Know about Under and Overvoltage Protection Circuit with WorkingFor the satisfactory working of all electrical and electronic devices, it is recommended to allow voltage at prescribed limits. Voltage fluctuations in electric power supply certainly have adverse effects on connected loads. These fluctuations can be of over voltage and under voltages which are caused by several reasons like voltage surges, lightning, overload, etc. Over voltages are the voltages that exceed the normal or rated values which cause insulation damage to electrical appliances leading to short circuits. Similarly, under-voltage causes overloading of the equipment leading to lamp flickers and inefficient performance of the equipment. Thus, this article is intended to give under and overvoltage protection circuit schemes with different control structures.Over Voltage or Under VoltagesTo understand this concept and know it better, one needs to go through three different types of over voltage protection circuits that use comparators and timers. 1. Under and Over Voltage Protection Circuit Using ComparatorsThis voltage protection circuit is designed to develop a low-voltage and high-voltage tripping mechanism to protect a load from any damage. In many of the homes and industries fluctuations in AC mains supply take place frequently. The electronic devices get easily damaged due to fluctuations. To overcome this problem, we can implement a tripping mechanism of under / overvoltage protection circuit to protect the loads from the undue damage.Overvoltage and Under Voltage Protection Block DiagramCircuit OperationAs shown in the above block diagram, the mains AC power supplies the power to the whole circuit and for operating loads by using relays, and also for tripping the load (lamps) in the presence of the input voltage which falls above or below a set value.Two comparators used as a window comparator formed out of one quad comparator IC. This operation delivers an error in the output if the input voltage to the comparator crosses the limit beyond the voltage window.In this circuit, an unregulated power supply is connected to both op-amps terminals, wherein each non-inverting terminal is connected through the two series resistors and a potentiometer arrangement. Similarly, the inverting terminal is also powered through Zener diode and resistance arrangements, as shown in the given under or overvoltage protection circuit.Overvoltage Protection Circuit using ComparatorsThe Potentiometer’s preset VR1 is adjusted such that the voltage at non-inverting is less than 6.8V for stable maintenance of load for the normal supply range of 180V-240V and the voltage of inverting terminal is 6.8V constant due to Zener diode.Hence the op-amp output is zero under this range and thus the relay coil is de-energized and the load is not interrupted during this stable operation.When the voltage is beyond the 240 V the voltage at the non-inverting terminal is more than 6.8, so the operational amplifier output goes high. This output drives the transistor and thus the relay coil gets energized and finally loads are turned off due to overvoltage.Similarly, for under voltage protection, lower comparator energizes the relay when the supply voltage falls below 180 V by maintaining 6V at the inverting terminal. These under and overvoltage settings can be changed by varying the respective potentiometers.2. Under and Over Voltage Protection Circuit using TimersThis is another under / overvoltage protection circuit for designing low- voltage and high voltage protection mechanism to protect the load from damage. This simple electronics circuit uses timers in place of comparator as in the above case as a control mechanism. These two timers combination delivers an error output to switch the relay mechanism when the voltage violates its prescribed limits. Thus, it protects the appliances from the adverse effects of supply voltage.Over Voltage Protection using TimersCircuit Operation:The entire circuit is powered with rectified DC supply, but the regulated power is connected to timers and unregulated power is connected to potentiometers to get the variable voltage.Both the timers are configured to work as comparators i.e., as long as the input present at the pin2 of timer is less positive than 1/3 Vcc then the output at pin 3 goes high and reverse will happen once the input at pin2 is more positive than the 1/3 Vcc.The Potentiometer VR1 is connected to timer 1 for under voltage cutoff, and the VR2 is to second timer for over-voltage cutoff. The two transistors are connected to two timers for making switch logic.Overvoltage Protection Circuit using TimersIn the normal operating conditions, (Between 160 and 250 V) the output of the timer 1 is held low so the transistor 1 is in cutoff state. As a result, the reset pin of the timer 2 is high which causes to output at pin 3 is high, so the transistor 2 conducts, and then the relay coil gets energized. Thus, in the normal or stable-voltage conditions the load doesn’t get interrupted.In the overvoltage condition (above 260V), the input voltage at pin 2 of timer 2 is goes high. This causes low output at the pin 3, which in turn drives the transistor 2 into a cutoff state mode. Then, the relay coil gets de-energized and the load gets tripped from the main supply.Similarly, in under voltage condition, the timer 1 output is high and it drives the transistor 1 into conduction mode. As a result, the reset pin of timer 2 is goes low and therefor the transistor 2 is in cutoff mode. And finally, the relay is getting operated to isolate the loads from the main supply.These overvoltage and under voltage conditions status are also displayed as LED indication which are connected to respective timers as shown in the figure.These are the two different