555 Timer IC

Basics of 555 Timer IC

a
▪ 555 IC can be used as a Timer and Counter.

n d
▪ 555 IC has many applications in home appliances (TV Sleep Timer, Washing Machine

u
Timer).

F
▪ 555 IC produces accurate and highly stable time delays and Oscillations.

g
n
▪ 555 IC can be used in three different modes based on the charging and discharging of the
capacitor C.
er i
e
1. Bistable Mode
2. Monostable Mode
g in
n
3. Astable Mode

E
Engineering Funda
Features of 555 Timer IC
▪ Supply voltage range: 5V to 18V
▪ Current sinking and sourcing capacity: 200mA
▪
a
High-temperature stability.

d
▪ Timing can be adjusted from Microseconds to Hours.
▪ The Duty Cycle of the output is adjustable.
u n
▪
▪
Output is compatible with CMOS and TTL.

g F
n
Good timing stability against supply voltage variations.
▪ Low Cost.

er i
in e
n g
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Engineering Funda
Block Diagram of 555 Timer IC
𝐕𝐂𝐂
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞
𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐝 Upper

a
𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟓𝐤𝛀 C

d
Comparator B
+

u
E
n
F
_ SR Flip Flop
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝟐

g
𝐕
𝟑 𝐂𝐂
S Q

n
𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞

r i
𝟓𝐤𝛀

e
OUTPUT 𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓
R ഥ
𝐐
e
𝟏
𝐕 Stage

n
𝟑 𝐂𝐂

i
+

g
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫

n
_

E
𝟓𝐤𝛀 Lower
Comparator

𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐭

Engineering Funda
Pin Diagram of 555 Timer IC

d a
un
g F
in
❖ Vcc [Pin 8] and Ground [Pin 1]
▪ DC Supply voltage range: 5V to 18V
er
❖ Trigger Input [Pin 2]
i n e
g
▪ Tigger Pulse or train of trigger pulse can be given to Trigger input.
n
E
▪ If the voltage at this pin goes below Vcc/3, then the lower comparator output goes high,
and then the output goes high and it turns OFF the transistor.
❖ 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐓 [Pin 4]
▪ It is an active low Pin, for the normal operation of 555 IC, it should be connected to Vcc.
▪ If it is low {ground}, then Output goes low and it will turn ON the transistor.
❖ Control Input [Pin 5]
𝟐
▪ DC voltage at this pin is 𝐕 .
𝟑 𝐂𝐂
▪ An external AC voltage can be applied to this pin for pulse width modulated output.

a
▪ If it is not used then it should be connected to the ground via a 0.01µF capacitor to avoid
any issues of noise.
n d
❖ Threshold Input [Pin 6]
F u
g
𝟐
▪ It is compared by upper comparator with respect to 𝐕𝐂𝐂 .

in
𝟑

r
𝟐

e
▪ If voltage at this pin goes above 𝐕 ,
the upper comparator output goes high then output
𝟑 𝐂𝐂
goes low.

i n e
g
▪ In the Astable and Monostable Multivibrator, this pin is connected to the ground via an
external capacitor C.
E n
❖ Discharge Output [Pin 7]
▪ It is connected to the collector of the transistor.
▪ If Output goes low, then the transistor is ON, and then this pin provides a discharge path
to the ground.
❖ Output [Pin 3]
▪ Output of 555 Timer and load is connected to this pin.
𝐕𝐂𝐂 𝐕𝐂𝐂

d a
If OUTPUT goes low

n
then the current

u
sinks to 555.

555 IC 𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓

g
555 IC
F 𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓

r
If OUTPUT goes High

e in
e
then current is

n
supplied by 555.

g i
n
Normally OFF Load Normally ON Load

E
 Astable Multivibrator using 555
Basics of Astable Multivibrator
▪

d a
Astable Multivibrator has no stable state and Both states are Quasi-Stable States.

n
▪ Stable State: This state doesn’t change. Stable State changes by external trigger.
▪
F u
Quasi-stable State: This state changes based on the circuit. It changes automatically.

g
▪ Astable Multivibrator can be used as a square wave generator.

𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓
er in
e
Astable
Multivibrator

g i n
𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓

E n
Quasi Stable State
Time
Circuit of Astable Multivibrator using 555 timer IC
𝐕𝐂𝐂 𝐕𝐂𝐂 [𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟖]
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞
𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐝 Upper
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟕]
𝟓𝐤𝛀 C

a
𝐑𝐀 8 4 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 Comparator B
+

d
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟔]

n
7 E
_

u
SR Flip Flop

F
𝐑𝐁 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝟐
555 IC 3 𝐕
𝟑 𝐂𝐂
S Q
𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓

g
6 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
𝟓𝐤𝛀

in
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟓]
𝟏 OUTPUT 𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓
ഥ
r
𝐂 2 𝐕
𝟑 𝐂𝐂
R 𝐐 [𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟑]

e
Stage
1 5 +

n e
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫

i
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟐]
_

g
𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝛍𝐅 Lower
𝟓𝐤𝛀

n
Comparator

E 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟏] 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐭[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟒]
Working of Astable Multivibrator using 555 timer IC
▪ Capacitor C charges by supply 𝐕𝐂𝐂 via resistors 𝐑 𝐀 and 𝐑 𝐁 from 𝐕𝐂𝐂 /𝟑 to 𝟐𝐕𝐂𝐂 /𝟑. During
that output is High 𝐕𝐂𝐂 and the transistor is OFF.
▪ Capacitor C discharges through resistor 𝐑 𝐁 from 𝟐𝐕𝐂𝐂 /𝟑 to 𝐕𝐂𝐂 /𝟑. During that output is
low (0 volts) and the transistor is ON.
d a
un
▪ If Capacitor is in between 𝐕𝐂𝐂 /𝟑 and 𝟐𝐕𝐂𝐂 /𝟑, then both comparator output stays low,

F
which means SR flip flop outputs stays unchanged.

g
▪ If Capacitor output crossing above 𝟐𝐕𝐂𝐂 /𝟑, then upper comparator output goes high,

in
r
which will Set the SR flip flop and output 𝐐 ഥ goes low and Q goes high which will turn ON

e e
transistor for discharging of capacitor C towards 𝐕𝐂𝐂 /𝟑.

i n
▪ If Capacitor output crossing below 𝐕𝐂𝐂 /𝟑, then lower comparator output goes high, which

g
ഥ goes high and Q stays low which will keep

n
will Reset the SR flip flop and output 𝐐

E
transistor OFF for charging of capacitor C towards 𝟐𝐕𝐂𝐂 /𝟑.
Waveforms of Astable Multivibrator using 555 timer IC
𝐕𝐂
𝟐𝐕𝐂𝐂 /𝟑

a
𝐕𝐂𝐂 /𝟑

d
Time

un
F
𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓

in g
er
Time

i n e
n g
E
Applications of Astable Multivibrator using 555 timer IC
▪ Square wave generator
▪ Ramp wave generator

d a
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Monostable Multivibrator using 555
Basics of Monostable Multivibrator

a
▪ Monostable has one stable state and the second state is not stable, it is Quasi stable State.

d
n
▪ Stable State: This state doesn’t change. Stable State changes by external trigger.

u
▪ Quasi-stable State: This state changes based on the circuit. It changes automatically.
F
𝐕𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫

in g
er 𝐕𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓

e
Time
Monostable

i n
Multivibrator

n g
E
𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓

Stable State
Time Quasi Stable State
Circuit of Monostable Multivibrator using 555 timer IC
𝐕𝐂𝐂 𝐕𝐂𝐂 [𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟖]
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞
𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐝 Upper
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟕]
𝟓𝐤𝛀 C

a
𝐑𝐀 8 4 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 Comparator B
+

d
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟔]

n
7 E
_

u
SR Flip Flop
6

F
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝟐
𝐂 555 IC 3 𝐕
𝟑 𝐂𝐂
S Q
𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓

g
𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
𝟓𝐤𝛀

in
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟓]
𝟏 OUTPUT 𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓
ഥ
r
2 𝐕
𝟑 𝐂𝐂
R 𝐐 [𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟑]

e
Stage
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 1 5 +

n e
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟐] 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫

i
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟐]
_

g
𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝛍𝐅 Lower
𝟓𝐤𝛀

n
Comparator

E 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟏] 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐭[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟒]
Working of Monostable Multivibrator using 555 timer IC
▪ The stable state of this monostable multivibrator is zero voltage at output. At that time the
transistor is ON.
▪ If we negative trigger {lower than Vcc/3} then lower comparator output goes high which

d a
will reset SR flip flop, hence output goes high and Transistor turned OFF.

