Build an Automatic Night Lamp with Arduino

🧰 Components List

This project requires just a few basic components to create your automatic night lamp. Here's what you'll need:

Essential components:

• Arduino Uno/Mega: The microcontroller board that will process the sensor data
• LDR (Light Dependent Resistor): Detects ambient light levels
• 10K ohm Resistor: Forms a voltage divider with the LDR
• LED: The lamp that turns on automatically
• 220 ohm Resistor: Current limiter for the LED
• Breadboard & Jumper Wires: For easy circuit assembly

🔌 Circuit Diagram

💻 Arduino Code Example

int ldrPin = A0;    // LDR connected to A0
int ledPin = 13;   // LED connected to digital pin 13
int threshold = 500; // Adjust this value based on testing

void setup() {
    pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
    Serial.begin(9600); // For debugging
}

void loop() {
    int ldrValue = analogRead(ldrPin); // Read LDR value
    Serial.println(ldrValue); // Print value for calibration
    
    if (ldrValue < threshold) {
        digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH); // Turn LED ON if dark
    } else {
        digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);  // Turn LED OFF if bright
    }
    delay(100); // Small delay for stability
}
                                

Note: You may need to adjust the threshold value based on your environment. Open the Serial Monitor to see the LDR readings.

📘 Project Notebook Template

• Project Title: _________________________
• Date: _________________________
• My Objective: _________________________
• Materials I Used: _________________________
• Circuit Diagram: _________________________
• My Custom Pattern Idea: _________________________
• What I Learned: _________________________
• Challenges I Solved: _________________________

🛠 Troubleshooting Tips

• ✅ Check LDR orientation (it's not polarized but must be in voltage divider)
• ✅ Use Serial Monitor to check LDR values and adjust threshold
• ✅ Test LED separately to verify it works
• ✅ Try different threshold values for different lighting conditions

🎓 Learn More

Enhance your skills with our Arduino Sensors Course: https://www.madrasacademy.com/cool-tech-projects-arduino-sensors-course