MECHATRONICS ME156P-2 C4 ONLINE EXPERIMENT NO.

DIY EXPERIMENT: DHT11 Humidity and Temperature Sensor

DOMANTAY, ALVIN B. ONLINE Date Performed: 22/01/2024

2019102786 ONLINE Date Submitted: 29/01/2024

ME-3 Professor: Engr. Edward Ang

Discussion:

The experiment focused on analyzing the response of a sensor to variations in temperature and humidity
levels. By adjusting these environmental factors, students were able to observe and record the sensor's
readings, which provided valuable insights into its performance under different conditions.One key aspect
of the experiment was the emphasis on hands-on skills, as students were required to design and conduct
experiments to manipulate temperature and humidity levels. This hands-on approach allowed them to gain
practical experience in experimental design, data collection, and analysis, which are essential skills for
engineers. Furthermore, the experiment provided an opportunity for creativity as students explored various
ways to adjust temperature and humidity levels to test the sensor's response. This encouraged innovative
thinking and problem-solving, as students had to devise effective methods to control these variables and
ensure accurate measurements.

Learning Objectives:

ABET Assessment for the Arduino Experiment:

A: Students apply mathematical, scientific, and engineering knowledge by analyzing temperature and
humidity data in the experiment, enhancing their understanding of these concepts.

B: They design and conduct experiments to explore the effects of temperature and humidity variations on
sensor readings, developing critical skills in experimental design and data analysis.

C: Through the experiment, students design systems to monitor and interpret environmental conditions,
meeting specific needs related to temperature and humidity sensing.

D: While teamwork is not feasible online, students engage in multidisciplinary thinking by considering
various factors influencing sensor performance, fostering a holistic approach to problem-solving.

E: They identify and solve engineering problems related to sensor accuracy under different environmental
conditions, demonstrating their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical challenges.

F: The experiment underscores the importance of professional and ethical responsibility in conducting
scientific research and reporting accurate findings to ensure integrity in engineering practice.
List of Materials needed for this Experiment:

1. Arduino board - in different dimensions, with a popular model being the Arduino Uno, which is
approximately 2.7 x 2.1 inches (68.6 x 53.3 mm) in size.

2. Wires - vary in length, spanning from a few inches to several feet, providing versatility in linking
project components.
3. Bread Board - usually measure about 6.5 x 2.1 inches (165 x 54 mm), although sizes may differ,
and larger options exist for intricate projects.

4. Potentiometer - a variable resistor that can be adjusted to change the electrical resistance in a
circuit, typically used for controlling voltage or volume levels. Its feature lies in its ability to
provide precise and continuous adjustment of resistance, allowing for fine-tuning of electrical
parameters.

5. Temperature Sensor - a device that detects and measures the temperature of its surroundings,
converting the temperature into a readable output, often electrical signals or digital data. Its
feature lies in its ability to provide accurate and reliable temperature measurements, enabling
various applications in industries such as HVAC, automotive, and electronics.
List of SAFETY procedures

Step 1: Prepare the Arduino Board, Bread board, Potentiometer and Temperature sensor.

Step 2: Place Potentiometer on pin 18 to 20 and Temperature Sensor on pin 26 to 29 on the bread board.
Step 3: Connect a wire connecting the potentiometer from 2nd line pin of 18 to the negative pin, and wire
from the 2nd line pin of 20 to the positive pin. Connect a wire connecting the temperature sensor from 2nd
line pin of 26 to the positive pin and wire from 2nd line pin of 29 to the negative pin

Step 4: Connect a wire from potentiometer pin 19, 2nd line, to A1 pin of the Arduino. Connect a wire from
Temperature sensor pin 27, 2nd line, to A0 pin of the Arduino.
Step 5: Connect 5V pin of Arduino to the positive pin of the breadboard and GND of Arduino to the
negative pin of the bread board.

Step 6: Write the code of the simulation from the source and Start.
Write the complete Arduino Program use in this experiment with each line explanation what are the
commands/syntax used:

const int analogIn = A0; - declares a constant integer variable named analogIn and initializes it with the
value of A0, which is typically used to represent the analog input pin on an Arduino board.

int humiditysensorOutput = 0; - an integer variable named humiditysensorOutput is declared and

initialized with the value 0. This variable will store the output of the humidity sensor.

int RawValue= 0;

double Voltage = 0;

double tempC = 0;

double tempF = 0; - These lines declare four variables: RawValue, Voltage, tempC, and tempF. RawValue
will store the raw analog reading from the temperature sensor, Voltage will store the calculated voltage
from the sensor reading, tempC will store the temperature in degrees Celsius, and tempF will store the
temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.

void setup(){

Serial.begin(9600);

pinMode(A1, INPUT);

