Humidity and Temperature Measuring Device

A Project presented
in ESci 128 – Basic Electronics subject of the
Department of Mechanical Engineering
of the
Visayas State University
Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines

In partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the Degree
of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

By
Ibale, Dereck
Lluvido, John Casildo III
Nolledo, Jeorgia
Salazar, Marlou
Yuson, Maynard C.

May 2019
 Table of Contents
List of Figures .................................................................................................................... iv

Chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................. 1

The Problem and Its Setting ............................................................................................ 1

1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................... 2

1.3 Significance of the Project .................................................................................... 2

1.4 Scope and Limitation ............................................................................................ 3

1.5 Definition of Terms............................................................................................... 3

Chapter 2 ............................................................................................................................. 5

Review of Related Literature .......................................................................................... 5

2.1 Humidity and Temperature ................................................................................... 5

2.2 Arduino ................................................................................................................. 7

2.3 Potential Contribution of the Project to the Body of Knowledge ......................... 7

Chapter 3 ............................................................................................................................. 8

Methodology ................................................................................................................... 8

3.1 The Circuits ........................................................................................................... 8

3.2 The program .......................................................................................................... 9

3.3 The Case.............................................................................................................. 10

Chapter 4 ........................................................................................................................... 11

Results and Discussions ................................................................................................ 11

4.1 Result and its Discussion .................................................................................... 11

Chapter 5 ........................................................................................................................... 12

Conclusions ................................................................................................................... 12

5.1 Conclusions ......................................................................................................... 12

Gantt Chart ........................................................................................................................ 13

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Appendix ........................................................................................................................... 14

A. Temperature Data Sheet ................................................................................. 14

B. DHT11 Specifications .................................................................................... 14

C. Arduino UNO ................................................................................................. 15

References ......................................................................................................................... 16

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 List of Figures

Figure 1. Schematic Diagram ............................................................................................. 8

Figure 2. Actual Circuit of the Project ................................................................................ 8

Figure 3. Plastic Box ......................................................................................................... 10

Figure 4. Temperature Differentiation. ............................................................................. 11

Figure 5. The Project Inside .............................................................................................. 12

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 Chapter 1
The Problem and Its Setting

1.1 Introduction
From the disclosed information posted at the VSU website, Visayas State
University is in a location where sudden weather changes occur, with the sea at its front
and the tall majestic Mt. Pangasugan from behind. Also stated from a weather forecast
site, that some days can be as hot like in the desert and also wet for a sudden
accumulation of rain clouds. These changes could affect the humidity in some areas
which causes us to feel hotter or colder. When it rains the moisture in the area settles
along with the rain to the ground, this is why we feel cold when it rains. Our perspiration
evaporates due to the less moisture content and dry air within the area. We can also feel
cool even though we are directed to sunlight, this also happens when there is less
humidity. A great example of this is the people living in the desert. They only need to
worry about the sunlight because due to the low humidity factor, they actually feel cool
under the blazing sun. This is why the humidity is an important factor in how we feel our
surroundings.

Tolerable temperatures among humans’ ranges from 32 to 34 degrees Celsius. It

may be dangerous if a high percentage of relative humidity is present. It would only take
upon 10 minutes to suffer hyperthermia [1]. Worst case scenario would be heat stroke
due to the excessive heat. A relative humidity of 60% or more hampers sweat
evaporation, which hinders your body's ability to cool itself [7]. This clearly indicates
that the humidity is a huge factor for heat exhaustion. Thus, our group has gathered to
make a proposal for a device which can measure the humidity and temperature of an area
to gather basic parameters for environmental conditions.

The device uses Arduino UNO as its main processor and accepts data from the
DHT11 Relative Humidity and Temperature Sensor then shows it to the LCD (16x2)
screen. Simply there are only three sections for the whole device. The project would only
cost for an amount from 900Php to 1000Php. Since it is a group project, the cost is
divided accordingly.

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 Being aware of our surroundings is important knowledge. For a world
experiencing climate change, we believe our device can open new perspectives to people.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

These days, through climate change, the weather is in a state of rapid change.
Humidity and temperature has been a great factor of many life events. Lot of activities in
our daily life gets worse through the inappropriate surrounding condition. This project,
the humidity and temperature measuring device, will help us to determine the current
humidity and temperature of the specific place at specific time thus, giving us guide for
our future plans.

