How to Make a 555 Timer Chip Circuit

This will be a tutorial on how to make a beginner 555 timer chip circuit to pulse a led on and off. This is a very easy circuit, all you need to know is basic electronics and how to use a breadboard.

Step 1: What Is a 555 Timer Chip

A 555 timer chip is a IC that is used in a variety of devices like timers, pulse generators, and oscillators to name a few. It was introduced in 1971 by the company Signectics. It is still used today because of the low price, easy usage, and stability. In 2003, 1 billion 555 timers were made. Well, want to know the different 555 timer chips, Ne555, SE555, TLC555, 7555, 556, 558, so many that its confusing. 555 timer chips have 3 modes, bi-stable, mono-stable, as-table. Bistable mode is a basic flip flop. Monostable mode is when power goes into the chip, the capacitor connected to it will pulse your device once until power goes into the chip again. Astable mode is the mode we will be using today, it is a oscillator that will pulse on and off depending on the capacitor connected to Pin 2 (which you will learn about).

Step 2: What You Need?

You will need the following parts

9 volt battery

9 volt battery clip

breadboard or PCB

555 timer chip

led

3 resistors of any value(affects flash speed)

wire

One capacitor (1000 uf recamended )

Step 3: 555 Timer Chip Pin Diagram

You will need to know which pins are which. Your 555 timer chip will have a notch or dot or both telling where is Pin 1 is. If you have a notch then pin 1 is below it when the notch is facing left. If you have a dot then the pin closest to the dot is Pin 1.

Step 4: Laying Down the Parts on the Breadboard

First put your 555 timer chip on the breadboard and 9 volt battery clip. Then connect Pin 1 to GND and pin 8 to positive. Then connect pin 4 to positive. Connect your two resistors, first one from pin 2 to pin 7, then from pin 7 to positive. connect your led with the resistor from pin 3 to a empty hole on breadboard, then the led from the resistor to ground. then hook your capacitor from pin 2 to ground,(watch out electrolytic capacitors are polarized!) Lastly a jumper from pin 2 to pin 6.

Step 5: Closing

I hope you made a 555 timer circuit work. if there is a problem comment about it and I will help you. BYE!

Comments

[khalifayaa3]

Can i have a circuit diagram of 555 timer please

[trekman]

I have two questions:

Can i get a schematic drawing of this circuit?

I need a circuit using 12 volt that when power is applied a buzzer will sound for 30 seconds then turn off until the power is turned off then when power goes on it will repeat. Can you help me? would you draw that circuit for me?

Thanks, Tom

[e-mail]

[coolyyz154]

are you sure your 555 is connected all the way in or right way

[Merv307]

I completed mine, The led lights up, but should it be blinking? my LED just stays on. I would like it to blink. Thanks

[coolyyz154]

is your capacitor connected the right way, or any componets

[Merv307]

Yes, the LED is LIT, just not blinking

[Abhi909]

great project

can i place your project on my website.

i'm working on a website which is related to electrical projects.

i also mention your name.

plz reply

[coolyyz154]

yes you can. This is actually the first time I have been asked to be put on a web site thank you

[nliwilson]

Nice and simple "basics" instructable, thanks. :)

[DaveJ1]

I like the introduction you're providing, but think there might be an error here- When the notch is turned to the right, Pin 1 will be above, not below, as stated in Step 3...I think the easier and more common description is that pin 1 is on the upper left when the notch is at the 12:00 position. Your diagram is spot on, just looking out for any new folks.