Metal Detector

Metal Detector – Project
1 - Introduction
The first industrial metal detector was developed in the year 1960 and
was used for mineral prospecting and other industrial applications. A
metal detector is an electronic device that includes an oscillator which
produces AC current that passes through a coil producing an alternating
magnetic field. If a part of the metal is near to the coil, eddy current will
be induced in the metal and this produces a magnetic field of its own. If
another coil is used to measure the magnetic field, the change in the
magnetic field, the change in the magnetic field due to the metallic object
can be detected. A metal detector is a very common device that is used
for checking persons, luggage or bags in shopping malls, hotels, cinema
halls, etc. to ensure that person is not carrying any metals or illegal things
like guns, bombs etc. Metal Detectors detect the presence of metals.
There are different types of metal detectors like hand held metal
detectors, walk through metal detectors and ground search metal
detectors. Metal detectors can be created easily and the circuit for a basic
metal detector is not that complex. In this project, we have designed a
simple DIY type Metal Detector Circuit using very simple components that
can be used in our homes and gardens
Objective of the project
Need of the project
A metal detector is an electronic device used to detect the presence of

metallic objects. The theoretical background of a metal detector involves
concepts from electromagnetism, electronics, and signal processing.
Here's a breakdown of the key principles:
1. Electromagnetic Induction
 Basic Principle: Metal detectors primarily operate on the principle

of electromagnetic induction. When a coil of wire (the search coil) is
energized with an alternating current (AC), it creates an oscillating
magnetic field around it. When this field interacts with a conductive
metal object, it induces an electrical current (eddy currents) within
the object.
 Eddy Currents: The metal object reacts by generating secondary
electromagnetic fields (eddy currents) due to its conductivity. These
fields, in turn, affect the original magnetic field from the search coil.
 Detection: The detector senses these changes in the magnetic

field, which are interpreted as signals, indicating the presence of a
metal object nearby.
2. The Search Coil (Transmitter and Receiver)
 Transmitter Coil: This is the part of the detector that generates

the electromagnetic field. It is typically connected to an alternating
current (AC) signal source that produces a rapidly fluctuating
magnetic field.
 Receiver Coil: A separate coil that detects the secondary

electromagnetic field generated by the metal object. This coil is
tuned to detect the specific frequency changes caused by the eddy
currents.
 Inductive Coupling: The transmitter coil creates a magnetic field,

and the receiver coil detects changes in that field caused by nearby
metallic objects.
3. Frequency and Metal Types
 Metal detectors typically operate at different frequencies, and the

detection range and effectiveness can vary with the frequency. Low-
frequency detectors are better for detecting larger metals at greater
depths, while high-frequency detectors are more sensitive to smaller
or more conductive metals.
 Different metals, such as iron, gold, and silver, have different

electrical conductivities and react differently to electromagnetic
fields. The metal detector can be tuned to distinguish between
these types of metals based on the characteristics of the signals
they produce.
4. Signal Processing and Detection
 The signals picked up by the receiver coil are typically processed by

the detector's internal electronics, which can differentiate between
objects based on the amplitude, phase, or frequency of the received
signal.
 Phase Shift Detection: A phase shift occurs when the magnetic

field induced in the metal object is out of phase with the field
created by the transmitter coil. The detector analyzes these phase
shifts to detect objects and estimate their type and proximity.
 Discrimination: Modern metal detectors feature discrimination
capabilities, which allow the user to ignore unwanted materials
(such as iron) by analyzing the specific characteristics of the
returned signal. This is achieved by analyzing the frequency and
decay rate of the induced currents.
5. Ground Balance
 Interference from Ground: The Earth's natural magnetic field and

the minerals present in the soil can also induce electromagnetic
signals, which can cause false readings.
 Ground Balance: Metal detectors include a feature called ground

balancing, which adjusts the detector to ignore these signals. The
detector compensates for the mineralization in the ground to focus
only on the signals from metal objects, thereby improving accuracy.
6. Amplitude and Depth Sensing
 The strength of the detected signal usually correlates with the size
and depth of the metal object. Larger objects or objects that are
closer to the surface produce stronger signals, while smaller or
deeper objects generate weaker signals.
 The detector often includes a display or audio feedback (e.g., a

beep) that indicates the presence of a metal object and may even
provide an estimate of its depth.
7. Types of Metal Detectors
 VLF (Very Low Frequency) Detectors: Use a single coil that

transmits and receives signals. These are commonly used for
general-purpose metal detection and are effective in most soil
conditions.
 PI (Pulse Induction) Detectors: Use multiple coils and send out

pulses of energy. They are highly effective in mineralized soils and
can detect metals at greater depths but are less discriminative (i.e.,
they can't easily distinguish between different types of metals).
 Beat Frequency Oscillator (BFO) Detectors: These work by

