spacer
spacer

How IC 555 timer works? Fundamentals of IC 555 timer & its basic applications

Vidyasagar Sir • December 16, 2011 • 49 Comments

This article was first written on 16 Dec. 2011 and now it is rewritten in simple language with more practical approach, due to huge demand from visitors.

Pin-wise functioning of IC555 timer

Pin-1, GROUNDPin-2, TRIGGERPin-3, OUTPUTPin-4, RESETPin-5, C. VOLTAGEPin-6, THRESHOLDPin-7, DISCHARGEPin-8, +Vcc
It is the GROUND PIN of the IC. The negative terminal of DC power supply or battery is connected to this pin. Here note that IC555 works always on single rail power supply and NEVER on dual power supply, unlike operational amplifiers.

Also note that this pin should be connected directly to ground and NOT through any resistor or capacitor. If done so, the IC will not function properly and may heat up and get damaged. This happens because all the semiconductor blocks inside the IC will be raised by certain amount of stray voltage and will damage the IC. Refer the block diagram of the IC for more details. For more details read elaborate collection of FAQ on this IC.

spacer

It is known as TRIGGER PIN. As the name suggests in triggers i.e. starts the timing cycle of the IC. It is connected to the inverting input terminal of  trigger comparator inside the IC. As this pin is connected to inverting input terminal, it accepts negative voltage pulse to trigger the timing cycle. So it triggers when the voltage at this pin LESS THAN 1/3 of the supply voltage (Vcc).

In number of applications, the IC  must be triggered by a pulse. The amplitude and minimum pulse width required for triggering depend on operating temperature and supply voltage of the IC. Generally the current required for triggering is about 0.5uA for a period of 0.1uS. The triggering voltage may be in a range from minimum 1.67V when Vcc=5V to maximum 5V when Vcc=15VThe triggering circuit inside the IC is very sensitive and may be accidently activated due to surrounding noise. To avoid this, the pin is always connected to a pull-up resistor (10k-ohm), if this pin is used separately.

This is the OUTPUT PIN of the IC. It can SINK or SOURCE a maximum current of 200mA.

Sinking the current means, when the output of the IC is at logic-0 state i.e. LOW and so it can absorb current into its output. Similarly sourcing the current means, when the output of the IC is at logic-1 i.e. HIGH and so it can give out current from its output. Due to this property of the IC, we can use it in number of typical digital applications also.

Also note that the output voltage of the IC is slightly greater than zero, when it is in logic-0 state. Similarly it is slightly less than supply voltage (Vcc), when output of the IC is in logic-1 state.

It is the RESET PIN of the IC. When it is connected to positive terminal of battery, the IC works normally. However, when it is grounded (either directly or through a maximum of 100k-ohm resistor), the IC stops its working completely and its timing cycle stops i.e. the charging or discharging of the external capacitor stops, so output of the IC is locked in logic-0 state.

It is interesting to note that the reset voltage required by this pin is typically 0.7V at a reset current of 0.1mA. However in general applications, this pin is always connected to positive terminal so that the IC works normally.

This is known as the CONTROL VOLTAGE pin.  The 2/3 of supply voltage point on the terminal voltage divider is brought out to pin-5, known as the control terminal of the IC.

The timing cycle can be modified by applying external DC control voltage to this pin. This allows manual or electronic remote controlling of the time interval of the IC.

The control terminal is frequently used when the timer is operated in MMV mode. But if you are NOT using this pin for any such purpose, then this pin MUST BE GROUNDED THROUGH A CAPACITOR OF 0.01uF. This prevents the time interval from being affected by picking up of stray AC or RF noise from the surrounding.

Also note that, when the IC is used as an oscillator, in AMV mode, we can modulate the output waveform of the IC by applying a variable DC control voltage to this pin, as shown below.
spacer

This is known as the THRESHOLD PIN. It finalizes the timing cycle of the IC, when its voltage is equal to or greater than 2/3Vcc, the output is at logic-0 state.

Since this pin is connected to non-inverting terminal of threshold comparator inside the IC, it accepts positive going pulse to end up the timing cycle, also.

Note that the typical value of threshold current is 0.1mA, just like the RESET PIN. The time width of this pulse should be greater than or equal to 0.1uS. Refer the block diagram of the IC for more details. For more details read elaborate collection of FAQ on this IC.

It is known as DISCHARGE PIN. It discharges the external capacitor into itself, but when fully charged…!

It is connected to the collector of an NPN transistor inside the IC. Due to this, the discharging current going into this pin MUST NOT EXCEED 50mA, otherwise the internal transistor may get damaged.

