Electronic Basics #26: 555 Timer IC 

The 555 was my favorite chip to use in high school back in the 80s. Boy I feel old.

Your videos are amazing ! So much information, you're going straight to the point without any detours. The information is tightly packed and the whole subject is covered quickly and efficiently. If looking for one specific information, I can watch 4 or 5 videos in what feels like no time and I'm very likely to find what I'm looking for. As an other non native english speaker (i'm french) I am very happy to be able to use english as a way to communicate with somebody that eager to make the world a smarter place.

i thougth i knew 555s, now im looking at the ceiling thinking wtf am i doing with my life

gotta love whenever I wanna do a project with a specific chip and cant grasp it you come in and clear it all up. keep up the great content!

Your drawings are immaculate!!! I love your channel. I am an engineer and I love your projects and breakdowns of circuits.

Your are a good teacher, you deliver a good explanation

Thank you so very much. Every one of your videos that I have watched has been helpful.

The topic is very old, but the explanations as usual are great. I especially love your hand-made diagrams that tell us how we should think about electronics, how it works in detail. Great job Congratulations

Beautifully clear diagrams and editing work.

What a coincidence i was messing arround with one NE555 just now. And this video helped me to solve a question, its like im asked a question and GreatScott! Created a video to reply. Thank you a lot for the video and keep up with the good work.

thank you. your videos are always creative and informative.keep it up. By the way, i got to design Schmitt Trigger in my electronics lab last semester ,and your videos really helped me

your left hand writting is better then my righthand writting.

Perfect timing for me. I just started planning some experiments with a 555. Thanks !

well done great. i'm from Mozambique and i watch all you videos.

A good summary of the 555 timer IC. Thank you !

*explains all details* and now you know all the basics :D thanks for the excellent video!

Excellent video !!! Nobody does it as well as you !!! Thanks !! ;) ;)

The best tutorial I could find for 555 timer!!

Best basics video ever saw

Good to know about the c-mos version of the 555 for PWM circuits. P.s. one of my favourite channels,, always full of info...

Great video! yes you speak fast but I can always pause and replay the parts I didn't understand the first time. :) :)

I have used a 555 but not that familiar with it. Your video has some class smooth editing it just flows ! slick ! Still had to watch it a few times for it to sink in, but that's not your fault lol

Oh man, i did a project with a 555 timer in the beginning of the semester, would be better if you had upload this earlier, ahahah Anyways, big thumbs up for you, you have always good videos and projects!

Well explained scott

Thank you for your great video

Thank u so much:) 6:25

Great video. Thanks for making it!

Suggestion: Do the LM386.

really useful video 👍

great explain Bravo

Thanks!

Had to watch this to realise the output from the flip flop is low when the main output at pin 3 is high. The book I was reading did not make this clear so I was getting confused as to why the discharge transistor was open when when the main output was high! I take it the output stage goes through an inverter?

Great video! What's that spike in PWM signal? Something to do with differentiation?

Please make a simple latching switch circuit.

That was useful, thanks a lot ;)

Channel top...

What's the point of the second diode between the cap and R2? It doen't seem to affect anything. What's gonna change if we take it out?

Can you please make a video of how to make a mini amplifier?

why are ne555 used instead of tlc555 then?

Hey Scott, I saw a SMPS CKT in which they have used transistor as a switching element controlled by pwm of pic instead of mosfet as a switch . Is it because of threshold voltage of mosfet or there is any other reason for that? Plz guide me.

you have very neat handwriting Scott

Im affraid that for half fo us this is way too hard to catch on, all too quick D:

Am I the only 1 watching and not understanding almost anything, but still likes the video anyway?

The 555 has been my favorite classic IC for over 20 years. I really enjoyed this video and learned some new things about this awesome, long lived chip.