Therefore, a humidity and temperature measuring device is needed in order to

determine the current humidity and temperature of the specific place at a specific time.
This project addresses the need for such a model through the following specific
objectives:

 Create a device that instantly measures and displays humidity and temperature
at the same time.

o follow the circuit design provided.

o use an appropriate case for the device.

o using a component called DHT11 as the sensor for data

accumulation within the surroundings.

o provide an algorithm for the arduino UNO for measuring and

displaying the current humidity and temperature.

1.3 Significance of the Project

This project will give us weather awareness for we can instantly check the amount
of water present in the vapor or humidity and the temperature at a specific time and place
simultaneously.

2
 By using the device, we can directly know if the spot is good for a gathering or
any activities. Since we humans seek for comfort and relaxation, it is better to stay in a
cool place. It could also help students who are undergoing humidity experiments from
laboratories.

It can also be used to survey a location whether it is a suitable place for business
or other transactions. A place with a hot atmosphere due to an increase of relative
humidity would bring discomfort to the people and immediate dissatisfaction to the place.
By assessing, we can suggest to improve for better accommodation.

1.4 Scope and Limitation

This project is only limited in making a measuring device for humidity and
temperature. The experimenters are using an arduino UNO for the program of the device.
This device only measures the current humidity and temperature of the place and is not
designed for showing future and past weather conditions.

1.5 Definition of Terms

 Humidity - is the amount of water vapor present in air.

 Relative Humidity - is the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor to the
equilibrium vapor pressure of water at a given temperature.

 LCD – short for liquid crystal display. It utilizes two sheets of polarizing material
with a liquid crystal solution between them. An electric current passes through the
liquid which causes the crystal to align so that light cannot pass through them.

 IDE – Integrated Development Environment. It is a software used in the Arduino

to write and upload computer code to the physical board.

 Hyperthermia – is a condition where an individual’s body temperature is

elevated beyond normal due to failed thermoregulation.

3
 Arduino UNO – it is a microcontroller board. It has 14 digital input/output pins,
6 analog inputs, a 16MHz ceramic resonator, a USB connection, a power jack, an
ICSP header and reset button.

4
 Chapter 2
Review of Related Literature
2.1 Humidity and Temperature
“It’s Not the Heat. It’s the Humidity.” An article by Neel Patel, December 22,
2017 [2]. The article mainly focuses on the aspect where the humidity is the factor for the
increased heat index. This opens the eyes of the researchers to take humidity as an
important phenomenon not suited to be left out.

 Climate change–induced increases in humidity could actually exacerbate the

effects of heat to the point of making certain places in the world uninhabitable
later this century.

 He predicts that by 2080, we’ll see measurements of heat and humidity that go far
beyond safe thresholds in which individuals can still function normally.

 If a body can’t lower its temperature, one would start to feel tired and could cause
heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

“Heat and Humidity Are a Killer Combination” By Ethan Coffel, Radley Horton and
Colin Raymond [3]. The authors are climate scientists at Dartmouth College and
Columbia University. The article helps the researchers as to know the limits of heat index
whether when is a degree which dangerous or could affect our surroundings. And also
states a profound way to eradicate or lessen the said effects of heat and the humidity.

 They emphasize that the heat index, also known as the “feels-like” temperature,
shows how hot it feels when you consider the combined effect of temperature and
humidity.

 Heat indexes above about 137 degrees make any strenuous outdoor activity
critically dangerous and potentially fatal, even for healthy people. These
conditions are rare but not unheard of.

5
  The most direct way to minimize the effects of worsening heat and humidity is to
dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions — for example, by taxing carbon
and investing far more boldly in renewable energy.

The article wrote by Jeffrey Hovis, a science and operations officer with the National
Ocean and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service in Charleston, WV
[4]. This article serves as an additional information about the effects of humidity to the
area. The researchers can grasp more of the situation on field thanks to this.

 That the air we breathe is made up of numerous gases, including water vapor.
The term humidity generally refers to the amount of this water vapor in the
atmosphere. Each atmospheric gas has its own vapor pressure, a measure of the
number of molecules present at a given temperature.

 Humidity is most often used to describe how a person feels, often in conjunction
with heat. If it is hot and humid, a person will usually feel much more
uncomfortable. The reason for this is that the body tries to cool itself through
evaporation of moisture on the skin. But when the air is humid, evaporating the
moisture becomes more difficult and the actual cooling effect is much smaller.

