DESIGN

Student: Odunze Precious Chigozie
Supervisor: Engr Ifeanyi Ogbu
HOD: Engr O.n Asanya
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
School of Engineering
Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, Enugu State

Abstract

ABTSRACT. Water is an essential resource used in homes, industries, and institutions for various purposes. In many buildings, water is stored in overhead tanks and supplied using electric pumps. However, the operation of these pumps is often done manually, which can lead to several problems such as water overflow, wastage of electricity, and damage to the pumping machine due to dry running. Continuous manual monitoring of water levels is also inconvenient and inefficient. This project presents the design and construction of an Automatic Water Level Controller for a 2000-liter water storage tank using a 1HP pumping machine. The system is developed to automatically monitor and control the water level in the storage tank without the need for human intervention. The controller operates by using water level sensing probes placed at different levels inside the tank to detect the minimum and maximum water levels. When the water level drops below the preset minimum level, the sensor sends a signal to the control circuit which activates a relay or contactor to switch ON the 1HP pump. As the pump fills the tank, the water level gradually rises until it reaches the maximum level sensor. At this point, the system automatically switches OFF the pump to prevent overflow. The control unit consists of sensing electrodes, a relay switching system, indicator units, and a power supply circuit. The relay is used to control the high current required by the 1HP pump while maintaining electrical safety for the control circuit. The system also incorporates protective features to reduce the risk of pump damage and improve operational efficiency. The developed system was constructed, tested, and evaluated to determine its effectiveness in controlling water levels in the storage tank. Test results showed that the controller successfully turned the pump ON when the water level was low and OFF when the tank was full. The system therefore minimizes water wastage, conserves electrical energy, reduces the need for manual monitoring, and improves the lifespan of the pumping machine. In conclusion, the automatic water level controller provides a simple, reliable, and cost-effective solution for efficient water management in residential and commercial buildings. The design can also be further improved through the integration of digital displays, microcontrollers, or remote monitoring systems for enhanced performance and convenience.

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