Electronics All-in-One For Dummies, 3rd Edition

Chapter 2

The Fabulous 555 Timer Chip

IN THIS CHAPTER

Learning about the 555 timer chip

Exploring the different ways to configure a 555 timer chip

Using the 556 dual-timer chip

Building basic 555 timer chip circuits

The 555 timer chip, developed in 1970, is probably the most popular integrated circuit ever made. By some estimates, more than a billion of them are manufactured every year. Its popularity is well deserved. The 555 is a single-chip version of a commonly used circuit called a multivibrator, which is useful in a wide variety of electronic circuits. You can use the 555 chip for basic timing functions, such as turning a light on for a certain length of time, or you can use it to create a warning light that flashes on and off. You can use it to produce musical notes of a particular frequency, or you can use it to control positioning of a servo device. (You learn about servos in Book 6, Chapter 5.) The list goes on and on.

In this chapter, you learn how to use this versatile chip in a variety of circuits. First, I explain how the 555 works and what each of its pins do. Then, ...