This is a simple metal detector circuit, Can find various metal and adjustable

sensitivity Easy to use to place near metal. The circuit inside includes a few
components has IC-NE556 is at the heart of the circuit, with a principle of
Monostable multivibrator then show on Moving Coil Type Meter. Though very ancient,
it still has many uses.

The working principle

This project use principle of two thin metal sheets at install is under this tool
parallel to the metal sheet that we want to find, as Figure 1 Which will appear a
virtual capacitor. By one metal sheet will connect to pin 8,12 of IC1/1. And next
metal sheet will connect to ground of circuit as Figure 2 We so have the capacitor
connect with IC1/1 so making IC1/1 as the astable multivibrator continuously
generate the frequency.

capacitors virtual which caused from parallel of metal

capacitors virtual which caused from parallel of metal
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Figure 1 The capacitors virtual. Which caused from parallel of metal.

The capacitance virtual varies according to the type of metal found and a distance
between the metal pieces to this tool. The changing of the capacitance virtual will
cause The frequency signal that generates from IC1/1(NE556) will also change with.

The signal from pin 9 of IC1/1 goes to pin 6 of IC1/2. Which is connected as
(Monostable multivibrator) To produces square wave out to pin 5 in each time that
has triggering from IC1/1.

The signal from pin 5 of IC1/2 will be changed signal when sending through
resistors-R4 and capacitor-C4 will be filtered become to direct current voltage to
meter-M1. To display of finding to show us. The DC voltage level that changed
follows by the capacitance virtual.

Simple metal detector circuit

Figure 2 the complete circuits of simple metal detector

We can adjust sensitivity by VR2 and VR3 is offset voltage-controller to a meter

needlepoint at zero, or full scale on the left. To compensate for the display of
the meter can be easier.

Construction

When understanding the working principle of this project already. The next step is
creation First, the equipment you need to buy before. Then builds the PCB as Figure
3 show Actual-size, Single-sided PCB layout.

The parts list.

IC1___NE556__Dual timer_____= 1 pcs.
R1___1M 1/4W______________= 1 pcs.
R2___47K___1/4W___________= 1 pcs.
R3,R4___470 ohms__1/4W_____ = 2 pcs.
C1,C2___2.2uF 16V__Electrolytic capacitors ___2 pcs.
C6____47uF 16V___Electrolytic capacitor____1 pcs.
VR1___50K horseshoe-shaped variable resistor____1 pcs.
VR2___50K__potentiometer______ = 1 pcs.
VR3___1K___potentiometer______ = 1 pcs.
C3___1000pF 50V ceramic capacitor_____1 pcs.
C4,C5___0.022uF 50V Mylar capacitors_____2 pcs.
M1____200uA size Meter or VU meter
Other parts
PCB,wire,box,

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actual-size-single-sided-pcb-layout-of-simple-metal-detector
Figure 3 Single-sided PCB layout

Components-layout-for-the-pcb-of-simple-metal-detector
Figure 4 Component layout for the PCB

Next, assemble various components similar in Figure 4 should put a low component
before such as the resistors Accordance with the following equipment height, and do
not forget to be careful about the legs of the device and the value of it.

Customization
Then later assemble the circuit successfully and fully check circuit. Then press
switch power on to circuit, and then adjust sensitivity (VR2) to full left. And
rotate adjust offset (VR3) to fully right.

Next, see the meter needle do it deflect? If it does not deflect so adjust VR1 on
PCB. You will see the meter needle deflect up. Then adjust VR1 maximum scale, net
step needle will fell so stop adjusting

Later adjust VR2 to right and see meter needle must to right as adjusting, and try
to adjust VR3 to the left to see what the meter needle to the left will be caught
by the fine as well. Adjust VR2 and VR3 finished to its original position. It
indicates that the circuit is working perfectly.

Applications.

For this project can check objects with property Is it the metal? By the when we
want to find metal. First, setting VR2 and VR3, press switch for power on.

Then, adjust VR3 to the left. To turn the meter needle to the left of the meter
scale. Nearly end scale to the right and then to adjust VR2. To turn to the right
hand of modest scale. Then adjust VR3 back to the left again. To turn the meter
needle to the left again at the same location. Just this tool is available to find
metal.

When found metal the meter needle will turn up. If the meter needle hit too hard,
after finding metal, adjust VR2 reduced. This tool can be applied to many
applications. For example, use looking for steel beam with a ceiling covered. Etc.