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Reed Switch on the Microbit
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How to use a reed switch in microbit projects. Ideal when making a buglar alarm.
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jez
A reed switch is triggered by a magnet. It is usually used above door as a buglar alarm.
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Reed Switch
2016-12-23 10:20:00 UTC
2016-12-23 10:20:00 UTC

A reed switch opens and closes in the presence of a magnet.

Typically they are usually open and closed when near a magnet.

The circuit and code for the reed switch is essentially the same as the button also covered in the components base.

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Component

Reed switches can come in many different forms. Both of those below are reed switches. A search on Amazon on eBay will reveal many more types but they all work the same way.

bare reed switch{:.ui .image .medium .centered}

The reed switch on the right is enclosed in two-part module. The upper module contains the reed switch, the lower part is the magnet to trigger the reed switch. These are usually found in burglar alarm systems.

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Electronics

The reed switch is connected to the microbit between pin0 and the 3v pin. The circuit is the same as the button example.

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Code

Python MS Blocks

Scroll 'burglar' on display if reed switch is open (the magnet is not present; eg. the door is open)

{% highlight python %} from microbit import *

while True: if pin0.read_digital(): # reed switch is closed. # magnet present display.show(Image.HAPPY) else: # reed swich open # magnet not present display.scroll('Buglar')

sleep(20)

{% endhighlight %}

Notes

  • The microbit can be used as a reed switch with the onboard magnetometer. compass.get_field_strength() returns the magnetic field in nano teslas.