Burglar Alarm Using LM 324

Princess Belle Marie David1, Justine Desamero 2, Genrev Kiel Hizon3

Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institue, University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Abstract the design project entitled Burglar Alarm Using LM 324
aims to create a circuit prototype of an alarm. This prototype
alarms person whenever an object is blocking the Light Dependent
Resistor (LDR). To integrate this circuit, it needed the usage of
LDR, light emitting diode (LED), and LM 324 operational
amplifier.

I. INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, there are lots of incidents happening related to
robbery and other crimes. And due to technological
developments, burglar alarm was created. A burglar alarm is a
system designed to detect intrusion unauthorized entry
into an area. Having an alarm makes a significant difference
for protection and security.
On our project, we use LM 324 OP AMP as voltage
comparator, two 4.5 V source, potentiometer, LEDs and LDR.
To simply summarize how it works, when an object is
place between the light source and the LDR, the LDRs
resistance will go up and the variable voltage will be lower
than the fixed voltage. The output voltage is zero and no alarm
will be produced. When the object is removed and light shines
on the LDR, its resistance will go down to about 5k ohms. The
voltage between the potentiometer and GND will be higher
than 4.5 V and the output of the op amp will be 9 volts. This
will power the oscillator circuit and produce a blinking red
light and beeping sound.
II. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
A. Circuit description

Fig. 1. Burglar Alarm Circuit

The circuit contains a 9V battery, three resistors (two-5k

and a 470 ), a white LED, an LDR, a 100k potentiometer,
an LM 324 operational amplifier, a sub-circuit for the
oscillator and a speaker.
The series connection of the two-5k resistors is
connected in parallel to the 9V battery. Connected between
the two resistors is the negative input of the operational
amplifier. A series connection of a white LED and a 470
resistor is also parallel to the source and to the series
connection of the LDR and the 100k potentiometer.
Connected between the LED and potentiometer is the positive

input of the operational amplifier. The output of the

operational amplifier is connected to the oscillator. The output
of the oscillator is then connected to the speaker.

Fig. 2. Oscillator Circuit

The second figure is the sub-circuit of the Burglar

Alarm. It functions as the oscillator of the general circuit. The
value of the capacitor connected to pins 2 and 6 is 1F. R1
and R2 are both 500k .

B. Circuit operation
It uses a voltage comparator (LM 324 OP AMP) that
compares the voltage from two voltage dividers. One is fixed
at 4.5 volts (9 volts equally divided between 2 5k resistors),
while the other is variable due to the potentiometer (sensitivity
adjustment) and the LDR (sensor).
When an object is place between the light source and the
LDR, the LDRs resistance will go up and the variable voltage
will be lower than the fixed voltage. The output voltage is
zero and no alarm will be produced.
When the object is removed and light shines on the LDR,
its resistance will go down to about 5k ohms. The voltage
between the potentiometer and GND will be higher than 4.5 V
and the output of the op amp will be 9 volts. This will power
the oscillator circuit and produce a beeping sound.
C. Project Construction
We started constructing the project from the LM 324 opamp. Then we proceeded by connecting the other components
on the left of the op-amp. After that, we constructed the
oscillator circuit with the output of the op-amp as the VCC of
the 555 IC. The output of the 555 IC is connected to the alarm.
We added a switch as we packaged the project.

should be connected between the 100k potentiometer and

the LDR.
E. Division of Labour

Fig. 3. Actual Circuit of the Burglar Alarm

For packaging purposes, we extended the wires of the LED,

LDR and the switch.

Research everyone
Procurement Hizon
Circuit Construction everyone
Packaging David
Documentation everyone

F. Bill of Materials
TABLE I

Quantity
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
5

Material
White LED
100k Potentiometer
555
9V Battery
LDR
LM 324
Protoboard
Speaker
Switch
Solid Wire (1.5 meters each)
Capacitors
Resistors
TOTAL:

Price
5
4
10
35
3
15
169
8
3
15
4.50
2.50
274

Fig. 4. The Project with its Packaging

III. PROJECT APPLICATIONS/ FUTURE WORK

D. Problems Encountered
The first problem our group encountered is that we do not
know what to connect on the pins of the LM 324 and 555.
We researched for the datasheet of the two and used the
datasheets as a guide in constructing the project. The next
problem is that we already connected the ICs properly but
we cannot make the project work as it should. The speaker is
on whenever the object is blocking the light source and it is
off whenever the LDR is receiving light from the light source.
We asked help to our orgmates and they told us that the
negative input of the op-amp should be connected between
the 2-5k resistors and the positive input of the amplifier

IV. CONCLUSION
This project aims to see the use of devices like operational
amplifier and LDR and their functionalities. With the
knowledge of basic electric circuit theories, this circuit was
constructed. Moreover, the project is useful to humans.
REFERENCES
[1] www.cicuiteasy.com
[2] http://www.electronicstutorials.ws/waveforms/555_oscillator.html