Tachometer

A tachometer is an instrument that measures the rotational speed of a shaft or disk in a motor or other machine. Here we present the basic version of the tachometer that shows the revolutions per second (RPS) on a digital display.

Fig. 1 shows the block diagram of the tachometer. Fig. 2 shows the circuit of the tachometer, which is built around timer IC 555 (IC1), IC 7811 (IC2), IC CD4081 (IC3), IC CD4069 (IC4), two CD4033 ICs (IC5 and IC6) and two common-cathode displays (each LTS543) along with some discrete components. IC1 is wired in monostable mode and produces 1-second pulse when triggered by switch S2. Variable resistor VR1 is used for setting the time period of IC1. IC2 generates pulses when the shaft is moving.

IC5 (CD4033) is a decade counter with seven-segment decoded output, which is connected to DIS1 for displaying unit’s place. Pins 2 and 14 of IC5 are grounded. Pin 5 (CO) of IC5 provides a pulse when the count overflows (count reaches from 0 to 9). This pulse is used as the clock input to IC6 via NOT gate N3. That is, after ten pulses from IC5, there will be an increment of one pulse in IC6. Thus when the unit’s counting completes in DIS1, further counting is shown on DIS2. A maximum of 99 digits can be counted and shown on DIS1 and DIS2.

- Advertisement -

Tachometer circuit

Working of the circuit is simple. Place IC2 such that when the motor shaft rotates, it cuts the IR signal to produce pulses at its output pin 3. That is, as the motor rotates, the shaft cuts the internal light beam within the slot of the optocoupler (IC2). As a result, pulses are generated. This train of pulses is applied to input pin 1 of AND gate N1. Pin 2 of AND gate N1 is connected to output pin 3 of IC1.

To measure the RPS of the shaft, press switch S2 momentarily to enable gate N1 for time duration of one second via the monostable multivibrator (IC1). The pulses are applied as clocks to IC5. The counter increments and generates the code to drive the seven-segment displays. The displays show the number of counts in one second. Accordingly, you can simply calculate revolutions per minute (RPM).

- Advertisement -

Construction & testing

Assemble the circuit on a general-purpose PCB and enclose in a cabinet with enough space for the battery, switches and motor. Connect the 9V battery and the module is now ready to display the RPS of the motor. As shown in Fig. 3, fix a nose on the motor shaft so that it can cut the internal IR beam of the optocoupler.

The article was originally published in December 2010 and has recently been updated.