Timer IC Distributor in China

RANTLE Timer IC is suitable in most cases where a ‘555 timer’ is specified. With low power version and are available with the same pin arrangement. However, their maximum output current is much lower and they should only be used when specified (to increase battery life).

RANTLE Timer IC can be used in several circuits such as Astable, Monostable, Bistable, and buffer. Timer IC can produce a square wave for flashing LEDs, making sounds, driver counters, and many more.

Our RANTLE Timer IC is extremely versatile that can be used to build lots of different circuits. It is usually used to generate continuous of pulses.

RANTLE Timer IC is a highly stable controller capable of producing accurate time delays or oscillation. The Timer IC is precisely controlled by one external resistor and capacitor.

RANTLE offers world’s smallest 555 Timer IC with low power high accuracy and a FMAX of 3MHz. It is available in a chip-sized packaged (8-bumps DSBGA) using DSBGA package technology. The timer IC offers a capability of generating accurate time delays and frequencies with much lower power dissipation and supply current spikes.

We have also RANTLE Timer IC which circuits may be triggered and reset on falling waveforms, and the output circuit can source or sink up to 200 mA or drive TTL circuits.

Choose our one of a kind RANTLE timer IC now! With the accurate quotation, excellent credit, reasonable price, reliable quality, fast delivery, authentic service, we have won the praise of majority of customers.

Be one of our customers who experienced the high-quality performance of our product.

If you are interested of our Timer IC, create an RFQ or feel free to send us an email to expedite your order. We are ethical, friendly and professional. We put quality and customers first – all the time.

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Timer IC: The Ultimate FAQs Guide

In this guide, you’re going to learn about features, applications, operating modes, packaging and working principle of timer ICs, among other aspects.

By the end of this guide, you will be an expert in timer integrated circuits.

Here’s all you need to know:

What is a Timer Integrated Circuit?

Tmer IC Circuit

Timer IC is a highly stable controller that can produce precise time delays and oscillations.

Compared to many timers, Timer integrated circuit is cost-efficient, comfortable, and easy to use. It is by far the most widely utilized IC, normally applied in an array of pulse generation, oscillator, and timer applications.

In its standard form, a timer chip is a Bipolar 8-pin mini DIP device made up of:

• 2 diodes,
• Approximately 25 transistors
• Around 16 resistors arranged to create 2 comparators
• Flip-flop
• The mega current output terminal

What are the Features of Timer IC?

Here are some of the main characteristics of timer integrated circuits:

• Timer IC can be found embedded within an 8-pin and a 14 pin Dip.
• Mostly designed employing bipolar and low-power CMOS technologies.
• Easy to utilize, cost-efficient and stable
• The temperature inside the system is said to be between 0 and 75 °C.
• Typically consist of 2 diodes, 16 resistors, and 25 transistors.
• Has between 4.5 V to 15 V operating power supply range.
• Can run a transistor-transistor logic thanks to its high current o/p.
• The operating temperature ranges from is 0 to 75 degrees Celsius.

What are the Main Components of the Timer Integrated Circuit?

Timer integrated circuit

Standard timer integrated circuit comprises of various electrical and electronic elements including:

• Discharge Transistor
• Voltage divider
• Diodes
• Comparators
• capacitor
• A flip-flop
• An output stage

In the voltage divider, there are three alike 5 K resistors that result in two reference voltages at 1/3 and 2/3 of the Vcc.

Which are the applications of the Timer Integrated Circuit?

The most common applications of timer ICs include utilizing them as:

• Digital logic probes
• Temperature measuring instruments
• Analogue frequency meters
• Waveform generators
• Tachometers
• Astable multivibrators
• DC-DC converters
• Monostable multivibrators
• Voltage regulators
• Control devices

What is the Pin Configuration of Timer Integrated Circuits?

Pin configuration of timer IC

Standard timer ICs are 8-pin electronic circuits with each pin having its specific role. The configuration of pins in the integrated circuit is as follows:

· GND Pin

Pin-1 is a ground pin which supplies a zero voltage to the timer IC.

It is the circuit’s common ground point. GND pin connects to the ground terminal of the power supply and that of the external circuit.

You can either connect this pin to the negative rail or ground it.

Nevertheless, it is not advisable to link GND to a resistor as this may make the IC heat up because of accrued stray voltage in it.

· Trigger Pin

Pin-2 functions as the trigger pin which launches the timing sequence of the timer integrated circuit. A low signal at Pin-2 activates the timer.

The trigger pulse supplied to the trigger pin by the external circuit determines the timer IC output.

If the trigger terminal receives one-third of the supply voltage, then the output of the circuit switch from low to high.

For a run of 0.1 uS, the trigger pin requires a current of 0.5 uA, and to inhibit erroneous trigger as a result of noise, you need a pull-up coupling at pin-2.