Also an article from Ning Ding, Helen Berry and Charmiane Bennett [5] which gives
the researchers an idea about the possible health problems due to the increase of heat
index, this only says that the experiment to detect the surrounding humidity is important
and must not be left out.

 They implied about the increasingly variable and severe weather events such as
heat waves and droughts that would cause substantial harm to the human well-
being.

 They have undergone the association between mental health, heat and humidity
systematically by undertaking their case studies in New South Wales, Australia.

6
2.2 Arduino
A thesis work about the usage of Arduino in alignment with humidity and
temperature by Nagendra Dangi, from India [6]. The theses say about the technical
configures and manufacture of the device that would help the researchers on future
complications.

 It was known that arduino hardware and the software are open source. This means
that one can easily use the ideas generated by others in their work and modify
them without anyone’s authorization.

 It can be used by anyone to do anything they want to do with it. He also explained
about the development on temperature, pressure, and humidity. With the help of
the Arduino, the ability to meet the need of accurate and real-time monitoring and
controlling of environmental variables was captured.

Thanks to these authors, we have gathered the necessary information and principles to
continue for the making of the project. Thus we expect a smooth and careful progress.

2.3 Potential Contribution of the Project to the Body of Knowledge

Any project that depends and needs the humidity and also the temperature for an
area or secluded room, the researchers work and device will prove fitting in
accomplishing the present project. The quick accumulation of data from the device is an
advantage to the future researchers.

7
 Chapter 3
Methodology
3.1 The Circuits

Figure 1. Schematic Diagram

The researchers followed through the schematic diagram and rerouted some pins
for convenience in considering the Arduino device, since the Arduino bought is different
from the based schematic diagram. The researchers only understood the diagram and paid
no heed to the difference. The actual look is taken from the figure below.

Figure 2. Actual Circuit of the Project

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3.2 The program
The first two lines are built-in libraries in the Arduino IDE. [ #include<dht.h>] Is
the library used for our dht11 module sensor. Though there are lots of library available
out there but we used this because it is made only for dht11, but other libraries support
also dht12 and dht13. [ #define dht_dpin 8] This line declares the pin 8 of the Arduino as
the input of data coming from dht11 module. Under the [ void setup() ], it is simply the
code that shows the project name and subject at the beginning of every startup from the
device. This code under [ void loop() ] initializes the data read in the module. After
reading the data, “lcd.print” is a function used to display the reading into the lcd display.

#include<dht.h> lcd.print(" Humidity ");

#include<LiquidCrystal.h> lcd.setCursor(0,1);
lcd.print(" Measurement ");
LiquidCrystal lcd(2,3,4,5,6,7); delay(1000);
lcd.clear();
#define dht_dpin 8 lcd.print(" Project of ");
delay(1000);
dht DHT; lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
byte degree[8]= lcd.print(" Esci 128 ");
{ delay(2000);
0b00011, }
0b00011, void loop()
0b00000, {
0b00000, DHT.read11(dht_dpin);
0b00000, lcd.setCursor(0,0);
0b00000, lcd.print("Humidity: ");
0b00000, lcd.print(DHT.humidity);
0b00000, lcd.print("%");
}; lcd.setCursor(0,1);
lcd.print("TEMP: ");
void setup() lcd.print(DHT.temperature);
{ lcd.write(1);
lcd.begin(16, 2); lcd.print("C");
lcd.createChar(1, degree); delay(1500);
lcd.clear(); }

The program or code is basically the “thoughts” of the project and the Arduino
being the “brain”. The code above was fully understood by the researchers. The code is in

9
a loop so the data gathered from the sensor is instantaneously showed on the LCD screen.
This features the on-the-spot data of the device.

3.3 The Case

Fortunately, the group procured a durable plastic box which can encompass the
circuit and other components. They simply incorporate the components into it by making
holes and such for the convenience of the parts. The figure below is a picture of the
plastic box.

Figure 3. Plastic Box

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 Chapter 4
Results and Discussions
4.1 Result and its Discussion
When the device was finished, the researchers then started evaluating their
project. Firstly, the startup successfully showed and immediately turned to the data
viewing. This proves that the code and algorithm was working well. The humidity sensor
works and the temperature also and was viewed clearly unto the LCD screen. We tested
its temperature sensitivity by placing it on various locations along with another
thermometer and found that the data between both is nearly the same.

Figure 4. Temperature Differentiation.

The figure above shows that the left figure is of another project with a thermistor
and the figure on the right is the temperature based from the device.

