Circuit Schematic learn

R1_____________1M5 1/4W Resistor
R2____________15K 1/4W Resistor
R3___________100K Linear Potentiometer
R4_____________2K2 1/4W Resistor

C1___________330nF 63V Polyester Capacitor
C2___________100µF 25V Electrolytic Capacitor

D1_____________3mm. Red LED

IC1___________7555 or TS555CN CMos Timer IC
IC2___________4017 Decade counter with 10 decoded outputs IC

SW1___________SPST Slider Switch

B1______________9V PP3 Battery

Clip for PP3 Battery

Two Earclips with wires (see notes)

Device purpose:

Owing to the recent launching in Europe of Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) portable sets, we have been "Electronically Stimulated" in designing a similar circuit for the sake of Hobbyists. CES is the most popular technique for electrically boosting brain power, and has long been prescribed by doctors, mainly in the USA, for therapeutic reasons, including the treatment of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chemical dependency. CES units generate an adjustable current (80 to 600 microAmperes) that flows through clips placed on the earlobes. The waveform of this device is a 400 milliseconds positive pulse followed by a negative one of the same duration, then a pause of 1.2 seconds. The main frequency is 0.5 Hz, i.e. a double pulse every 2 seconds. Some people report that this kind of minute specialized electrical impulses contributes to achieve a relaxed state that leaves the mind alert.
Obviously we cant claim or prove any therapeutic effectiveness for this device, but if you are interested in trying it, the circuit is so cheap and so simple to build that an attempt can be made with quite no harm.

Circuit operation:

IC1 forms a narrow pulse, 2.5Hz oscillator feeding IC2. This chip generates the various timings for the output pulses. Output is taken at pins 2 & 3 to easily obtain negative going pulses also. Current output is limited to 600µA by R2 and can be regulated from 80 to 600µA by means of R3. The LED flashes every 2 seconds signaling proper operation and can also be used for setting purposes. It can be omitted together with R4, greatly increasing battery life.

Notes:

• In order to obtain a more precise frequency setting take R1=1M2 and add a 500K trimmer in series with it.
• In this case use a frequency meter to read 2.5Hz at pin 3 of IC1, or an oscilloscope to read 400msec pulses at pins 2, 3 or 10, adjusting the added trimmer.
• A simpler setting can be made adjusting the trimmer to count exactly a LED flash every 2 seconds.
• Earclips can be made with little plastic clips and cementing the end of the wire in a position suited to make good contact with earlobes.
• Ultra-simple earclips can be made using a thin copper foil with rounded corners 4 cm. long and 1.5 cm. wide, soldering the wire end in the center, and then folding the foil in two parts holding the earlobes.
• To ensure a better current transfer, this kind of devices usually has felt pads moistened with a conducting solution interposed between clips and skin.
• Commercial sets have frequently a built-in timer. Timing sessions last usually 20 minutes to 1 hour. For this purpose you can use the Timed Beeper the Bedside Lamp Timer or the Jogging Timer circuits available on this website, adjusting the timing components in order to suit your needs.
  

This circuit uses a 0.1O 1W resistor connected in series with the output of a power amplifier. When the amplifier is delivering 100W into an 8O load, the resistor will be dissipating 1.25W. The resulting temperature rise is sensed by a thermistor which is thermally bonded to the resistor. The thermistor is connected in series with a resistor string which is monitored by the non-inverting (+) inputs of four comparators in an LM339 quad comparator. All of the comparator inverting inputs are connected to an adjustable threshold voltage provided by trimpot VR1. As the thermistor heats up, its resistance increases, raising the voltage along the resistor ladder.

Circuit diagram:

Loudspeaker Protector Circuit Diagram

When the voltage on the non-inverting input of each comparator exceeds the voltage at its inverting input, the output switches high and illuminates the relevant LED. NOR gate latches are connected to the outputs of the third and fourth comparators. When the third comparator switches high, the first latch is set, turning on Q1 and relay 1. This switches in an attenuation network (resistors RA & RB) to reduce the power level. However, if the power level is still excessive, comparator 4 will switch, setting its latch and turning on Q2 and relay 2.

This disconnects the loudspeaker load. The thermistor then needs to cool down before normal operation will be restored. The values of R1-R4 depend on the thermistor used. For example, if a thermistor with a resistance of 1.5kO at 25°C is used, then R1 could be around 1.5kO and R2, R3 and R4 would each be 100O (depending the temperature coefficient of the thermistor). The setup procedure involves connecting a sinewave oscillator to the input of the power amplifier and using a dummy load for the output. Set the power level desired and adjust trimpot VR1 to light LED1. Then increase the power to check that the other LEDs light at satisfactory levels.

Author: David Devers - Copyright: Silicon Chip Electronics