I wish you would have posted this video a day earlier. I had a 555 question in my exam 😑😅

if this is the basics I'm fucked cuz I only understood like 30 %

I've been using 555 with no idea why we connected it in such configurations .. when u got to the deeper level .. everything is clearer .. thanks boss

Do you keep the hard copies (printed circuit diagrams that you use in videos, calculations that you do, etc) organised in a file of every project that you have done?

Hello scott, as u showed here in the explanation dt u used pin 3 as input from the pot and the diode combination, but in yr actual application of fan and led dimmer u used pin '7 as input' and 'pin 3 as out' put which works pretty well, but my question is it possible to use 'pin 7 as output' and 'pin 3 as input' (from pot). Because A guy did that and when i tried using his schematics i failed to get anykind of out put from 'pin 7' and also he used '12v zener and 270 ohm resistor'to use 555 on 24 v supply bt when i tried my resistors heated up like in seconds Here is his vidio and schematics ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-trlUiFwl6AE.html And also make a video on using zener diode as voltage regulator if possible thanks in advance

Hey When Are You Doing DIY Wireless Energy Really Want To See That BTW Awesome Video As Always

Best 555 timer explenation video that i ever seen. Thanks from Poland for your work.

You're one of the most interesting youtubers ever!

As Per usual, Scott. Quality video and good explanation. Keep it up, sir. You've more than earned every sub.

That intro exploring the internals of the 555 was amazing! Great work !

I have a question about the last example of PWM signal. Considering the lower current capabilities of the TLC555 and the fact that we use a part of the current to charge the RC circuit, I guess it's only suitable to drive a high impedance circuit at its output, right? I tried assembling this circuit, sadly, as I am just starting out, I have limited amounts of components. When I use a 10K potentiometer (don't have any other atm.), a 104nF and a red LED at the output - with small resistor at the LED, nothing happens, which is probably because of the high difference in resistance between output path and charging path. - with a big resistor at the LED, adjusting the pot. changes brightness a little bit, but the LED's brightness is nothing to brag about to begin with. - when I disconect the LED and measure the voltage out -> gnd I can get about 0,5V - 4V depending in the position of the pot. Could this be because of little output current of the TLC555? I guess I really need an oscilloscope if I want to get any further into electronics.

Another great video, Great Scott! My advice is to keep up your high tempo, despite the complaints that you're going too fast. I'm a beginner, and you're "too quick" for me too, but that's good motivation to learn more so I can eventually keep up... and your videos are never boring! In all the language classes I've taken there is always a student who complains the teacher is speaking too quickly. One teacher responded "No. You're listening too slowly." That's right on the money!

Hi, I'm a noob in electronics (I usually work with Arduino), but I wanted to start messing with chips, transistors, and much more, but I don't know how to read these weird schematics (I know how to read the circuit schematics, but I have no idea about how to read the diagrams I usually see to explain chips). Can anyone help me?

Nice fundamentals lesson, Scott! :D

For once, I actually fully understand a GreatScott! video :D Edit: Not to say your videos are confusing, but you explained the 555 in such a fantastic way.

am i the only one that said "The Fuck?" at the end of the video? cuz i only understood half of it

One thing that confuses me that I have seen other people do: You seem to be discharging the Timer through the output pin. I assume you're getting the pwm signal from the discharge pin (as seen in another video from the EEVblog). I'm wondering why this is possible, since the way I see it, the discharge pin should be floating as long as the internal transistor is not activated. In my mind this setup should not produce a decent output signal. So, what am I missing?

Man, I have a question for you. Don't know anybody else better to ask. I just bought something that is... Kind of a "dc motor". But it looks like a stepper (because of the wires exit of it) and doesn't run on DC. But it has only two wires! More: I just tested and it looks like a stepper coil! I tested its continuity and the multimiter beeped! O.o What the hell is that? LOL

Love the vids but the time between finishing a schematic and moving on is about 0.0001uS so trying to pause to look at it is more difficult than it could be

I find that just using an Arduino board (or any micro-controller with PWM) is easier because 1; you don't need any extra components other than a potentiometer and the load and 2; I find writing a few lines of code easier than hooking up components in a way that I only somewhat (even after watching this great video and others) understand.