} - This function, setup(), is called once when the program starts. It initializes serial communication with a
baud rate of 9600, allowing communication between the Arduino board and a connected computer. It
also sets pin A1 as an input pin, likely to be used for reading data from a humidity sensor.

void loop(){

RawValue = analogRead(analogIn);

Voltage = (RawValue / 1023.0) * 5000;

tempC = (Voltage-500) * 0.1;

tempF = (tempC * 1.8) + 32;

Serial.print("Raw Value = " );

Serial.print(RawValue);

Serial.print("\t milli volts = ");

Serial.print(Voltage,0);

Serial.print("\t Temperature in C = ");

Serial.print(tempC,1);

Serial.print("\t Temperature in F = ");

 Serial.println(tempF,1);

humiditysensorOutput = analogRead(A1);

Serial.print("Humidity: ");

Serial.print(map(humiditysensorOutput, 0, 1023, 10, 70));

Serial.println("%");

delay(5000);

} - This is the loop() function, which runs repeatedly after the setup() function. It performs the following
tasks in each iteration:

Reads the analog value from analogIn pin and converts it to voltage.

Calculates temperature in Celsius and Fahrenheit based on the voltage reading.

Prints the raw value, voltage, temperature in Celsius, and temperature in Fahrenheit to the serial monitor.

Reads the analog value from pin A1, likely connected to a humidity sensor, and maps it to a humidity
percentage.

Prints the humidity percentage to the serial monitor.

Delays the program for 5000 milliseconds (5 seconds) before repeating the loop.

This code reads analog sensor values (temperature and humidity), converts them to meaningful units, and
prints them to the serial monitor every 5 seconds.
Data Gathered: Using the serial monitor,

Adjusting the Humidity from 10%, 40% 70% at Flat Tempe 24.8C:

Raw Value Mili Volts Temp (Celsius) Temp (Fahrenheit) Humidity

153 748 24.8 76.6 10%
153 748 24.8 76.6 40%
153 748 24.8 76.6 70%

Adjusting to Cold Temperatures at Flat 30% Humidity:

Raw Value Mili Volts Temp (Celsius) Temp (Fahrenheit) Humidity

20 98 -40.2 -40.4 30%
102 499 -0.1 31.7 30%
145 709 20.9 69.9 30%

Adjusting to Cold Temperatures at Flat 50% Humidity:

Raw Value Mili Volts Temp (Celsius) Temp (Fahrenheit) Humidity

20 98 -40.2 -40.4 50%
102 499 -0.1 31.7 50%
145 709 20.9 69.9 50%

Adjusting to Hot Temperatures at Flat 30% Humidity:

Raw Value Mili Volts Temp (Celsius) Temp (Fahrenheit) Humidity

166 811 31.1 88 30%
184 899 -39.9 103.9 30%
205 1002 50.2 122.4 30%

Adjusting to Hot Temperatures at Flat 30% Humidity:

Raw Value Mili Volts Temp (Celsius) Temp (Fahrenheit) Humidity

166 811 31.1 88 50%
184 899 -39.9 103.9 50%
205 1002 50.2 122.4 50%
Analysis of the Experiment:

Based on the gathered data, it appears that the experiment involved adjusting both temperature and
humidity levels and recording corresponding sensor readings. The experiment was conducted at a flat
temperature of 24.8°C for the first set of data points.

At varying humidity levels of 10%, 40%, and 70%, the sensor consistently returned the same raw value and
millivolt reading, indicating that humidity had no significant effect on the sensor's response under these
conditions. However, it's worth noting that the recorded temperature and humidity values remained
consistent across all three humidity levels.

In contrast, when the experiment focused on cold temperatures at a fixed humidity of 30%, the sensor
readings varied considerably. At extremely cold temperatures of around -40°C, the raw value and millivolt
readings were notably lower compared to readings at milder temperatures. This suggests that the sensor's
response is sensitive to temperature changes, with lower temperatures resulting in lower sensor readings.
However, as the temperature increased to around 20.9°C, the sensor readings also increased accordingly,
indicating a positive correlation between temperature and sensor output.

Similarly, when the experiment was repeated at a fixed humidity of 50% under cold temperatures, the
sensor readings followed a similar pattern, further supporting the conclusion that temperature has a
significant impact on sensor output.

Finally, the experiment explored the sensor's response to hot temperatures at a fixed humidity of 30% and
50%. Again, the sensor readings exhibited a clear correlation with temperature, with higher temperatures
resulting in higher sensor readings. This trend was consistent across both humidity levels, suggesting that
humidity had minimal influence on the sensor's response to temperature variations in this range.

The experiment demonstrated that the sensor's readings are primarily influenced by temperature
variations, with humidity having a negligible effect within the tested ranges. This highlights the importance
of considering temperature fluctuations when interpreting sensor data in applications where temperature
variations are significant.