It is interesting to note that this pin can also be used as output pin with open collector output. I am working on one such practical circuit and will publish the circuit very soon.

It is known as the +ve supply terminal of the IC. The battery voltage connected across this pin and ground pin SHOULD NOT EXCEED 18V. Generally the range of operating voltage of the IC is 3V–18V.

spacer

Details of working

Basically, 555 timer is a highly stable circuit capable of functioning as an accurate time-delay generator and as a free running multivibrator. When used as an oscillator the frequency and duty cycle are accurately controlled by only two external components, a resistor (R) and a capacitor (C).

The circuit may be triggered and reset on falling wave forms. Its prominent features are summarized below:

  • Timing from micro seconds through hours
  • Monostable and Astable operation
  • Adjustable duty cycle
  • Ability to operate from a wide range of supply voltages
  • Output compatible with CMOS, DTL and TTL (when used with appropriate supply voltage)
  • High current output that can sink or source 200 mA
  • Trigger and reset inputs are logic compatible
  • Output can be operated normal ON and OFF
  • High temperature stability

Let us see the internal details and operation of IC555 and see how the various features can be developed into practical circuits.

spacer spacer

spacer

Pin connections for various packages of IC555 are shown in above diagrams. The SE and NE versions are similar except for maximum temperature ratings. The precision type SE maintains essential characteristics over a temperature range of -55°C to +125°C while the general purpose type NE operates reliably only over a range of 0°C to 70°C. Some manufactures use the suffix C to indicate the commercial version for general purpose applications. Both types have a maximum rating of 18 volts and can handle power dissipation of up to 600 mW.

A functional block diagram of 555 timer is given below.

spacer

The device consists of two comparators two transistors, a flip-flop and buffered outputs stage. The reference voltages for the two comparators inside the 555 are produced across a voltage divider consisting of three equal resistors of 5K ohms each.

Look at the block diagram of the IC, to see that there are three resistors of 5kohm each (highlighted with yellow pen) connected in series. These three resistors produce 1/3 and 2/3 voltage levels for controlling the action of trigger and threshold comparators inside the IC. Due to this arrangement of the three resistors, the IC has a typical code number as IC555.

The threshold comparator is referenced at 2/3 Vcc and the trigger comparator is referenced at 1/3Vcc. The two comparators control the flip-flop which, in turn, controls the state of the output i.e. either ON or OFF states.

When the timer is in the quiescent state, the internal transistor T1 is conducting and represents a short circuit across timing capacitor C. The level of the output terminals in this state is low.

In practical circuits voltage at pin-2 is kept above the trigger point by a resistor connected to Vcc. When a negative going trigger pulse on pin-2 is applied, it causes the potential at this point to fall below 1/3Vcc and thus the trigger comparator RESETs the flip-flop.

Now transistor T1 is cut-off and the thus the output level of the IC goes HIGH to a value slightly less than Vcc. Capacitor (C) now starts to charge and the voltage across it rises exponentially until it reaches 2/3Vcc. At this point, the threshold comparator resets the flip-flop and the output returns to its low state-just slightly above ground. Transistor if T1 is turned ON, discharging capacitor C so that it is ready for the next timing period.

Once triggered, the circuit cannot respond to additional triggering until the timed interval has elapsed.

The delay period, the time that the output is high, in seconds is given by –

1.1 x C x R

Where R is in Mega ohm and C is in microfarads.

Following diagram shows how delays from 10 microseconds to 10 seconds can be obtained by selecting appropriate values of CT and RT in the 0.001pF to 100 pF and 1K to 10 Mega ohm ranges. In practice, RT should not exceed 20 Mega ohm. If you use an electrolytic capacitor for CT, select a unit for low leakage. The time delay may have to be adjusted by varying PT to compensate for the wide tolerance of electrolytic.

An important feature to be noted here is that 555, unlike many RC timers, provide a timed interval that is virtually independent of supply voltage Vcc. This is because the charge rate of C and the reference voltages to the threshold comparator and trigger comparator are all directly proportional to the supply Voltage. Operating voltage can range from 3V to 18V.

Important formulas for calculations

Frequency CalculationsTiming CalculationsDuty Cycle
To calculate the output frequency of the circuit following formula is used. In this you have to put the values of R1, R2 and the value of timing capacitor C. Note that R1 and R2 are in Ohms and C is in Farad.

spacer

This sounds good so far as theoretical calculations are concerned. But when you deal with practical circuits and want to use this formula, then what to do? The formula contains three unknowns…! So how to calculate the output frequency?

I have discussed this issue in one of the following comments. You may read the comments, given below, to resolve the problem of your practical calculations.

