Introduction: DIY | Easy Arduino Laser Tripwire Security System!

About: Hi there visitor! First of all thank you for checking out my profile! My name is Youri. I study Technical Computer Science in the Netherlands. I especially love the electronical part of my study. Since I lov…

In this tutorial I will be teaching you how you can build your own Laser Tripwire Security System at home!

You will need the following components and materials:

  • LED light
  • Laser Module
  • Laser Sensor Module
  • Speaker or Piezo Buzzer
  • 2 Small Breadboards with sticky tape on the back
  • Arduino
  • Breadboard wires
  • USB Cable (to program the Arduino)

This project is very simple to build since we won't have to modify any parts.

You can watch the video tutorial and finished product right here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X18CfOKtyTQ

Step 1: Aligning the Laser Modules

First off, we plug our laser module and sensor into the mini breadboards.
Make sure you align them properly, otherwise your alarm will start beeping as soon as you upload the code.

Step 2: Connecting the Speaker and LED to the Arduino

We will plug our speaker into GND and Pin 7 of the Arduino.
The LED will go into GND and Pin 13 of the Arduino.

I provided a image with all pins tagged to make things easier for you.

Step 3: Connecting the Laser and Sensor to the Arduino

Starting off with the sensor, the pins should be connected like this:

Sensor - Arduino
GND → GND
OUT → Pin 2
VCC → 5V

And now the laser module:

Laser - Arduino
S → GND
Middle → 5V
- → GND

I suggest using longer cables to connect the laser module, since you'd probably attach it to the other side of the room / door.

Once again I provided images to make things easier.

Step 4: Program Your Arduino

Connect the Arduino to your PC and program your Arduino using the code provided in this step.

You can change the alarm by editing the void "alarmTone" and the void "alarm".

If you don't want a delay or you need a longer delay in order to disable the alarm you can change the value "3000" in "delay(3000);" in the void "alarm".