Arduino project · Motion and security · Easy
Staircase Lighting with PIR
Stair lights come on step by step when someone arrives and switch off after a few seconds.
What you will learn
- How to sequence outputs after a trigger
- How a hold time works
- How automation saves energy
How it works
The Arduino waits for motion. Then it switches on the three lights one after the other (400 ms apart), keeps them on for 6 seconds and switches them all off again.
Try this next
- Light the steps from the top when motion is at the top.
- Add an LDR so the lights only work in the dark.
- Make the lights fade by using PWM LEDs.
The simulator program and explanation on this page are original. The idea follows a classic Arduino project that students have built for years.
Parts: sensors and actuators (tap to show or hide)
Try the inputs (virtual sensors)
Pins (you can change them)
| Part | Arduino pin (change it here) | How to wire it |
|---|
Every wire, one by one
Red rail = 5 V from the Arduino 5V pin. Black rail = GND. The coloured wires carry signals. Match the wire colours on the drawing to this list.
| # | Colour | From (part and leg) | To |
|---|
Steps run from top to bottom, then start again. While the simulation runs, the active step is highlighted in green.
Quantities come from the parts you added. The store links open a search for that item on Robu.in, Amazon.in and ThinkRobotics, so you always see what is in stock today. Check the model, voltage and price before you order.
| # | Item | Qty | Search term | Buy / compare |
|---|
The PDF has the circuit sketch, pin table, every wire, sequence, full code, the parts list with store links, do’s and don’ts for each part, and the safety notes. The project file lets you come back and keep editing.
In the real world
A staircase that lights itself
When the motion sensor sees someone, the lamps in the real scene switch on while the person walks.
Tip: use the gold tab at the bottom of the circuit drawing to pull the real-world view up over the Arduino board. Your parts stay visible above it, so you can press a button and watch the real scene react.
- PIR sensor = a person on the stairs
- LED 1 to 3 = the lamps