In a world where security is becoming more important every day, building your own electronic password-based lock is not just a rewarding project — it’s also a practical one. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I built a simple but effective electronic lock system using the classic CD4013 (D Flip-Flop) and CD4011 (Nand Logic) ICs — all without a microcontroller
How It Works:
This lock operates on a fixed-sequence password using pure logic gates and flip-flops:
After the final correct key is pressed, the last flip-flop outputs a HIGH signal to unlock the system (e.g., light up an LED or activate a relay)
Each button is tied to a logic combination.
When the correct buttons are pressed in the right order, the logic gates (CD4011) enable a chain of CD4013 flip-flops to advance.
Pressing the wrong button at any stage triggers the reset line, which clears the flip-flops and starts over.
Components Required:
- CD1013 IC
- CD4017 IC
- Push Button
- Power Supply 3.7v-5v
- Resistor 1k Ohm
- Capacitor 10uf
- Solenoid Door Lock
Gerber File:


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CD1013 IC:
The CD1013 is a dual general-purpose operational amplifier (op-amp) IC. It is commonly used in analog signal processing tasks like amplification, filtering, and mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, integration, and differentiation. It is similar in function to the popular LM358 op-amp.
Key Features:
- Dual op-amp: Contains two independent op-amps in a single package.
- Wide voltage range: Operates typically from a single supply (e.g., +3V to +32V) or dual supply (e.g., ±1.5V to ±16V).
- Low power consumption.
- Internally frequency compensated.
- Suitable for battery-operated devices.
Applications:
- Audio preamplifiers
- Active filters
- Oscillators
- Comparators
- Signal conditioning circuits
- Voltage followers (buffers)
CD4017 IC:
The CD4017 is a decade counter/divider IC with 10 decoded outputs. It is widely used in electronics projects for sequencing purposes—like LED chasers, timers, and digital counters.
🔧 Key Features of CD4017:
- 10 Decoded Outputs (Q0 to Q9): Each goes high in sequence on every clock pulse.
- Clock Input: Advances the counter on each rising edge.
- Divide-by-10 Counter: Returns to Q0 after Q9.
- Reset and Enable Pins: Used to reset the counter or control clock response.
- Low Power CMOS: Wide voltage range and low power consumption.
How It Works:
When the clock pin (14) receives a rising edge, the next output pin (Q0 to Q9) goes high, and the previous goes low.
- The reset pin (15) resets the counter to Q0 when driven high.
- The clock enable pin (13) must be low for the counter to respond to the clock.
Common Applications:
LED chasers or sequencers
- Light effects
- Digital counters (0–9)
- Frequency dividers
- Timers or event counters
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