GreatScotts, I am also an electronics student. Watching this fundamental concept on 555 IC is so refreshing. :) I really enjoyed it. Btw, which digital oscilloscope you are using?

it was superb, every week we have a nice surprise here!! Thanks again.

VOOLTAGE and COMPWARITAR... That explains why i cant do this myself....

Hi Greatscott i live in Germany Chemnitz can you please make a draw my life video

*Fundamentals Tutorial Request* Hey, nice tutorial. I need to try that 555 PWM setup now :) I've been working on Op Amps and audio filters. I haven't been able to find an example that contrasts different capacitor functions in circuits against themselves. The biggest challenge, has been when I'm trying to figure out a schematic for a device I already have, and I'm trying to understanding and identify coupling and decoupling capacitors, versus what parts of the circuit are passive RC filters, versus what parts of the circuit are for impedance matching. I am modding a small powered stereo subwoofer amp circuit and wanted to try a little JFET triode (tube amp) emulator preamp circuit on it. I built the emulator circuit and it ran fine in front of a small LM386 Amp I built. My problems began when I tried to use it in front of a stereo circuit. I am still fishing around for the solution but I think the problem has to do with input impedances. I went through the Art of Electronics, Google searches, YT search, Your Channel, Afrotechmods, and EEVBlog, but I haven't seen a direct practical approach to the problems I'm having. Everyone seems to want to explain capacitors as they relate to AC, DC, or frequency separately, but that information becomes a bit difficult to use, practically, when someone has to first identify what the function of the capacitor or RC configuration is before they can apply what they know about AC, DC, or Frequency. I think this would make an excellent fundamentals type tutorial. Feel free to contact me if you want some schematic examples to use. If I tried to explain things that I have learned, like you do on YT I could make Dave's content on EEVBlog look short. It's not that I'm too lazy or incapable. You, and many others here, have set the bar at a level of excellence that blows me away. Thanks :)

Ha... So... I understand...I guess.. So what is a 555 timer again? It usually took me 10-20 replay with me trying it myself to get me understand it.. The quality is good tho..

I tried you last schematic, and the PWM works, but something is happening that I don't understand: When the Duty cycle is at max the HIGH of the PWM is at 0V and when the Duty cycle is at min the LOW of the PWM is at 0V. So when I'm in the middle HIGH is at 20V and LOW is at -20V. I'm powering the 555 with 5V. Both capacitors are 10nF, and I use a 100K pot. Any tips?

Hallo Scott, und vielen Dank für diese Lektion. Es war gut für mich, weil ich neu in der Elektronik bin. Ich frage mich, ob Sie eine Serie mit Soundoszillatoren und vielleicht Sequenzern und Zählern machen würden.

my first greatscott video from 2016 😄

I'm a complete beginner, but I thought the capacitor connected to ground at 2:38 would immediately discharge to ground? What am I missing?

Would arduino make a rocket go to the moon? I think it will.

How the hell did humans figure this out?

I was thinking of using a 555 to add PWM in conjunction with shift register output and I guess I could, but I'd need one for each output for individual control. I'm afraid I simply don't know enough, haha.

This is exactly why this is precisely the wrong chip to use with students and beginners... Far too complicated, with insrutable black box functions! Just as steam engines are a simple entry point into engine principles, a Schmitt trigger is far more understandable. It can perform more functions in a modular way with less external components. Clock, timer, monostable, bistable, etc. It also demonstrates the use of positive and negative feedback. 40106B for students!

Best 555 video on RU-vid! Thanks GreatScott.

Can I use the 555 timer I.C. in astable mode to control a servo? If yes, what should be the capacitence of the capacitor added?

