Final Project Journal

Project Ideation

1- Tell us about the idea of your project. Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects

Smart Energy Guard is a compact device designed to monitor the power consumption of home appliances connected to a power strip. It goes beyond simple energy tracking by detecting human presence in the room. If an appliance is left running while no one is around, the system alerts the user, helping reduce unnecessary energy usage. It visualizes real-time electrical data such as current, power, and optionally logs energy usage over time .

Image generated in IA

it has always been my dream to create something useful in my own hand and today I will be able concretize .

Project Construction

2- Explain the CAD process of your project. How did you use the software to design your project? (List the softwares/tools/materials...etc that you used)

Cad Software

CAD Software

For Electronics

Shechts

First, I started to create each side a components.

This is the front face fully defined with each component's holes and taps with -T-Slots added.

this is the back that I copie-past new to the front and projected some geometry

this the right and left side of my enclosure with fully defined

this is the bottom projected with the holes of T-slot and taps

This the sketch of my left roof of the house (enclosure)

The right roof

This is the sketch for holding a lamp

Extruded Part

Front side part

Back Side

The Right and left side

Bottom

the lefts roof

The Right Roof

After assembling all sides with the electronic components inside

3- Explain the fabrication process of your project. How did you use the machine to fabricate your project? (List the softwares/tools/materials...etc that you used)

Tools & electronics

3mm Plywood sheet

RdWorks Cam Software

EL Malky ML 149 C02 Laser Cutter

Fabrication Process

the parameters in RDWORKS

After saving the dxf files, I opened in Rd Works and, I added a snow shape downloaded in 3axis as decoration

First, I exported all the parts as “DXF for Laser Cutting.”
Then I imported the file into LaserCad.

I configured the appropriate parameters for each line and adjusted the cutting speed and power:

Cut: Speed 30, Power 50
Speed Cut: Speed 330, Power 18
Scan: Speed 330, Power 20

Next, I exported the file in AI format.
Copy the AI file to the machine and select it.

Place the plywood sheet on the machine.
Make sure it’s flat; if it’s warped, secure it with a holder or clamps.

Adjust the focal length.

Choose the area where you want to cut and set the origin.

Click on “Frame” to check the size and ensure the design fits.

Finally, click “Start” to begin cutting

ALL pieces after been cut

Project Electronics & Power Management

4- Describe your electronic circuit. What are the input and action components? What is the function of each? How do the components integrate together to form your smart system? (List the softwares/tools/components...etc that you used)

Tools

Fritzing for wiring

For components

Arduino IDE

Arduino Board

LCD I2C

Ultrasonic

Voltage Sensor 25V

Current Sensor ACS712/5A

Crocodile Wire

Jumpers

Avometer

Breadboard

Buzzer

Relay 1 channel

Voltage Regulator 5V

5V dc fan

Light bulb

Led

220ohm resistor

9v power Adaptor

Wiring Circuit in Fritzing

This circuit contains 3 inputs (Voltage sensors, current sensor, and also ultrasonic to sense a presences).
it has also 6 outputs (LCD screen who show us the data coming from sensor, 2 Leds to tell different situation, one buzzer for alarm, 1 relay who cut the current and One dc fan and lamp 12v).
when the Arduino is powered and also the dc jack who is related to the relay the system starts and in the lcd you can see the different data (voltage, current, power, energy) measures by the sensors
As long the ultrasonic sense a presence in room the dc fan and lamp will and the blue led will work but once you leave this era the buzzer buzze for 10min and the red light up after this time everything shut down .

5- What is your power source? How did you select the suitable power source for your project? (List the softwares/tools/components...etc that you used)

My project uses two 9 V DC adapters: one powers the Arduino and sensors, and the other powers the relay which drives the DC fan and the 12 V lamp. I selected them because they provide enough voltage and current for each part of the system, after checking the modules’ datasheets and using simple online calculators for current and voltage needs.

Project Programming

6- Describe the code of your project. How did you program each function of the project?

I included all requirement libraries and then I started to define the pin of current sensor and voltage sensor with his calibration

Then I started to define the Pins of my inputs and Outputs and calibration of the time to be counted in the meantime and also a counting

After this, I started to define nature of my components(input or output), and also printing the calibration in the LCD

after this I calibrated the ACS712 sensor automatically(acs.ma_AC) by calling his libraries and also the voltage coming in the circuit.

After calibrating everything in the Void loop, I first made a condition to stablish the voltage and current so that the noise become less and then I calculated the power and energy to know how munch my device consumed (monitoring)

Printing all data

this part, I started to write down an if condition who is telling "if the ultrasonics doest sense any presence, their will be a 10s were the buzzer ring as alarm to alert the user , if it does not see someone the relay turn off the current and their will be a red led who will turn on and the buzzer shut down"

Project Integration & Testing

7- Demonstrate with text and visuals how did you integrate the project’s modules together? What are the testing results? (Include a Demo video separately, showing a proof of functionality)

WhatsApp Vidéo 2025-09-24 à 06.05.12_1f6e6560.mp4

A video of simulation for the energy monitoring system

NB: "In this video, I used a dc motor instead of lamp

INTEGRATION PART

First, I started on fixe my components( relais, Arduino, current sensor and voltage sensor) into de base by using

Then I put my ultrasonic, Leds, LCD and buzzer on the front face.

after this I fixed my lamp on the support that I attached on front face and the back.

Then I put the jack on the back for my second alimentation

Fixed the back at the bottom with M3 screw

Then I fixed the dc fan on the roof face with screw.

Assembled with the other face.

Finally, I assembled all face together with all components

Overcoming Challenges

9- When you got stuck, what/who did you turn to? At what point did you have to pause to research or learn more before moving on? What are some mistakes, pitfalls, or challenges that others can avoid if they were doing this project?

When I got stuck, I asked for my instructor Ahmed Sami to troubleshoot. I paused to research sensor calibration, wiring, and libraries. The biggest challenges were noisy readings and wrong offsets. Others can avoid this by testing each sensor separately, calibrating first, sharing the same ground, and using the right library for their module because in code I used the libraries of rob for ACS712 it's the best librairie for current sensor it can automatically calculate. And also the biggest challenge for me to create this project was high voltage and also because if I wanted to really complete my project. so I had to figure out how to make my project in low voltage and then I find out that it's really possible but I can't make it efficace.

Future Work

10- If you had more time, what is one thing you would change/ Do next in your project?

If I had more time:

1_ I would design a better enclosure

2_ add data logging via Wifi so that it can send me in the alarm and power consumption even if I'm not at home to a mobile app,

3_ improve sensor filtering for more stable readings.

Final Project Design Files

DXF Laser Cut

Arduino code

Wiring Fritzing

Assembly f3z

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