The researchers figured the data was spot on because they felt hotter than usual
and sweats were accumulated in the skin hence that the humidity in the area is indeed
high. Without the presence of electric fans and the wind, a person would feel
uncomfortable within the area.

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 Chapter 5
Conclusions
5.1 Conclusions
The project was successfully accomplished. The algorithm also works well in
contrast with the other components. The device showed the temperature and humidity
percentage as it should be. They completed the circuit with the help of the diagram and
also procured a durable and plain case for the storehouse of the components. It was made
carefully to achieve its purpose and in the end they concluded a success.

Figure 5. The Project Inside

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 Gantt Chart
April May
Task Week Week
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Project Selection
Planning and Brainstorming
Order of Parts Online
Reading of RRL’s
Conceptual Design
Project Making
Proposal Writing
Consultation and Draft Revisions
Final Report Writing
Revisions and Final Approvals

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 Appendix
A. Temperature Data Sheet
The table is a list of the different temperatures on different locations using
two thermometers.

Temperature of a separate
Location Temperature of Project (°C)
thermometer (°C)
DME Lecture Room 31 30
DME Open Area 33 33
DAE Comfort Room 28 29
Upper Oval 31 32
Eco Park 32 33

B. DHT11 Specifications
a. Operating Voltage: 3.5V to 5.5V
b. Operating current: 0.3mA (measuring) 60uA (standby)
c. Output: Serial data
d. Temperature Range: 0°C to 50°C
e. Humidity Range: 20% to 90%
f. Resolution: Temperature and Humidity both are 16-bit
g. Accuracy: ±1°C and ±1%

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C. Arduino UNO
Arduino Uno is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P
(datasheet). It has 14 digital input/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM
outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz quartz crystal, a USB connection, a power jack,
an ICSP header and a reset button. It contains everything needed to support the
microcontroller; simply connect it to a computer with a USB cable or power it with
an AC-to-DC adapter or battery to get started.

 Microcontroller: ATmega328P
 Operating Voltage: 5V
 Input Voltage (recommended): 7-12V
 Inout Voltage (limit): 6-20V
 Digital I/O Pins: 14 (of which 6 provide PWM output)
 PWM Digital I/O Pins: 6
 Analog Input Pins: 6
 DC Current per I/O Pin: 20 mA
 DC current for 3.3V Pin: 50 mA
 Flash Memory: 32 KB (ATmega328P) of which 0.5 KB used by bootloader
 SRAM: 2 KB (ATmega328P)
 EEPROM: 1 KB (ATmega328P)
 Clock Speed: 16 MHz
 LED_BUILTIN: 13
 Length: 68.6 mm
 Width: 58.4 mm
 Weight: 25 g

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 References

[1] “Heat Stroke” by Rizal Medical Center, Department of Health, paragraph 1 and 2,
[Online] Available: https://rmc.doh.gov.ph/patientscorner/health-corner/97-heat-
stroke [Accessed: 29-April-2019]

[2] “It’s not the Heat. It’s the humidity.” By Neel V. Patel, paragraphs 1 and 3
[Online] Available: https://slate.com/technology/2017/12/humidity-will-combine-
with-heat-to-be-deadly-thanks-to-climate-change.html [Accessed: 29-April-2019]

[3] “Heat and Humidity Are a Killer Combination” By Ethan Coffel, Radley Horton
and Colin Raymond. [Online] Available:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/10/11/opinion/heat-humidity-killer-
combination.html [Accessed: 29-April-2019]

[4] “What causes humidity?” by Jeffrey Hovis, paragraphs 1, 6 and 7. [Online]

Available: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-causes-humidity/
[Accessed: 29-April-2019]

[5] “The Importance of Humidity in the Relationship between Heat and Population
Mental Health: Evidence from Australia” by Ning Ding, Helen L. Berry,
Charmian M. Bennett. Abstract and Introduction [Online] Available:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0164190
[Accessed: 1-May-2019]

[6] “Monitoring environmental parameters: humidity and temperature using

Arduino based microcontroller and sensors” by Nagendra Dangi, pp 7,
paragraph 1 and 2 [Online] Available:
https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/142235/Dangi_Nagendra.pdf?sequ
ence=1&isAllowed=y [Accessed: 1-May-2019]

[7] “Heat Exhaustion” from WebMD [Online] Available:

https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/heat-exhaustion#1 [Accessed: 1-May-
2019]

16