Hei Great Scott. I'm trying to get in to electronics, but often times if I google a circuit, I can't understand d it. Is there a website, you could recommend, that provides circuits as well as explanations of the parts and what the exchange of different parts will result in?

where the adjustable frequency astable mode? i did make both adjustable duty cycle and frequency on my Line Following Robot and it works very good... btw GREAT VIDS....

my favorite youtuber looking at my favorite IC, its a happy day

DUDE. Too much tech info from the very beginning! I didn't understand anything! 😢 Please next time do an escalation: from PRACTICAL usage to a progressively increase in tech details!!!

I have a question that may not have enough information to answer. I found a schematic on line i want to use but it uses 3- 555 ic's in its circuit. Is it possible to use NE558 quad timer in its place? It's for a alternating led strobe light flasher that triggers a pair of mosfet's

I really wish I understood at least 25% of what you're saying but my goodness does it require some pre-existing knowledge to actually grasp. I'm trying real hard though.

Why did you connect the pot to the output pin in 07:00?

cool but please make video About how to make 50Hz frequency for transformer to make 230v (120v) . sorry for bad english.:) I'm 13.

the art of speaking fast enough so people dont understand anything, but they still like it... GET IN TO DA RECTIFAYAH, NAOW!

I'm not too experienced with this stuff. A few years ago a friend was working on a Halloween costume and wanted a part that rotates. So I tried my hand at an an adjustable PWM signal generator feeding into a servo motor. The behavior was very erratic. It's possible there was a short, but also I'm certain I didn't use the last configuration that is featured in this video, and I'm double sure I didn't use the recommended 555.

I don't understand anything. Your explanation was the best I've seen so far all over RU-vid and College, but it reflects a deep lack of electronic technical foundation in me haha. However, you deserve thumbs up. Congratulations my friend.

you are such a Junius .I like your every videos, your learning process is too clear to me . Now a days I am studing on sstc and I want to make such a high power solid state tesla coil but I can not find the ucc37321 and ucc37322 ics .Do you please help me to drive the gate driver transformer with out this ics ! I cant drive the GDT to start the igbt, have you any solutions?

please sorry for my inglish (i'm french canadian) I would like to download everi version of the plan you present that cans help me to follow you agan and agan all long of my lerning... because i'm not good in english ant i'm not good in electronic and some time i ave the impression of you ave skipped someting at this time i rewind to remark de little difference you ave erace on the plan and some time a ave just misse one word............ Tank you tousant time you realy help me, to realise my dream, to make many project (invention) not so complicate but just littlebit too hard for me thank you agan!! good by

Nice tutorial! So, the "Eagle Layout Editor" is used for the schematics. But where to download/bye this software? Google it make me just confused...

Certainly not a beginner/basic video. Flip flops are shoes you wear on the beach..😊

Simple and super useful! Thanks! Nice that you draw internal "logic" scheme and upon that explained how 555 works! Like your "way of thinkg" and step by step explanation, where one thing is consequence of another. Great job!

I see this all the time on RU-vid that people say that the 555 is the most used chip of all, the strange thing about that is I never came across such a chip in any of the hardware that I took apart for recycling, I recently bought a few just to get familiar with the chip. Today I've got the blinking LED working for the first time, pretty neat but it can be done much easier with less components so I don't really see the advantage of it.

Why don't you start by trying to explain this to people who are novices. All this explanation of the internal workings does not help people understand how this works- it jus confuses . You are better than this. go back to when you were a 10 year old kid and want to know how to use the damn thing and make it work- not a physics lecture! I am lost after the first blurbs!!

why am I finding this 555 ic to be hard one to understand as a beginner... but I won't give up... I have watched atleast dozens of videos on 555 for last weeks and I am still struggling to grasp the concept of this IC. Please can someone tell me it is normal for a beginner to take time to digest the functionality of electronics components like IC's.

Really good explanation about the 555, but please stop from using the expression "last but not least" in every opportunity, because it gets old quickly. Thanks.