Safety systems are crucial in various applications, from industrial automation to home security. Integrating safety systems with Arduino allows for cost-effective and customizable solutions. This article will guide you through creating a basic safety system using Arduino, focusing on detecting hazardous conditions and triggering appropriate responses. The project will be adjusted to leverage Arduino's capabilities, making it accessible for hobbyists and professionals alike.

Project: The project involves creating a safety system that detects gas leaks and triggers an alarm. The system will use a gas sensor to monitor the environment and an LED and buzzer to alert when a gas leak is detected. The objectives are to ensure timely detection of dangerous gases and provide a clear alert mechanism.

Components List:

• Arduino Uno (1)
• MQ-2 Gas Sensor (1)
• Buzzer (1)
• LED (1)
• 220-ohm Resistor (1)
• Breadboard (1)
• Jumper Wires (various)

Examples:

// Define the pins for the components
const int gasSensorPin = A0; // Analog pin for the gas sensor
const int ledPin = 13;       // Digital pin for the LED
const int buzzerPin = 12;    // Digital pin for the buzzer

// Threshold value for gas detection
const int gasThreshold = 300;

void setup() {
  // Initialize the serial communication
  Serial.begin(9600);

  // Set pin modes
  pinMode(gasSensorPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(buzzerPin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  // Read the value from the gas sensor
  int gasValue = analogRead(gasSensorPin);

  // Print the gas value to the serial monitor
  Serial.print("Gas Sensor Value: ");
  Serial.println(gasValue);

  // Check if the gas value exceeds the threshold
  if (gasValue > gasThreshold) {
    // Turn on the LED and buzzer
    digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin, HIGH);
  } else {
    // Turn off the LED and buzzer
    digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin, LOW);
  }

  // Wait for a short period before the next loop
  delay(500);
}

Explanation:

• Pin Definitions: The gas sensor is connected to an analog pin (A0), while the LED and buzzer are connected to digital pins (13 and 12, respectively).
• Threshold Value: A threshold value is set to determine when the gas concentration is considered dangerous.
• Setup Function: Initializes serial communication and sets the pin modes.
• Loop Function: Continuously reads the gas sensor value, prints it to the serial monitor, and checks if it exceeds the threshold. If it does, the LED and buzzer are activated; otherwise, they remain off.

Common Challenges:

• Sensor Calibration: The gas sensor may require calibration to ensure accurate readings. This involves testing in a controlled environment to determine the appropriate threshold value.
• False Positives: Ensure the sensor is placed in a location where it can accurately detect gas leaks without interference from other sources.