n
▪ As the transistor is turned OFF, the capacitor starts charging towards 2Vcc/3.
u
F
▪ Once the Capacitor voltage goes above 2Vcc/3, The upper comparator output goes high

g
which will set SR flip flop, hence output goes low and the transistor is turned ON.

er in
i n e
n g
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Waveforms of Monostable Multivibrator using 555 timer IC
𝐕𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫

a
𝐕𝐂𝐂 /𝟑

d
Time

un
F
𝐕𝐂

g
𝟐𝐕𝐂𝐂 /𝟑

er
Time
in
𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓
i n e
ng
E Time
Applications of Monostable Multivibrator using 555 timer IC
▪ Frequency Divider
▪ Timer
▪ Pulse width Modulator

d a
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g F
erin
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 Bistable Multivibrator using 555
Basics of Bistable Multivibrator
▪ Bistable has Both state as a stable state.

d a
n
▪ Stable State: This state doesn’t change. Stable State changes by external trigger.

u
▪ Quasi-stable State: This state changes based on the circuit. It changes automatically.
F
in g
𝐕𝐒𝐄𝐓
𝐕𝐒𝐄𝐓
r
𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓

e
Time Bistable

e
𝐕𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐓 Multivibrator

g i n
Time
𝐕𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐓
𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓

E n Time
Stable State
Circuit of Bistable Multivibrator using 555 timer IC
𝐕𝐂𝐂 𝐕𝐂𝐂 [𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟖]
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞
𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐝 Upper
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟕]
𝟓𝐤𝛀 C

a
𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 Comparator B
𝐑𝐀 8 4 +

d
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟔]

n
2 _ E

u
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 SR Flip Flop

F
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝟐
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟐]
555 IC 3 𝐕
𝟑 𝐂𝐂
S Q

g
𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
𝟓𝐤𝛀

in
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟓]
𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟏 OUTPUT 𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓
ഥ
r
6 𝐕 R 𝐐 [𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟑]
𝟑 𝐂𝐂

e
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟔] Stage
+

e
𝐑𝐁 1 5

n
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫

i
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟐]
_

g
𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝛍𝐅 𝟓𝐤𝛀 Lower

n
Comparator

E 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟏] 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐭[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟒]
▪ At Tigger, If a Negative pulse is given, the Lower comparator resets the SR Flip Flop and
output goes high.
▪ At Threshold, If a Positive pulse is given, the higher comparator sets the SR Flip Flop and
output goes low.
Waveforms of Bistable Multivibrator using 555 timer IC
𝐕𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫

Time

a
𝐕𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝

Time
n d
𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓

F u
in g
r
Time

e e
g i n
E n
Designing of Astable Multivibrator
Question 1 – Design a square wave generator of the duty cycle of 2/3 using the 555 timer IC.

a
𝐕𝐂𝐂

n d
𝐑𝐀 8 4

F u
g
7
𝐑𝐁
555 IC 3
𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓
erin
e
6

𝐂 2

g i n
n
1 5

𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝛍𝐅
E
Question 2 – Design a square wave generator of a duty cycle of 1/2 using the 555 timer IC.
𝐕𝐂𝐂

𝐑𝐀 8 4
7

d a
𝐑𝐁 3
un
F
555 IC
6 𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓
2

in g
r
𝐂

e
1 5

𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝛍𝐅
i n e
n g
E
Question 3 – Design a square wave generator of a duty cycle of 1/3 using the 555 timer IC.
𝐕𝐂𝐂

𝐑𝐀 8 4
7

d a
𝐑𝐁 3
un
F
555 IC
6 𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓
2

in g
r
𝐂

e
1 5

𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝛍𝐅
i n e
n g
E
Question 4 – Find the frequency of the given astable multivibrator using 555 timer IC.
𝐕𝐂𝐂

8 4

a
𝟏𝐤𝛀

d
7

𝟏𝐤𝛀 3
un
F
555 IC
6 𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓
2

in g
er
𝟏𝟎𝟎𝐧𝐅 1 5

𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝛍𝐅
i n e
n g
E
Designing of Monostable Multivibrator
Question – Design a Monostable Multivibrator using the 555 timer IC, which is used in

a
washing machines for a duration of 5 minutes.

d
𝐕𝐂𝐂

un
𝐑𝐀 8 4

g F
in
7

er
6

e
𝐂 555 IC 3

n
𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐓

g i
n
2

E
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 1 5
[𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝟐]

𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝛍𝐅
 d a
un
g F
erin
i n e
ng
E