الرئيسية – كلية الهندسة – جامعة ميسان
Within the framework of applied engineering projects at the Engineering Faculty – Maysan University, students of the Department of Electrical Engineering (Second Stage – Morning Study) presented a distinguished project entitled “Advanced Irrigation System Using Programmable Logic Controller (PLC).”
The project aims to design and implement an advanced irrigation system based on a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) as the primary control unit to automatically and accurately manage the irrigation process. The system seeks to enhance water-use efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure that crops receive the appropriate quantity of water according to actual soil requirements.
The operational principle of the system relies on a Soil Moisture Sensor that continuously measures soil humidity levels and transmits real-time signals to the PLC unit. The PLC processes the input data and issues control commands to operate or stop irrigation through a Solenoid Valve and an electric water pump. When soil moisture drops below a predefined threshold, the PLC activates the pump and opens the valve to allow water flow into the irrigation zone. Once the required moisture level is achieved, the system automatically shuts down, ensuring optimized water consumption.
To enhance operational safety and reliability, the design incorporates two Capacitive Proximity Level Sensors installed on the water tank. The lower-level sensor ensures a minimum water level inside the tank and prevents system operation when the tank is empty, thereby protecting the pump from dry running. The upper-level sensor prevents tank overflow by stopping the filling process once the maximum permissible level is reached.
The system components include:
- PLC Controller
- Two water tanks (Tank 1 and Tank 2)
- Electric Water Pump
- Solenoid Valve
- Soil Moisture Sensor
- Capacitive Proximity Level Sensors
- Electrical Relays
- Suitable Electrical Power Supply
The system can be programmed either according to predefined irrigation schedules or based on sensor-driven logic. Furthermore, it allows for future scalability through the integration of a Human–Machine Interface (HMI) display or a remote monitoring system to supervise irrigation status and tank water levels in real time.
This project represents a practical embodiment of industrial control and automation principles using PLC systems. It contributes to advancing smart agriculture technologies and promoting sustainability in water resource management through intelligent and efficient irrigation solutions.
Project Supervision:
Lecturer Al-Hussein Muhammad Jumaa
Prepared by:
Ali Muhammad Ali
Nour Kamel Abbas
Ali Ahmed Saddam
Masuma Badr Hussein
Youssef Abdel Sattar Abdel Jabbar
Students of the Department of Electrical Engineering
Second Stage – Forenoon Study