The total time period, the On time and Off time period of the IC are given by the following formulas -

spacer

The timing calculations will give you time in seconds, if the values of R1 and R2 are in Ohms and the value of timing capacitor is in Farad. Read the practical application of calculating your timing values.

The duty cycle of the IC is actually a specific ratio of the two resistors used in AMV circuit. Thus the formula for duty cycle of the IC is given by -

spacer

The duty cycle of the circuit is always calculated in terms of percentage. There are three main values of duty cycle of the IC.

  1. When duty cycle = 50%, we get the perfect square wave at the output of the circuit.
  2. When duty cycle > 50%, we get a rectangular wave, such that ON TIME of the circuit is greater than the OFF TIME.
  3. When duty cycle < 50%, we get a rectangular wave, such that OFF TIME of the circuit is greater than the ON TIME.
  4. Always remember that the value of duty cycle CANNOT BE equal to 100% and also it CANNOT BE equal to 0%.
  5. This is because, the value of R1 cannot be zero in the circuit of AMV.

More about IC555

The 555 timer IC is an integrated circuit (chip) used in a variety of timer, pulse generation and oscillator applications. The 555 can be used to provide time delays, as an oscillator, and as a flip-flop element. Derivatives provide up to four timing circuits in one package. Introduced in 1971 by Signetics, the 555 is still in widespread use, thanks to its ease of use, low price and good stability, and is now made by many companies in the original bipolar and also in low-power CMOS types. As of 2003, it was estimated that 1 billion units are manufactured every year.

The IC was designed in 1971 by Hans R. Camenzind (know more about him on Wikipedia) under contract to Signetics, which was later acquired by Philips. Depending on the manufacturer, the standard 555 package includes over 20 transistors, 2 diodes and 15 resistors on a silicon chip installed in an 8-pin mini dual-in-line package (DIP-8). Variants available include the 556 (a 14-pin DIP combining two 555s on one chip), and the 558 (a 16-pin DIP combining four slightly modified 555s with DIS & THR connected internally, and TR is falling edge sensitive instead of level sensitive).

The NE555 parts were commercial temperature range, 0 °C to +70 °C, and the SE555 part number designated the military temperature range, −55 °C to +125 °C. These were available in both high-reliability metal can (T package) and inexpensive epoxy plastic (V package) packages. Thus the full part numbers were NE555V, NE555T, SE555V, and SE555T. It has been hypothesized that the 555 got its name from the three 5kΩ resistors used within, but Hans Camenzind has stated that the number was arbitrary.

Low-power versions of the 555 are also available, such as the 7555 and CMOS TLC555. The 7555 is designed to cause less supply glitching than the classic 555 and the manufacturer claims that it usually does not require a “control” capacitor and in many cases does not require a decoupling capacitor on the power supply. Such a practice should nevertheless be avoided, because noise produced by the timer or variation in power supply voltage might interfere with other parts of a circuit or influence its threshold voltages.

Useful References:

Frequency Shift Keying using IC555

Datasheets of Timer IC555

Basic applications of IC555

Watch useful video on basics of IC555

Find the author on Google+


Filed in: XII Electronics • Tags: complete details of IC555

Comments (49)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. spacer Rahul says:
    November 18, 2012 at 4:26 PM

    The IC was just what I needed for my 10th grade science project. My wireless electricity project is working exactly as it should. Thanks for your help!

    How can I submit my pictures/video material of my project in action to you, sir?

    Reply
    • spacer Vidyasagar Sir says:
      November 18, 2012 at 6:55 PM

      Submission of your article and the related photos is very simple.
      Just zip the material in a file say project.zip along with your bio data, and mail it to me at dsvidyasagar@hotmail.com
      I will neatly arrange the data and soon publish it under your name on this site.

      Reply
      • spacer Rahul says:
        November 18, 2012 at 7:10 PM

        Thanks :)

        What do I need to include in bio-data? I’ll get more pictures and other content; I should be able to send it to you tomorrow.

        Reply
        • spacer Vidyasagar Sir says:
          November 18, 2012 at 8:28 PM

          You are a student, I presume.
          So just include your following details in brief bio data:
          Standard you are learning in -
          Your recent achievements -
          And your experiences while you we’re working the project -
          Your teacher(s) names who might have helped you in this project -
          And the description of project with photos-
          Note: if any of the above is not applicable, don’t include it.

          Reply
  2. spacer Sindre says:
    November 15, 2012 at 6:17 PM

    Hello.

    I looking to build a 457 khz transmitter using the IC 555 as a base. I need it to have a pulse width of 700 to 1300 milliseconds and a pulse width of 200-400 milliseconds.

    Is this possible, having probem calculating this.

    Reply