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Circuit Notebook

Interesting circuit ideas which we have checked but not built and tested. Contributions from readers are welcome and will be paid for at standard rates.

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Alarm clock with
day selector

This circuit disables an alarm clock on Saturdays and Sundays when people like to sleep in but enables normal operation on Mondays to Fridays so that people rise in time for work or school.

The core of the circuit is a 4017 decade counter which acts as the day counter and it is used in conjunction with a desk clock which acts the alarm and a watch module with alarm function which provides one clock pulse very day to the 4017.

In operation, the watch module feeds a day pulse via transistor Q3 to the clock input of IC1. This has seven outputs connected via day switches (S1-S7) and diodes D3-D9 to Q1 which disables the alarm signal to the speaker via transistor Q2. LEDs1-7 indicate the actual day (if you forget!).

To set the system, set the desk clock for the correct time and for the desired alarm time (eg, 6’o’clock). The watch module is set to the correct time and its alarm set to midnight. The day counter, IC1, is set to the correct day, as indicated by the LEDs, by pushing switch S12 and closing switch S8 or S9. S8 is normally left open to conserve the battery by leaving the LEDs off.

As shown on the circuit, switches S1-S7 are set to sound the alarm on Mondays to Fridays and disable it on Saturday and Sunday. However, you can change the days to suit your work habits.

Rasim Kucalovic,

Liverpool, NSW. ($50)

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