Design And Development Of A Mechanical Water Level Based Automatic Pump Cut-off System

Abstract

Water Tank Overflow Is A Common Practical Problem When A Pump Is Left Running After The Tank Has Reached Its Required Level. Many Automatic Systems Solve This Problem By Using Electronic Sensors, Microcontrollers Or Other Control Hardware. This Paper Presents Aqua Alert, A Low-cost Prototype That Uses A Simple Mechanical Principle To Stop The Pump Automatically. The System Uses A Main Water Container, An Overflow Path And A Small Receiving Container Supported By An Elastic Member. When The Main Container Reaches The Overflow Condition, Water Enters The Receiving Container. The Added Water Increases Its Weight And Causes Downward Displacement Against The Elastic Support. This Movement Operates An Electrical Contact Connected To The Pump Circuit And Opens The Circuit, Thereby Stopping The Pump. The Final Prototype Was Developed As A Simple Alternative After An Electronic Approach Was Considered During Early Development. The System Uses The Physical Weight Of Overflow Water As Its Trigger And Does Not Depend On A Microcontroller Or Electronic Level Sensor. Prototype Operation Demonstrated The Intended Sequence Of Overflow Collection, Mechanical Movement And Automatic Pump Cut-off. The Design Is Simple, Low-cost And Suitable For Further Development And Testing.

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