How to build Personal alarm

Small, portable, anti-bag-snatching unit Also suitable for doors and windows control

Circuit diagram

Parts:

• R1 330K 1/4W Resistor
• R2 100R 1/4W Resistor
• C1 10nF 63V Polyester or Ceramic Capacitor
• C2 100µF 25V Electrolytic Capacitor
• Q1 BC547 45V 100mA NPN Transistor
• Q2 BC327 45V 800mA PNP Transistor
• SW1 Reed Switch and small magnet (See Notes)
• SPKR 8 Ohm Loudspeaker (See Notes)
• B1 3V Battery (two A or AA cells wired in series etc.)

Device purpose:

This circuit, enclosed in a small plastic box, can be placed into a bag or handbag. A small magnet is placed close to the reed switch and connected to the hand or the clothes of the person carrying the bag by means of a tiny cord. If the bag is snatched abruptly, the magnet looses its contact with the reed switch, SW1 opens, the circuit starts oscillating and the loudspeaker emits a loud alarm sound. The device can be reverse connected, i.e. the box can be placed in a pocket and the cord connected to the bag. This device can be very useful in signalling the opening of a door or window: place the box on the frame and the magnet on the movable part in a way that magnet and reed switch are very close when the door or window is closed.

Circuit operation:

A complementary transistor-pair is wired as a high efficiency oscillator, directly driving a small loudspeaker. Low part-count and 3V battery supply enable a very compact construction.

Notes:

• The loudspeaker can be any type, its dimensions are limited only by the box that will contain it.
• An on-off switch is unnecessary because the stand-by current drawing is less than 20µA.
• Current consumption when the alarm is sounding is about 100mA.
• If the circuit is used as anti-bag-snatching, SW1 can be replaced by a 3.5mm mono Jack socket and the magnet by a 3.5mm. mono Jack plug with its internal leads shorted. The Jack plug will be connected with the tiny cord etc.
• Do not supply this circuit with voltages exceeding 4.5V: it will not work and Q2 could be damaged. In any case a 3V supply is the best compromise.

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