Rcommendation:

Based on the findings of the experiment, it is recommended to use the sensor primarily for temperature
monitoring applications where precise and reliable temperature measurements are required. Given the
sensor's sensitivity to temperature fluctuations and its consistent response across varying humidity levels
within the tested range, it proves to be a suitable choice for environments where temperature regulation is
critical, such as climate-controlled settings in laboratories, industrial processes, or environmental
monitoring systems. However, for applications where precise humidity measurements are essential, it is
advisable to complement the sensor with a dedicated humidity sensor to ensure accurate readings across
a broader range of environmental conditions. Additionally, further testing and calibration of the sensor may
be beneficial, particularly under extreme temperature conditions, to enhance its accuracy and reliability for
specific use cases.
Conclusion:

The experiment conducted to analyze the sensor's response to temperature and humidity variations
revealed several key findings. Firstly, temperature fluctuations had a significant impact on the sensor's
readings, with lower temperatures resulting in lower sensor outputs and higher temperatures leading to
higher sensor outputs. This indicates that the sensor is sensitive to changes in temperature and accurately
reflects temperature variations in its readings. Secondly, the experiment showed that humidity levels within
the tested range (10% to 70%) had minimal to no effect on the sensor's response. Regardless of the humidity
level, the sensor consistently produced similar readings, suggesting that humidity variations within this
range do not significantly influence the sensor's output. These findings suggest that the sensor is reliable in
accurately measuring temperature variations, making it suitable for applications where temperature
monitoring is crucial. However, it's important to note that the sensor's response to extreme temperature
conditions, particularly at very low temperatures, may warrant further investigation and calibration.
Therefore, based on the experiment's results, it can be concluded that the sensor is well-suited for
temperature monitoring applications, but additional testing may be required to assess its performance
under extreme temperature conditions and to validate its accuracy and reliability across a wider range of
humidity levels.

Question and answer:

1. How does temperature variation affect the sensor's readings in the experiment?

- Temperature fluctuations have a significant impact on the sensor's readings, with lower temperatures
resulting in lower sensor outputs and higher temperatures leading to higher sensor outputs. This indicates
that the sensor is sensitive to changes in temperature and accurately reflects temperature variations in its
readings.

2. What was the observed effect of humidity levels on the sensor's response in the experiment?

- The experiment showed that humidity levels within the tested range (10% to 70%) had minimal to no
effect on the sensor's response. Regardless of the humidity level, the sensor consistently produced similar
readings, suggesting that humidity variations within this range do not significantly influence the sensor's
output.

3. What recommendations can be made based on the experiment's findings?

- Based on the experiment's findings, it is recommended to use the sensor primarily for temperature
monitoring applications where precise and reliable temperature measurements are required. However, for
applications requiring precise humidity measurements, it is advisable to complement the sensor with a
dedicated humidity sensor to ensure accurate readings across a broader range of environmental
conditions. Additionally, further testing and calibration of the sensor may be beneficial, particularly under
extreme temperature conditions, to enhance its accuracy and reliability for specific use cases.
4. Individually suggest electrical and mechanical standards or codes and local or international applicable in
this experiment. Cite source/s

Electrical Standard:

For electrical standards, the experiment should adhere to the guidelines set by the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Specifically, IEC 61010-1 outlines safety requirements for electrical
equipment used for measurement, control, and laboratory use. Adhering to this standard ensures the
safety and reliability of the electrical components used in the experiment.

Source: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) - IEC 61010-1

Mechanical Standard:

In terms of mechanical standards, the experiment should follow the guidelines provided by the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Specifically, ASME B31.3 outlines requirements for process
piping design and engineering, ensuring the structural integrity and safety of mechanical components
used in the experiment.

Source: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) - ASME B31.3

References:

Agarwal, T. (2019, August 6). DHT11 Sensor Definition, working and Applications. ElProCus - Electronic
Projects for Engineering Students. https://www.elprocus.com/a-brief-on-dht11-
sensor/#:~:text=DHT11%20is%20a%20low%2Dcost,sensor%20and%20as%20a%20module.

Circuit Basics. (2023, June 27). How to use a DHT11 humidity sensor on the arduino - ultimate guide to the
Arduino #38 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJJAQxyryoQ

DHT11–Temperature and humidity sensor. (n.d.). Components101.

https://components101.com/sensors/dht11-temperature-sensor

IEC. (n.d.). IEC - International Electrotechnical Commission. https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/4279

Process Piping - B31.3 Digital Book - ASME. (n.d.). https://www.asme.org/codes-standards/find-codes-

standards/b313-2018-process-
piping#:~:text=ASME%20B31.,related%20processing%20plants%20and%20terminals.