Electrical safety is a paramount concern when working with any electronic project, especially when dealing with microcontrollers like Arduino. Ensuring safe practices not only protects the components but also the person handling the project. This article will delve into the principles of electrical safety and how they can be applied in Arduino projects. Adjustments have been made to align these principles specifically with the Arduino environment, focusing on low-voltage applications and common safety practices.

Project: In this project, we will create a simple temperature monitoring system using an Arduino and a temperature sensor. The objective is to monitor the ambient temperature and display it on an LCD screen. Additionally, if the temperature exceeds a predefined threshold, an LED will light up as a warning signal. This project will emphasize safe handling of electrical components and proper circuit design to avoid hazards.

Components List:

• Arduino Uno (1)
• Temperature Sensor (LM35) (1)
• 16x2 LCD Display (1)
• 220-ohm Resistor (1)
• 10k Potentiometer (1)
• LED (1)
• Breadboard (1)
• Jumper Wires (various)

Examples:

// Include the necessary libraries
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

// Initialize the LCD library with the numbers of the interface pins
LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 5, 4, 3, 2);

// Define the pin for the temperature sensor
const int tempPin = A0;

// Define the pin for the LED
const int ledPin = 13;

// Define the temperature threshold
const float tempThreshold = 30.0;

void setup() {
  // Set up the LCD's number of columns and rows
  lcd.begin(16, 2);

  // Print a message to the LCD
  lcd.print("Temp Monitor");

  // Set the LED pin as an OUTPUT
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);

  // Initialize serial communication
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  // Read the value from the temperature sensor
  int tempReading = analogRead(tempPin);

  // Convert the analog reading to voltage
  float voltage = tempReading * (5.0 / 1023.0);

  // Convert the voltage to temperature in Celsius
  float temperatureC = voltage * 100.0;

  // Print the temperature to the LCD
  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  lcd.print("Temp: ");
  lcd.print(temperatureC);
  lcd.print(" C");

  // Print the temperature to the Serial Monitor
  Serial.print("Temperature: ");
  Serial.print(temperatureC);
  Serial.println(" C");

  // Check if the temperature exceeds the threshold
  if (temperatureC > tempThreshold) {
    // Turn on the LED
    digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
  } else {
    // Turn off the LED
    digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
  }

  // Wait for a second before taking another reading
  delay(1000);
}

Safety Tips:

1. Power Supply: Always use a regulated power supply for your Arduino projects. Avoid using power sources that exceed the recommended voltage levels.
2. Insulation: Ensure all exposed wires and connections are properly insulated to prevent short circuits.
3. Component Ratings: Use components that are rated for the voltage and current in your project. Overloading components can cause overheating and potential hazards.
4. Breadboard Safety: When using a breadboard, ensure connections are secure and avoid loose wires that can cause accidental shorts.
5. Environment: Work in a dry, non-static environment to prevent damage to sensitive electronic components.