Build a Home Security System with NodeMCU

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

This tutorial guides you through building a simple home security system using NodeMCU. The system will include a motion sensor and send notifications via email or a web interface when motion is detected.

Components Required

• NodeMCU ESP8266 Development Board
• PIR Motion Sensor
• Buzzer (optional)
• Jumper Wires
• Computer with Arduino IDE
• Wi-Fi Network

Wiring the Circuit

Connect the PIR motion sensor to the NodeMCU as follows:

• PIR VCC to NodeMCU 3V3
• PIR GND to NodeMCU GND
• PIR OUT to NodeMCU GPIO D1 (or any digital pin)
• Buzzer (optional): Connect one wire to a digital pin (e.g., D2) and the other to GND.

Arduino IDE Setup

1. Open the Arduino IDE and ensure you have the ESP8266 board definitions installed.

2. Load the following code onto your NodeMCU:

#include 
#include 
#include 

const char* ssid = "YOUR_SSID";        // Replace with your Wi-Fi SSID
const char* password = "YOUR_PASSWORD"; // Replace with your Wi-Fi Password

const int pirPin = D1; // PIR motion sensor pin
const int buzzerPin = D2; // Buzzer pin (optional)

ESP8266WebServer server(80);

void setup() {
    Serial.begin(115200);
    pinMode(pirPin, INPUT);
    pinMode(buzzerPin, OUTPUT);
    
    WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
    while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
        delay(1000);
        Serial.println("Connecting to WiFi...");
    }
    Serial.println("Connected to WiFi");

    // Setup server routes
    server.on("/", handleRoot);
    server.begin();
}

void loop() {
    server.handleClient();
    int motionState = digitalRead(pirPin);
    if (motionState == HIGH) {
        Serial.println("Motion detected!");
        digitalWrite(buzzerPin, HIGH); // Activate buzzer
        sendNotification(); // Call notification function
        delay(5000); // Delay to avoid multiple triggers
        digitalWrite(buzzerPin, LOW); // Deactivate buzzer
    }
}

void handleRoot() {
    String message = "
Home Security System
";
    message += "
Motion Sensor Status: " + String(digitalRead(pirPin)) + "
";
    server.send(200, "text/html", message);
}

void sendNotification() {
    // Implement your email notification or webhook here
    Serial.println("Sending notification...");
    // Code to send email or notification can be added here
}
        

Uploading the Code

1. Select the appropriate board and port in the Arduino IDE.

2. Click on the upload button to upload the code to the NodeMCU.

Testing the Setup

1. Open the Serial Monitor to view the NodeMCU's IP address once it's connected to Wi-Fi.

2. Open a web browser and enter the NodeMCU's IP address.

3. The page should display the current status of the motion sensor.

Conclusion

You have successfully set up a basic home security system using NodeMCU and a PIR motion sensor. You can expand this project by integrating additional sensors or implementing more advanced notification systems.