Safety systems are crucial in various applications, from industrial automation to home security. These systems help prevent accidents, protect equipment, and ensure the safety of individuals. Leveraging Arduino for safety systems offers a flexible and cost-effective solution for hobbyists and professionals alike. This article will guide you through creating a basic safety system using Arduino, highlighting its importance and adaptability in different scenarios.

Project: In this project, we will create a basic safety system that detects gas leaks and triggers an alarm. The system will use a gas sensor to detect the presence of gas and a buzzer to alert when gas is detected. The objective is to provide an early warning system that can be used in homes or small industrial setups to prevent potential hazards.

Components List:

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

Examples:

// Define the pin connections
const int gasSensorPin = A0; // Analog pin for gas sensor
const int buzzerPin = 8;     // Digital pin for buzzer
const int ledPin = 7;        // Digital pin for LED

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

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

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

  // Print the gas level to the serial monitor
  Serial.print("Gas Level: ");
  Serial.println(gasLevel);

  // Define the threshold for gas detection
  int threshold = 300;

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

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

Explanation:

1. Pin Definitions:

   • gasSensorPin is connected to the analog pin A0.
   • buzzerPin and ledPin are connected to digital pins 8 and 7, respectively.

2. Setup Function:

   • Initializes serial communication for debugging purposes.
   • Sets the pin modes for the gas sensor, buzzer, and LED.

3. Loop Function:

   • Reads the gas level from the sensor.
   • Prints the gas level to the serial monitor for debugging.
   • Compares the gas level to a predefined threshold (300 in this case).
   • If the gas level exceeds the threshold, it activates the buzzer and LED.
   • If the gas level is below the threshold, it deactivates the buzzer and LED.
   • Adds a short delay to avoid rapid looping.

This example demonstrates a basic safety system using Arduino to detect gas leaks and alert users. The system can be expanded with additional sensors and actuators for more complex safety applications.