CD-4011 Quad NAND gate -1 1N4001 Diode - 1

9013 npn transistor -1

4.7K Resistor - 1 yellow, violet, gold

1M Resistor - 2 black, brown, blue or brown, black, green
100K Resistor - 2 brown, black, brown

Figure 1 shows a circuit for sensing the water level in a tank and turning on or off a water pump
accordingly. The main component of the circuit is the CD-4011 Quad NAND gate, three gates of which
are used as shown in Figure 1 (gates G1, G2, and G3).  G1 is configured as an inverter (both inputs are
shorted), while G2 and G3 form an RS flip-flop. The level sensors are just copper or stainless steel wires.
   
When there is no water in the tank, the trigger sensor is floating and the inputs to G1 are pulled 'high' by
their pull-up resistor, causing the output of G1 to be 'low'.  This, in turn, causes the output of G2 to be
high, turning on Q1 which energizes the relay that powers up the water pump. At this point, both of G3's
inputs are high, so its output is low.
   
The water in the tank rises until it reaches the trigger sensor, which 'grounds' G1's inputs, causing G1's
output to go 'high'.  This does not affect the output of G2, though, since G2's other input (coming from G3)
is still 'low'.  Thus, at this point, the water pump keeps on filling the tank with water.
  
When the water level reaches the threshold sensor, G3's pin 9 input is pulled 'low', causing the output of
G3 to go 'high'. This means that both of G2's inputs are now 'high', causing G2's output to go 'low'.   This
turns off Q1, de-energizing the relay and shutting off the water pump.
  
When the water level goes below the trigger sensor, G1's inputs are pulled 'high' again, causing G1's
output to go 'low'. This turns on the water pump and the cycle starts all over again.
Water level controller is one of the most popular circuits in household and industrial
applications. Usually household water level controller is either mechanical controller
or based on digital electronics.

Controller described here is extremely simple and provide service as efficiently as

expensive controller. The circuit uses only two transistors and few other
components. Metal rod is used as level sensor and is placed inside the tank and for
better operation and long life aluminum rod is preferred.

Transistors are used as switch and are always switched on unless the sensor probe
is connected to ground with water as a conducting medium.

Initially when tank is empty both transistor are switched on due to base voltage
obtained form resistor R3 and R5, which switches on the relay (DPDT relay). As
relay is switched on, one of its contact (P1) switches on water tank while another
contact (P2) sorts the collector and emitter terminal of transistor (T1) because of
which transistor (T1) is bypassed. Now when water level reaches bottom level
transistor (T1) is switched off but as it was bypassed by relay the relay continues to
stay in ON state. Ultimately when water level reaches top level transistor (T2) is
switched off causing both relay and water pump to switch off. Now when water is
used and level drops below top level motor is not switched on because at this
instant transistor (T1) is in off state.

Circuit described here is extremely simple, cost effective and can be constructed by
any one easily.