Piezoelectric Transducers as Source of Electricity for LED Streetlights

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONOne regular streetlight consumes 1.8 kW-hr per day, thus resulting to a greater budget allotment to power all these lights around the Philippines. This research study aimed to harness electricity from the piezoelectric transducers to power up a streetlight that was represented by a Light Emitting Diode (LED). The effect of the wheel mass on the voltage generation of these transducers and the accuracy of the Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) to trigger the lighting system when the light value was less than 400 lux were also studied.METHODSA schematic diagram was tested on a breadboard and was later made into a circuit. Three piezoelectric transducers were placed into acement road model and were connected to the circuit where the rechargeable battery and streetlight model were also connected. Three wheels with weights 10, 20, 30 kg were rolled over the transducers, 10 times each wheel. An LDR was used to function and light up the LED when the light value was less than 400 lux. Data were analyzed using two-tailed t test and One-Way ANOVA.

RESULTS

The piezoelectric transducers generated an average voltage of 3.85V. Since the computed t 1.93 was greater than the tcritical 1.6715, H0 was rejected. Therefore, the average voltage that the piezoelectric transducers produced was greater than 3V. The mean voltages generated by the piezoelectric transducers for the wheel weights 10, 20, and 30 kg were 1.22, 4.45, and 5.89V respectively. Since the computed F value 8.03 was greater than the Fcritical 3.35, we reject H0. Therefore, there was a significant difference among the generated voltages of the piezoelectric transducers from the wheel weights 10 kg, 20 kg, and 30 kg. The means of accuracy rates of the LDR on 6:00 A.M., 10:00 A.M., 2:00 P.M., 6:00 P.M., and 10:00 P.M. were 90, 100, 100, 90, and 100% respectively. The computed overall accuracy rate was 96%. Since the computed t 39.19 was greater than the t critical 2.1319, H0 was rejected. Therefore, the accuracy rate of the LDR as a light sensor to trigger the system was greater than 0%.

DISCUSSIONS

This study showed that the piezoelectric transducers could power up an LED in response to applied mechanical stress from the passing of wheel and it was concluded that the greater the mass of the wheel, the greater the voltage generation of the transducers. This research study could help save money for electricity and prevent vehicular accidents during night times.