generating two signals and comparing their frequencies. When a
metal object is detected, the frequency shifts, providing a signal to
the detector. BFO detectors are typically less advanced than VLF
and PI models.
8. Applications
 Metal detectors are used for various applications, such as:

o Treasure Hunting: Detecting coins, jewelry, and other
valuable metal objects buried underground.
o Archaeological Exploration: Uncovering historical artifacts

without disturbing the surrounding soil.
o Security: Detecting weapons or dangerous metallic objects in

public places.
o Search and Rescue: Finding metallic objects or remains in

the aftermath of natural disasters or accidents.
In summary, metal detectors operate based on the principle of

electromagnetic induction, with the transmitter coil creating a magnetic
field and the receiver coil detecting changes in this field caused by nearby
metal objects. The signal is processed to identify the presence, type, and
depth of metal objects.
Theoretical bg of project
A metal detector operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction. It

uses a transmitter coil to generate an oscillating magnetic field, which
interacts with metallic objects nearby. When a metal object is within the
field, it induces eddy currents in the object, creating a secondary
magnetic field. A receiver coil detects these changes in the magnetic field,
which are then processed by the detector's electronics. The system
analyzes the signal’s amplitude, frequency, and phase shift to identify the
presence and type of metal, as well as estimate its depth. Modern
detectors often include features like ground balance to cancel out
interference from mineralized soil and discrimination to differentiate
between different metals. Metal detectors come in different types, such as
VLF (Very Low Frequency), Pulse Induction (PI), and Beat Frequency
Oscillator (BFO), each suited for specific applications, including treasure
hunting, security, and archaeological exploration. By processing the
detected signal, the detector provides information on the metal's size,
depth, and type, helping users locate and identify metal objects buried
underground
Principal Used
The principle used in a metal detector is electromagnetic

induction. Here’s a concise explanation of how it works:
1. Magnetic Field Generation: The metal detector generates a

changing magnetic field through a coil (transmitter coil)
powered by an alternating current (AC).
2. Interaction with Metal Objects: When this magnetic field
encounters a metallic object, it induces small electrical
currents, called eddy currents, within the metal.
3. Secondary Magnetic Field: The eddy currents create a

secondary magnetic field that interacts with the original
magnetic field.
4. Detection: A second coil (receiver coil) detects the changes

in the magnetic field caused by the secondary field from the
metal object.
5. Signal Processing: The detector’s electronics analyze these

changes, allowing it to identify the presence, type, and
depth of the metal object.
In essence, a metal detector works by generating and detecting

changes in electromagnetic fields caused by metal objects,
helping to locate them underground or within objects
2 - Experimental
1) Block diagram & explaination

2) Circuit Diagram:
3) Components :
4) Specifications of components :
(in the box of the the apparatus)
5) Working of the Circuit :

6) pcb layout :
(in the box of the apparatus)
3 –Observation:

Metal Detector

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Metal Detector – Project

Objective of the project

Need of the project

A metal detector is an electronic device used to detect the presence of

 Basic Principle: Metal detectors primarily operate on the principle

 Detection: The detector senses these changes in the magnetic

2. The Search Coil (Transmitter and Receiver)

 Transmitter Coil: This is the part of the detector that generates

 Receiver Coil: A separate coil that detects the secondary

 Inductive Coupling: The transmitter coil creates a magnetic field,

3. Frequency and Metal Types

 Metal detectors typically operate at different frequencies, and the

 Different metals, such as iron, gold, and silver, have different

4. Signal Processing and Detection

 The signals picked up by the receiver coil are typically processed by

 Phase Shift Detection: A phase shift occurs when the magnetic

 Interference from Ground: The Earth's natural magnetic field and

 Ground Balance: Metal detectors include a feature called ground

6. Amplitude and Depth Sensing

 The detector often includes a display or audio feedback (e.g., a

7. Types of Metal Detectors

 VLF (Very Low Frequency) Detectors: Use a single coil that

 PI (Pulse Induction) Detectors: Use multiple coils and send out

 Beat Frequency Oscillator (BFO) Detectors: These work by

 Metal detectors are used for various applications, such as:

o Archaeological Exploration: Uncovering historical artifacts

o Security: Detecting weapons or dangerous metallic objects in

o Search and Rescue: Finding metallic objects or remains in

In summary, metal detectors operate based on the principle of

A metal detector operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction. It

The principle used in a metal detector is electromagnetic

1. Magnetic Field Generation: The metal detector generates a

3. Secondary Magnetic Field: The eddy currents create a

4. Detection: A second coil (receiver coil) detects the changes

5. Signal Processing: The detector’s electronics analyze these

In essence, a metal detector works by generating and detecting

1) Block diagram & explaination

(in the box of the the apparatus)

5) Working of the Circuit :

(in the box of the apparatus)

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