Raspberry Pi - RFID - Relay
This tutorial instructs you how to use a Raspberry Pi and an RFID/NFC RC522 reader control a relay. You can also take this tutorial further and use the relay to control door lock, light bulb, motors, actuators, and so on.
Hardware Preparation
| 1 | × | Raspberry Pi 4 Model B | |
| 1 | × | RFID/NFC RC522 Kit (reader + tags) | |
| 1 | × | RFID Key Fob | |
| 1 | × | Relay | |
| 10 | × | Jumper Wires | |
| 1 | × | (Optional) Screw Terminal Adapter for Raspberry Pi |
Or you can buy the following sensor kits:
| 1 | × | DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays) | |
| 1 | × | DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays) |
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Overview of RFID/NFC RC522 Module and Relay
If you are unfamiliar with RFID/NFC RC522 Module and relay (pinout, how it works, how to program ...), the following tutorials can help you gain knowledge:
How It Works
- Some RFID/NFC tags have their UIDs pre-defined in the Raspberry Pi code.
- When a user taps an RFID/NFC tag on the RFID/NFC reader, the reader reads the UID from the tag.
- The Raspberry Pi then receives the UID from the reader and compares it with the pre-defined UIDs.
- If the UID matches one of the pre-defined UIDs, the Raspberry Pi will activate the relay.
Wiring Diagram
This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image
※ NOTE THAT:
The arrangement of pins may differ depending on the manufacturer. ALWAYS utilize the labels printed on the module. The image above displays the pinout of the modules from DIYables maker.
Raspberry Pi Code - Single RFID/NFC Tag
Detailed Instructions
- Make sure you have Raspbian or any other Raspberry Pi compatible operating system installed on your Pi.
- Make sure your Raspberry Pi is connected to the same local network as your PC.
- Make sure your Raspberry Pi is connected to the internet if you need to install some libraries.
- If this is the first time you use Raspberry Pi, See how to set up the Raspberry Pi
- Connect your PC to the Raspberry Pi via SSH using the built-in SSH client on Linux and macOS or PuTTY on Windows. See to how connect your PC to Raspberry Pi via SSH.
- Make sure you have the RPi.GPIO library installed. If not, install it using the following command:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install python3-rpi.gpio
- Enable the SPI interface on Raspberry Pi by following the instruction on Raspberry Pi - how to enable SPI inteface
- Make sure you have the spidev library installed. If not, install it using the following command:
sudo apt-get install python3-pip python3-dev git
sudo pip3 install spidev
- Make sure you have the mfrc522 library installed. If not, install it using the following command:
sudo pip3 install mfrc522
- Create a Python script file rfid_relay.py and add the following code:
# This Raspberry Pi code was developed by newbiely.com
# This Raspberry Pi code is made available for public use without any restriction
# For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit:
# https://newbiely.com/tutorials/raspberry-pi/raspberry-pi-rfid-relay
import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import MFRC522
import time
# Define GPIO pins
RC522_RST_PIN = 12 # GPIO pin connected to RC522's RST pin
RELAY_PIN = 16 # GPIO pin connected to relay
# Set up GPIO
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BOARD)
GPIO.setup(RELAY_PIN, GPIO.OUT, initial=GPIO.LOW)
# Create an instance of the RFID reader
reader = MFRC522.MFRC522()
authorized_uid = [0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF]
try:
print("Tap RFID/NFC Tag on reader")
while True:
(status, TagType) = reader.MFRC522_Request(reader.PICC_REQIDL)
if status == reader.MI_OK:
(status, uid) = reader.MFRC522_Anticoll()
if status == reader.MI_OK:
if uid == authorized_uid:
print("Authorized Tag")
GPIO.output(RELAY_PIN, GPIO.HIGH) # activate the relay for 2 seconds
time.sleep(2)
GPIO.output(RELAY_PIN, GPIO.LOW) # deactivate the relay
else:
print(f"Unauthorized Tag with UID: {' '.join(format(b, '02x') for b in uid)}")
except KeyboardInterrupt:
GPIO.cleanup()
- Save the file and run the Python script by executing the following command in the terminal:
python3 rfid_relay.py
The script runs in an infinite loop continuously until you press Ctrl + C in the terminal.
In order to identify the UID of an RFID/NFC tag:
- Run the above code and tap the tag on the RFID-RC522 module.
- The UID will be displayed on the Serial Monitor.
PuTTY - Raspberry Pi
Tap RFID/NFC tag on reader
Unauthorized Tag with UID: 3A C9 6A CB
After obtaining the UID:
- Alter line 18 of the code to reflect the UID, for example changing byte authorizedUID[4] = {0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF}; to byte authorizedUID[4] = {0x3A, 0xC9, 0x6A, 0xCB};
- Upload the code to the Raspberry Pi
- Place an RFID/NFC tag on the RFID-RC522 module
- Check out the output on the Serial Monitor
PuTTY - Raspberry Pi
Tap RFID/NFC tag on reader
Authorized Tag
- Tap a different RFID/NFC tag onto the RFID-RC522 module.
- Check the output on the Serial Monitor.
PuTTY - Raspberry Pi
Tap RFID/NFC tag on reader
Authorized Tag
Unauthorized Tag with UID: BD 1E 1D 00
※ NOTE THAT:
- To facilitate testing, the active time has been set to two seconds; however, it should be increased for practical use or demonstration.
- Installation of the MFRC522 library is necessary. For more information, please refer to the Raspberry Pi - RFID/NFC RC522 tutorial.