The 555 timer which gets its name from the three 5kΩ resistors
it uses to generate the two comparators reference voltage, is a very cheap,
popular and useful precision timing device that can act as either a simple
timer to generate single pulses or long time delays, or as a relaxation
oscillator producing stabilized waveforms of varying duty cycles from 50 to 100%
The
555 timer chip is extremely robust and stable 8-pin device that can be operated
either as a very accurate Monostable, Bistable or Astable Multivibrator to produce a variety
of applications such as one-shot or delay timers, pulse generation, LED and
lamp flashers, alarms and tone generation, logic clocks, frequency division,
power supplies and converters etc.
A simplified “block diagram”
representing the internal circuitry of the 555
timer is given below with a brief explanation
of each of its connecting pins to help provide a clearer understanding of how
it works.
555 Timer Block Diagram
• Pin 1. –Pin 1. –
|
GND,
connect
to ground supply. Round, The ground pin
connects the 555 timer to the negative (0v) supply rail.
|
• Pin 2. –
|
Trigger, The negative input to comparator No 1. A negative pulse
on this pin “sets” the internal Flip-flop when the voltage drops below 1/3Vcc
causing the output to switch from a “LOW” to a “HIGH” state.
|
• Pin 3. –
|
Output, the output pin can drive any TTL circuit and is capable
of sourcing or sinking up to 200mA of current at an output voltage equal to
approximately Vcc – 1.5V so small speakers, LEDs or motors can be connected
directly to the output.
|
• Pin 4. –
|
Reset, this pin is used to “reset” the internal Flip-flop
controlling the state of the output, pin 3. This is an active-low input and
is generally connected to a logic “1” level when not used to prevent any
unwanted resetting of the output.
|
• Pin 5. –
|
Control Voltage, this pin controls the timing of the 555 by overriding
the 2/3Vcc level of the voltage divider network. By applying a voltage to
this pin the width of the output signal can be varied independently of the RC
timing network. When not used it is connected to ground via a 10nF capacitor
to eliminate any noise.
|
• Pin 6. –
|
Threshold, The positive input to comparator No 2. This pin is used
to reset the Flip-flop when the voltage applied to it exceeds 2/3Vcc causing
the output to switch from “HIGH” to “LOW” state. This pin connects directly
to the RC timing circuit.
|
• Pin 7. –
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Discharge, the discharge pin is connected directly to the
Collector of an internal NPN transistor which is used to “discharge” the
timing capacitor to ground when the output at pin 3 switches “LOW”.
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• Pin 8. –
|
Supply +Vcc, this is the power supply pin and for general purpose
TTL 555 timers is between 4.5V and 15V.
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