Verify Banknotes Using UV Light & IR Sensor - Arduino

In this Visuino project, you will learn how to build a touchless banknote verification system using a high-efficiency UV LED module and an IR proximity sensor in a clear and fully visual way — without writing any code.

When a banknote is placed in front of the IR proximity sensor, the Arduino instantly detects it and automatically turns ON the UV LED module for 5 seconds. This allows you to clearly see the hidden security markings on the banknote for fast and reliable verification. After 5 seconds, the UV light turns OFF automatically, ready for the next banknote.

This project is completely hands-free, making it perfect for hygienic public use, shops, kiosks, banks, and educational demonstrations.

The RWRobot high-efficiency UV LED module uses three powerful 5mm UV LEDs that produce a strong and stable ultraviolet output. It is ideal for banknote verification, UV curing, document inspection, fluorescence testing, and scientific experiments, while remaining easy to connect directly to Arduino and other microcontroller boards.

As an optional upgrade, you can later expand this project by adding displays, buzzers, relays, or logging features — all visually in Visuino and without writing any code.

✅ Key Features of the UV LED Module

• Stable UV Output – Emits a consistent 390–400nm near-UV wavelength, ideal for curing and detection tasks
• Arduino-Compatible Interface – Uses the standard 3-pin (SVG) interface for quick and easy connection
• Digital ON/OFF Control – Operated via a simple digital level signal from any Arduino output pin
• Compact & Easy to Mount – Small size (25 × 21mm) with mounting holes for secure installation
• High Power Efficiency – Produces bright UV light with minimal energy consumption, suitable for continuous use

🔬 Applications

• Banknote & Document Verification – Reveal hidden security features in currency and ID cards
• UV Curing – Speed up drying and hardening of UV glues, resins, and coatings
• Educational & Research Projects – Ideal for chemistry labs, forensic experiments, and fluorescence testing
• Environmental or Sterilization Systems – Integrate into UV sensing and sterilization projects (with proper safety precautions)

⚙️ Technical Specifications

• Wavelength: 390–400nm (Near UV)
• LED Type: 3 × 5mm High-Efficiency UV LEDs
• Board Size: Approx. 25 × 21mm
• Interface: Standard 3-Pin Arduino Interface (SVG)
• Input Type: Digital Level Control
• Mounting: 3mm holes, 15mm hole distance

✅ This tutorial is perfect for learning how to:

• Build a touchless banknote verification system
• Use a UV LED module with Arduino
• Detect objects using an IR proximity sensor
• Automatically turn ON a UV light for a fixed time (5 seconds)
• Control everything visually using Visuino
• Create reliable, hygienic, no-contact verification devices
• Expand the project later with displays, alarms, relays, or data logging

You can download the full Visuino project file at the bottom and follow along step-by-step.

Watch the Video! 🎥

Step 1: What You Will Need

• Arduino UNO, Nano, or any compatible Arduino board
• High-Efficiency UV LED Module (RWRobot or equivalent, 3× 5mm UV LEDs)
• IR Proximity Sensor Module
• Breadboard (Optional)
• Jumper Wires
• USB Cable for Arduino
• Banknote for testing
• Visuino Software – Download Visuino

Step 2: The Circuit

• Connect Arduino [GND] to the breadboard negative rail [Black line]
• Connect Arduino [5V] to the breadboard positive rail [Red line]
• Connect Infrared (IR) Obstacle Avoidance Sensor [GND] to the breadboard negative rail [Black line]
• Connect Infrared (IR) Obstacle Avoidance Sensor [VCC] to the breadboard positive rail [Red line]
• Connect Infrared (IR) Obstacle Avoidance Sensor [OUT] to Arduino digital pin [3]
• Connect UV LED Module [GND] to the breadboard negative rail [Black line]
• Connect UV LED Module [VCC] to the breadboard positive rail [Red line]
• Connect UV LED Module [IN] to Arduino digital pin [2]

💡 Note: You can easily adjust the detection sensitivity of the Infrared (IR) Obstacle Avoidance Sensor using its on-board potentiometer, allowing you to fine-tune how close the banknote must be before the UV light turns ON.

Step 3: Start Visuino, and Select the Arduino UNO Board Type

Start Visuino as shown in the first picture Click on the "Tools" button on the Arduino component (Picture 1) in Visuino When the dialog appears, select "Arduino UNO" as shown on Picture 2

Step 4: In Visuino Add & Set Components

• Add "Infrared(IR) Obstacle Avoidance Sensor" component
• Add "Timer (Single Pulse/Clock to Digital)" component
• Select "Timer1" and in the properties window set "Interval" to 5000000 this is 5s in microseconds, you can adjust this value according to your needs.

Step 5: In Visuino Connect Components

• Connect "Arduino"Digital pin [3] to "ObstacleAvoidance1" pin [In]
• Connect "ObstacleAvoidance1" pin [Out] to "Timer1" pin [Start]
• Connect "Timer1" pin [Out] to "Arduino" Digital pin [2] pin [In]

Step 6: Generate, Compile, and Upload the Arduino Code

In Visuino, at the bottom click on the "Build" Tab, make sure the correct port is selected, then click on the "Compile/Build and Upload" button.

Step 7: Play

Congratulations! You have completed your project with Visuino. Also attached is the Visuino project, that I created for this tutorial, you can download it here and open it in Visuino: https://www.visuino.com