltmeter.

2. Next, connect one end of the potentiometer to the 5V power supply and the other end to ground. This creates a voltage divider circuit, with the output voltage being determined by the position of the potentiometer's wiper.

3. Connect the wiper of the potentiometer to the input of the voltmeter. This will allow the voltmeter to measure the output voltage of the voltage divider circuit.

4. Make sure to calibrate the potentiometer by adjusting its position to correspond with the desired position of the greenhouse window (e.g. fully open = 5V, fully closed = 0V).

5. Finally, connect the voltmeter to the power supply and ground, and the display should now indicate the position of the greenhouse window.

It is important to note that this is just one possible solution and there may be other ways to achieve the same result. It is also important to consider factors such as the sensitivity of the voltmeter and the accuracy of the potentiometer when designing the circuit. As always, it is recommended to consult with a professional or conduct further research to ensure the accuracy and safety of the circuit.