The 555 timer is a chip that we use to get timing into our circuits without using a microcontroller. What can you do with timing, you ask?
Lots of things!
It’s pretty cheap and has been around for a long time. Here is what everybody ought to know about it.
You Can Make Sound With The 555 Timer
With the 555 timer you can easily make an oscillating signal. An oscillating signal is a voltage that goes up and down regularly. For example between 5 and 0 volts.
If it goes up and down really fast – you can hook it up to a speaker and you will hear a sound. So you can use it to make an alarm.
Or even better – you can recreate the computer sounds of the 80s with the Atari Punk Console.
You Can Make A Light Blink
Like mentioned above, you can create an oscillating signal. Let’s say we have the same signal as above, just that it switches between 0 and 5 volt a lot slower…
Hook this up to a light and you will have a blinking light. This is an alternative to the three simple ways to blink a light.
Turning Something On For a Certain Period Of Time
The 555 timer can be configured so that you when you give it a trigger signal, it gives out an output voltage for a certain period of time. Then you can use this voltage to turn on a motor or a light in an interactive museum installation, and automatically turn it off after a set time.
It’s a Cheap Chip
You can usually get it for less than 50 cent. For example check out this package of 50 pieces of the 555 Timer at Amazon.
The Time Is Set Using Resistors And a Capacitor
The specific timing of the chip is determined by resistors and a capacitor. To find out how to calculate it, check out this page. You can also find a lot of good circuits and more in-depth explanation of how it works there. Definitely worth checking out.
I’ll end this article with a practical example. Here is how you can make a metronome with the 555 timer:
Return from “The 555 Timer” to “Electronic Components Online”
salih says
August 30, 2014 at 8:47 amHi Oyvind this is a very good stuff I have ever had .Thank you for your way in making things clear.
admin says
August 30, 2014 at 10:36 amI’m glad you enjoyed it =)
Oyvind
Dan Okrasinski says
August 31, 2014 at 5:34 amSome years ago when the 555 first became available to hobbyists for a reasonable price I experimented with making them power an ocillator. I used values that made it quite uncomfortable for human ears and other pests/ It was so high jn pitch I used it to drive some raccoons from under my deck. It also caused the neighbor to complain but I only used it for a night or two.
Time has passed and I have forgot the values I used to make it squeal. Any ideas.
admin says
August 31, 2014 at 1:54 pmHey Dan, you can use the calculator on this site to find the values you need for a certain frequency: http://www.555-timer-circuits.com/calculator.html
Oyvind
sibusiso says
September 10, 2014 at 7:41 amThank you , you are very clear and simple.
I really enjoyed it.
Is there a most simple but reliable radio control for model toys? I so desire to know how to make it. (Both the receiver and the transmitter)
Yakudala
admin says
September 10, 2014 at 4:32 pmI don’t know if there exists a standard for that. But I am sure there exists many options. You can try to find something here: http://www.build-electronic-circuits.com/free-electronic-circuits/
Cheers!
Oyvind
Heinrich says
October 28, 2014 at 10:22 amI had used it as a siren for current limit protection indication in my 10A power regulator. It works so well!
admin says
October 28, 2014 at 2:35 pmGreat to hear Heinrich!
Cheers!
Oyvind’
narayan naik says
December 4, 2016 at 12:59 pmHi,,,, its a good stuff…but i want know the formula to calculate capacitor and resistor values
admin says
December 8, 2016 at 10:00 amYou can find it in this article: http://www.build-electronic-circuits.com/blinking-christmas-lights/
Clayton Benignus says
March 29, 2017 at 4:02 pmI have been working on the same problem as Dan Okrasinski, except that I want to exclude Chickens and Humans from my list of undesirables while including just about everything else. Here is a Wikipedia article on this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearing_range . In my design, I will aim for a range of 30-35Khz, which will be outside the range of most Humans and Chickens, but will get everything else. I favor a Police Siren type circuit triggered by motion because a sound that is constantly on, like wife nagging, will be ignored. I would also like to boost the signal with a 386. I also think filtering out noise would not be desirable for this particular circuit.
Regards