This project creates an automatic staircase lighting system that turns on LED strip lights when someone approaches the stairs and turns them off after a set delay. Perfect for improving safety on stairs at night while saving energy.<\/p>\n
Difficulty:<\/strong> Beginner The system uses two PIR sensors placed at the top and bottom of the stairs. When a sensor detects motion, it triggers the LED strip to turn on. A microcontroller tracks which direction the person is moving and can optionally light only the relevant portion of the stairs. The lights turn off after a set period of no motion.<\/p>\n If using a 12V LED strip, connect it to an external 12V power supply and use a MOSFET or relay module to switch it on\/off. The MOSFET gate connects to an Arduino digital pin.<\/p>\n This automatic staircase lighting project improves safety and adds a modern touch to your home. The system can be installed in a weekend and customized to match your home’s decor. With proper installation, it will provide years of reliable service.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Project Overview This project creates an automatic staircase lighting system that turns on LED strip lights when someone approaches the stairs and turns them off after a set delay. Perfect for improving safety on stairs at night while saving energy. Difficulty: Beginner Estimated time: 2-3 hours Estimated cost: $25-35 How It Works The system uses […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-projects"],"blocksy_meta":[],"yoast_head":"\r\n
\nEstimated time:<\/strong> 2-3 hours
\nEstimated cost:<\/strong> $25-35<\/p>\nHow It Works<\/h2>\n
Materials Needed<\/h2>\n
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Circuit Diagram<\/h2>\n
Connection Table (Arduino Uno)<\/h3>\n
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\n \nComponent<\/th>\n Pin<\/th>\n Arduino Pin<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Top PIR<\/td>\n VCC<\/td>\n 5V<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Top PIR<\/td>\n GND<\/td>\n GND<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Top PIR<\/td>\n OUT<\/td>\n Digital Pin 2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Bottom PIR<\/td>\n VCC<\/td>\n 5V<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Bottom PIR<\/td>\n GND<\/td>\n GND<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Bottom PIR<\/td>\n OUT<\/td>\n Digital Pin 3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n LED Strip (5V)<\/td>\n VCC<\/td>\n 5V (or external supply)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n LED Strip (5V)<\/td>\n GND<\/td>\n GND<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n LED Strip (5V)<\/td>\n DATA<\/td>\n Digital Pin 6 (for addressable)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Wiring Notes<\/h3>\n
Arduino Code<\/h2>\n
\/\/ Automatic Staircase Lighting with PIR Sensors\n\/\/ Uses two PIR sensors at top and bottom of stairs\n\nconst int topPIR = 2;\nconst int bottomPIR = 3;\nconst int ledPin = 6; \/\/ For simple LED strip control\n\/\/ For addressable LEDs, include the FastLED library\n\nunsigned long lastMotionTime = 0;\nconst unsigned long lightTimeout = 10000; \/\/ 10 seconds\n\nbool lightsOn = false;\n\nvoid setup() {\n pinMode(topPIR, INPUT);\n pinMode(bottomPIR, INPUT);\n pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);\n digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);\n \n Serial.begin(9600);\n Serial.println(\"Staircase Lighting System Ready\");\n Serial.println(\"Waiting 60 seconds for sensor warm-up...\");\n delay(60000); \/\/ Allow sensors to stabilize\n}\n\nvoid loop() {\n bool topDetected = digitalRead(topPIR) == HIGH;\n bool bottomDetected = digitalRead(bottomPIR) == HIGH;\n \n if (topDetected || bottomDetected) {\n \/\/ Motion detected - turn on lights and reset timer\n if (!lightsOn) {\n digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);\n lightsOn = true;\n Serial.println(\"Lights ON\");\n }\n lastMotionTime = millis();\n \n \/\/ Optional: print direction\n if (topDetected && !bottomDetected) {\n Serial.println(\"Motion at TOP of stairs\");\n } else if (bottomDetected && !topDetected) {\n Serial.println(\"Motion at BOTTOM of stairs\");\n } else if (topDetected && bottomDetected) {\n Serial.println(\"Motion at BOTH ends\");\n }\n }\n \n \/\/ Check if lights should turn off\n if (lightsOn && (millis() - lastMotionTime > lightTimeout)) {\n digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);\n lightsOn = false;\n Serial.println(\"Lights OFF\");\n }\n \n delay(100); \/\/ Small delay to debounce\n}\n<\/code><\/pre>\nCode for Addressable LED Strips (WS2812B)<\/h2>\n
#include <FastLED.h>\n\n#define LED_PIN 6\n#define NUM_LEDS 20 \/\/ Change to match your strip length\n#define BRIGHTNESS 64\n#define LED_TYPE WS2812B\n#define COLOR_ORDER GRB\n\nCRGB leds[NUM_LEDS];\n\nconst int topPIR = 2;\nconst int bottomPIR = 3;\n\nunsigned long lastMotionTime = 0;\nconst unsigned long lightTimeout = 10000;\nbool lightsOn = false;\n\nvoid setup() {\n FastLED.addLeds<LED_TYPE, LED_PIN, COLOR_ORDER>(leds, NUM_LEDS);\n FastLED.setBrightness(BRIGHTNESS);\n \n pinMode(topPIR, INPUT);\n pinMode(bottomPIR, INPUT);\n \n \/\/ Turn off all LEDs\n FastLED.clear();\n FastLED.show();\n \n Serial.begin(9600);\n delay(60000); \/\/ Sensor warm-up\n}\n\nvoid setLightColor(int startLED, int endLED, CRGB color) {\n for (int i = startLED; i <= endLED; i++) {\n leds[i] = color;\n }\n FastLED.show();\n}\n\nvoid loop() {\n bool topDetected = digitalRead(topPIR) == HIGH;\n bool bottomDetected = digitalRead(bottomPIR) == HIGH;\n \n if (topDetected || bottomDetected) {\n if (!lightsOn) {\n \/\/ Turn on all LEDs\n setLightColor(0, NUM_LEDS-1, CRGB::White);\n lightsOn = true;\n }\n lastMotionTime = millis();\n }\n \n if (lightsOn && (millis() - lastMotionTime > lightTimeout)) {\n \/\/ Fade out effect\n for (int b = BRIGHTNESS; b > 0; b -= 5) {\n FastLED.setBrightness(b);\n FastLED.show();\n delay(30);\n }\n FastLED.setBrightness(BRIGHTNESS);\n FastLED.clear();\n FastLED.show();\n lightsOn = false;\n }\n \n delay(100);\n}\n<\/code><\/pre>\nInstallation Steps<\/h2>\n
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lightTimeout<\/code> to change how long lights stay on. Adjust sensitivity pots on PIR sensors as needed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nTroubleshooting<\/h2>\n
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Project Extensions<\/h2>\n
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Conclusion<\/h2>\n