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How to Generate a Clock Signal with a 555 Timer -- The Learning Circuit 72

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How to Generate a Clock Signal with a 555 Timer

The Learning Circuit | element14 presents |  Project Videos

 

 

Karen has been digging into 555 timers for a bit now. In a previous video, she did an overview of the 3 different modes in which a 555 timer can be used. In this video, Karen goes into further detail about one of those modes: Astable. In astable mode, a 555 timer can be used as an oscillator where the output automatically switches between high and low at a consistent rate as long as the 555 timer is connected to power.This is often the most common use of a 555 timer as it can be used to create the clock signal for other ICs. Karen explains what is happening inside the 555 to make this work, as well as creating the circuit on a breadboard to show how it works in a practical example.

 

Bill of Material:

 

Product NameManufacturerQuantityBuy KitBuy Kit
Breadboard, MCM 60 rows, ABS, 8.5mm, 165mm x 56mmMulticomp1Buy NowBuy Now
LM555CN - Timer, Oscillator & Pulse Generator IC, TTL Compatible, Astable, Monostable, 4.5 V to 16 V, DIP-8On Semiconductor1Buy NowBuy Now
Ceramic Disc Capacitor, 0.01 µF, 100 V, ± 20%, 5 mmVishay1Buy NowBuy Now
140 Pc. Jumper Wire Kit, 22 AWG, Solid, Assorted Lengths and ColorsTwin Industries1Buy NowBuy Now
Through Hole Resistor, 220 ohm, 400 mW, ± 1%Vishay1Buy NowBuy Now
Through Hole Resistor, 1 kohm, 500 mW, ± 1%TT ELECTRONICS / WELWYN2Buy NowBuy Now
Red LED, Through Hole, 5mm, 20 mA, 2.1 VLED TECHNOLOGY1Buy NowBuy Now
Tactile Switch, 12mm, Yellow, Top Actuated, Through Hole, Round Button, 24 VDC, 50mAOmron1Buy NowBuy Now
Tactile Switch, 12mm, Red, 12 VDC, 50mAMulticomp1Buy NowBuy Now

 

Additional Parts:

 

Product Name
Desktop Power Supply

 



Parents

  • Good episode Karen.

     

    Just one nit, please do not poke around a circuit with a conductive screwdriver. Use a nonconductive stylus, pencil or straw anything that is non-conductive.

     

    I realize that you probably could not damage anything with this circuit, but it is good practice not to get into that habit should you get involved with any serious voltages.

     

    Safety first.

     

    DAB

Comment

  • Good episode Karen.

     

    Just one nit, please do not poke around a circuit with a conductive screwdriver. Use a nonconductive stylus, pencil or straw anything that is non-conductive.

     

    I realize that you probably could not damage anything with this circuit, but it is good practice not to get into that habit should you get involved with any serious voltages.

     

    Safety first.

     

    DAB

Children
  • in reply to DAB

    If it makes you feel better, I used plastic coated electrician's screwdrivers when I installed an outlet in my home and was dealing with 110 AC. (And of course turned off the breaker first.)

  • in reply to makerkaren

    When I worked for the phone company about four decades ago, we had a company electrician who went through one of those screwdrivers a week.

    We always knew when he was in the building because the lights would flicker whenever he was working on something.

     

    As I said, please get out of the habit. Get yourself a nonconducting pointer.

    While there might not be enough voltage to hurt you, you can accidentally short out the input to an IC or a transistor without knowing it.

     

    A student of mine recently wiped out my RPi 3B when he shorted two of the pins with a conductive wire that fell on an I/O pin.

     

    So just please be careful.

     

    DAB