overvoltage and under-voltage protection circuits. Both circuits work in a similar way, but the components used makes the difference between them. These circuits are simple, low cost and easy to implement and therefore, now you will be able to choose between these two for the best and reliable control with ease of implementation. So write your choice and for any other technical help to build electronic projects circuits in the comment section below.Photo Credits:Over Voltage or Under Voltages by staticOvervoltage Protection Circuit using Comparators by blogspotOvervoltage Protection Circuit using Timers by electronic-circuits Share This Post: Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest Post navigation ‹ Previous AVR Microcontroller (Atmel 8) Serial Communication USART ConfigurationNext › Electrical Projects for Engineering Students Related Content What is a Carey Foster Bridge & Its Working What is a Spectrum Analyzer : Working & Its Applications What is an Inductive Reactance : Definition, Unit and Formula What is Dual Trace Oscilloscope : Working & Its Applications 15 CommentsHello sir do you have Matlab simulation of this project?Under and Over Voltage Protection Circuit using TimersReplyHi Basit Sorry, we don’t provide simulation-based projects.ReplySir I have an issue while implementing a circuit on multisim that when I give voltage above 240 or below 180 then the circuit give same output on relay (ie 1.97 V ) … please tell me solution of the problem that how it work properlyReplyPlease tell the exact solution i also face this problemReplyHi Sunil be specify your query so that we will guide you.Hi Mr. Tarun do you have any circuit for auto reset overload protection circuit for stabilizer… please inform me..its very urgent for meReplyHi Kiran, For any assistance or customization of projects please email us on team@elprocus.comReplyEven i need auto reset overload protection circuit for the voltage range 200 to 450 V please help meReplyHi Pooja We are very sorry to inform you that we don’t have that circuit.how can i vary the ac supply ?? is there a variable ac supply in the circuit diagramReplyi m very much intrested in over and under voltage protection using timer but in the circuit shown i m unable to understand what is ‘R’ connected between ic shown on IC NE555ReplyHello hi…..:), I’am very much interested the presented article. first of all thank you very much in advance…:)can u pls suggest me, i need to protect the bore well motor with the 2nd ( 555 timer ) circuit. so, is it possible to set the (perfectly accurate) desired voltage by setting vr1 low and vr2 high presets…?can u pls clarify me about few doubts. 1. The pin 4 (Reset) of IC1 is connected to regulated ‘V’ out. then what is ‘R’ again connected to pin 4….? 2. The same pin 4 (Reset) of IC2 is also connected 2 same regulated Voltage out. and showing ‘R’ is connected in between R4 100k and T1 BC547. what is ‘R’..? 3. In place of 12v 250ma transformer, can i use 12v 500 milli amps rating…? because the above 12v 250ma transformer is not available in the market.Awaiting 4 ur valuable reply. Thanks in advance…:)ReplyHi Vamsi Krishna,We request you to please send your Specifications and requirements in detail to our official mail id: team@elprocus.comReplymay i use the circuit during fluctuation to prevent my entire home load before it affects any equipments….. and whether it controls all the equipments in the room or it will be applicable only some particular loads….???…..help me out from this doubt..??ReplyHi Anandha Prakash, For any assistance or customization of projects please email us on team@elprocus.comReplyAdd Comment Cancel replyComment:Name * Email * Website
Hello sir do you have Matlab simulation of this project?Under and Over Voltage Protection Circuit using TimersReply
Sir I have an issue while implementing a circuit on multisim that when I give voltage above 240 or below 180 then the circuit give same output on relay (ie 1.97 V ) … please tell me solution of the problem that how it work properlyReply
Hi Mr. Tarun do you have any circuit for auto reset overload protection circuit for stabilizer… please inform me..its very urgent for meReply
Even i need auto reset overload protection circuit for the voltage range 200 to 450 V please help meReply
i m very much intrested in over and under voltage protection using timer but in the circuit shown i m unable to understand what is ‘R’ connected between ic shown on IC NE555Reply
Hello hi…..:), I’am very much interested the presented article. first of all thank you very much in advance…:)can u pls suggest me, i need to protect the bore well motor with the 2nd ( 555 timer ) circuit. so, is it possible to set the (perfectly accurate) desired voltage by setting vr1 low and vr2 high presets…?can u pls clarify me about few doubts. 1. The pin 4 (Reset) of IC1 is connected to regulated ‘V’ out. then what is ‘R’ again connected to pin 4….? 2. The same pin 4 (Reset) of IC2 is also connected 2 same regulated Voltage out. and showing ‘R’ is connected in between R4 100k and T1 BC547. what is ‘R’..? 3. In place of 12v 250ma transformer, can i use 12v 500 milli amps rating…? because the above 12v 250ma transformer is not available in the market.Awaiting 4 ur valuable reply. Thanks in advance…:)Reply
Hi Vamsi Krishna,We request you to please send your Specifications and requirements in detail to our official mail id: team@elprocus.comReply
may i use the circuit during fluctuation to prevent my entire home load before it affects any equipments….. and whether it controls all the equipments in the room or it will be applicable only some particular loads….???…..help me out from this doubt..??Reply
Hi Anandha Prakash, For any assistance or customization of projects please email us on team@elprocus.comReply