Automatic irrigation system using a programmable

logic controller
Mostefa M.Ghassoul M.I.E.E.E.
Dammam Technical College
BP 7650
Dammam 31472

1-Abstract:
This paper presents a design of a programmable logic controller based system to
control an automatic irrigation system . The system is composed of three modules: the
solar panel producing energy stored in a battery, water storage and the irrigation
system.
The irrigation system composes of three samples simulating three different
agriculture fields. The Humidity of each field is different from that of other fields
according to the requirement of different plantation. It is controlled by two sensors,
for minimum and maximum humidity. Each sample is irrigated by a separate valve.
The valves are controlled by the PLC. If the maximum humidity is reached, the PLC
turns off the concerned valve feeding the concerned sample. When all samples have
reached their respective maximum humidity, the PLC turns off the main pump. The
system has been designed, built and tested successfully.

2-Introduction: the same battery. This machine has a

It is well known the harshness of
nature in the kingdom where water is a
commodity. It is of prime importance
to utilize it wisely especially in the
sector needed most i.e. agriculture.
By using traditional techniques, a large
amount is wasted.
In this project, we are trying to draw
the attention of researchers to this
crucial point and look at ways by
which this precious commodity could
be customized.
Here we are presenting a humble
attempt by developing a small
irrigation system. The system is
developed around a Siemens micro
PLC based on the S7 CPU216 with
step7 micro win operating system. The
PLC has got 24 inputs,16 outputs all
integrated in the same module, as well
as the power supply. This type of PLC
could be either energized from AC or
DC source. If energized from DC
source, it could draw its power from
very powerful instruction set where,
unlike its predecessors (step5
machines) where there too many
blocks and the system shuttles forth
and back between blocks for different
tasks, it could perform subroutines,
interrupts, different complicate
mathematics ect. It is also flexible
program wise ,where it could be
programmed from any descent PC with
windows95.It is worthwhile here to
mention the cost effectiveness,
reliability and flexibility compared
with other alternatives.
3-Energy production and water
pumping:
The energy is produced using a solar
cell which tracks the sun automatically
to obtain maximum output. The system
is shown in figure(1) together with the
pumping system and was described in
details in(1). The control is made by a
step7 micro PLC.
4- Irrigation fields:
 The fields are rectangular in shape
with 1metre by 0.5metre in
dimensions, mounted on a table filled
with soil and irrigated by shower type
pipe so that even distribution is
insured. Each pipe is controlled by an
electro valve driven by the PLC. The
water is pumped by an electro pump
also controlled by the PLC.
5- Humidity pick up:
It is well known that the more
moisture in the soil, the more it
conducts electricity; so its resistance
decreases. This property has been used
in this project. Two copper probes
distant about 4mm apart are immersed
into the soil.
In dry soil, it was found that the
resistance is of the order of 38KΩ
when the moisture is less than 20%.
This resistance decreases to the order
of 12 KΩ when the moisture in the
soil is of the order of 80%.
The moisture is read as shown in
figure(2), where the two probes
(humidity sensor1) are connected.
To detect the minimum humidity, the
two probes (humidity sensor2) are
connected to one arm of the bridge
which is made of R4, R5, R6 and
humidity sensor2. The error voltage
induced by the non equilibrium is fed
to the inputs of comparator op-amp2.
When the soil dries up, the voltage on
the positive input increases and drives
the comparator output to 24V. This
output is read by the PLC through
input I0.7. This signal sets a software
latch. This latch opens valve1 through
relay1 so it delivers water to field1.
When the moisture starts rising, the
resistance (humidity sensor1)
decreases until the voltage on positive
input of op-amp1 becomes less than
that on the negative input, so that the
output of op-amp1 switches to low
level. This is connected to the PLC
input I0.6. This input resets the latch,
shutting down the valve.
The same thing happens with other
fields, with different settings of
moisture.
When the three fields are saturated,
the PLC stops the pump by sending a
signal though output Q0.3. This signal
pulls up relay4 which cats the power
supply being delivered to the pump.
6-Conclusions:
The project presented here is cost
effective, robust and flexible, where
one could change the design with ease
due to the flexibility of the
programmable logic controller. It is
highly suitable for the Kingdom where
solar energy is in abundance and water
is a commodity.
7-Symbols:
LSW1: limit switch 1 when activated
works with light sensor (LSN1) to
track the sun
LSW2: limit switch 2 when activated,
the cell reaches its maximum
LSN1: light sensor; when activated
along with LSW1, the system starts
tracking the sun
MIN1: minimum accepted level of
water in the tank
MIN2: minimum water in the well;
when activated to stops the system in
order to protect it from any possible
damage
MAX1: tank full
HSH1: maximum humidity sensor in
field1
HSL1: minimum humidity sensor in
field1
HSH2: maximum humidity sensor in
field2
HSL2: minimum humidity sensor in
field2
HSH3: maximum humidity sensor in
field3
HSL3: minimum humidity sensor in
field3
MTF1: motor rotating the solar cell in
the direction of the sun
MTR1: motor rotating in the cell to the
initial position after dark fall
Pump1: turn on and off the pump
filling the tank
Pump2 : turn on and off the pump
irrigating the fields
SON1: solenoid valve allowing
irrigation of field1
SON2: solenoid valve allowing
irrigation of field2
SON3: solenoid valve allowing
irrigation of field3

8- References:
1-programmable logic controller
system to control a solar panel used to
pump water from a well
M..M.Ghassoul and F.A.Radwan
5th annual IEEE exchange KFUPM
May19-20,98 pp 67-70
2- Siemens Simatic S7-200
programmable controller system
manual 1998

3-programmable logic devices and

programmable controllers
E.mandado, J.Marcus and S.A.Perez
Prentice Hall 1996
4-programmable controllers an
engineer's guide
E.A.Parr 1996
5- Advanced control system
technology

C.J.Chesmond,P.A.Wison and M.R.le

Pla 1991
6-The PLC handbook programmable
logic controllers made easy
K.clements-Jewery
and W.Jeffcoat
Prentice Hall 1996
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1- water storage 2-min level sensor 3-max level sensor 4-connecting cable 5-light sensor -6 solar panel 7-tracking
motor 8-gear box 9-field sample 10- humidity sensor 11- solenoid valve 12-interface box 13-step 7 micro PLC 14- min level
sensor 15-tank representing a W ell 16-pump