The pin will have a voltage of 1.67 V and 5 V for 5 Volts and 15 Volts supply voltage.

· Output Pin

Pin-3 functions as an output pin whose purpose is to get output and to connect with the load.

The output value of the timer IC is either low or high, which relies on the duration of the timing cycle of the input pulse.

This pin has the ability to either sink or source electric current, with a maximal of 200 mA.

When the output is high, it sources currently since there is a lower voltage in comparison to Vcc.

Alternatively, when output is low, it sinks current since there is a moderately higher voltage than zero.

· Reset Pin

Pin-4 is known as the reset pin where you apply a negative pulse to reset or disable the timer IC.

This pin is either coupled to the positive rail to prevent false triggering.

In spite of the input, the timer IC gets reconfigured in case of a logic low impulse at pin-4, with the needed reconfiguration voltage and current of 0.7 V and 0.1 mA respectively.

· Control Voltage Pin

Pin-5 is referred to as the control voltage pin whose function is to modulate the levels of trigger and threshold.

It is also instrumental in controlling pulse breadth of the output waveform.

When you introduce an external voltage, pin-5 will moderate the output waveform.

The control voltage pin of the timer integrated circuit can remain unconnected or you can link to ground utilizing a 0.01uf capacitor.

In certain applications, pin-5 also modulates the top comparator threshold voltage.

Pin-5 is usually coupled to an exterior DC signal that is helpful in adjusting the duty cycle.

· Threshold Pin

Pin-6 of the timer IC acts as the threshold pin. The two comparator circuits comprise control voltage and threshold voltage.

The purpose of the circuit is to compare the obtainable reference voltage at Pin-5 to the obtainable voltage at Pin-6.

The output is low in the event the obtainable voltage at Pin-6 is higher compared to the and vice versa.

Connected to the positive terminal of the top comparator circuitry, the pin supplies it with a threshold voltage.

There will be a change in the duty cycle when the threshold pin of the timer IC has a voltage greater than 2/3 of the Vcc.

For an impulse duration of 0.1 uS, pin-6 always needs a current of 0.1 mA.

· Discharge Pin

This is Pin-7 of the timer integrated circuit which offers the timing capacitor a discharge channel via the NPN transistor.

In a scenario where the output is low, pin-7 gives the externally coupled capacitor a low-resistance discharge channel.

To inhibit damage to the IC, the discharge current ought to be below 50 mA. However, in case the output is high, this pin serves as an open circuitry.

· Supply Terminal

Pin-8 acts as the voltage supply pin whose role is to serve the voltage to the timer IC with regard to the ground terminal.

Also referred to as Vcc, Pin-8 is linked to the positive rail of the voltage supply, with the supplied voltage varying from +5 V to +18 V.

Which are the different types of Timer IC?

There are many different types of timers, but let’s look at the three commonly used types:

· 555 Timer Integrated Circuit

The primary 555 timer acquires its name from the three 5kΩ resistors that are internally attached.

Also, the resistors produce reference voltages of the two comparators.

This type of timer IC is a very affordable, popular, and instrumental precision timing electronic gadget.

You can use IC 555 as a simple timer to produce long time delays or single pulses.

In addition, it can as well function as a relaxation oscillator generating a stabilized waveforms string having differing duty cycles ranging from 50-100 percent.

The 555 timer IC is an exceptionally robust and reliable 8-pin gadget that you can use as either astable, monostable, or bistable multivibrator.

You can use it in a myriad of applications like pulse generation, single or long delay timer, logic clocks, tone, and alarm generation, among many more applications.

Basically, you can use it in any kind of circuit that requires some form of timing as the list of its applications are endless.

Based on structure, there exist two main versions of 555 timers, which are SE 555 timers and NE 555 timer.

The first one operates at a temperature range of between 0 and 70°C.

While the latter can work in temperatures between –55°C and 125°C with temperature stability of 0.005 percent per 0 degree Celsius.

· 556 Timer Integrated Circuit

556 Timer IC

This is a dual variety of the 555 timer IC, that is, it consists of two IC 555 that function independently.

The timers work separately sharing only ground and Vss. You can trigger or reset the 556 timer IC on dropping waveforms.

Also, the CMOS types provide advanced features for certain applications.

556 IC has a 14-pin configuration with each timer furnished with its specific trigger, reset, control, threshold, discharge, and output pins.

You can use this timer IC type for both pulse generation and as an oscillator due to the presence of two independent 555 timers.

Normally, the monostable 555 IC functions as a pulse generator, whereas astable one works as an oscillator.

· 7555 Timer IC

7555 Timer IC

This is a CMOS RC low-power electronic circuit that exhibits more potential than the ordinary 555 timers.

7555 IC is a stable controller with the ability to give precise time delays.

Single external capacitor and resistor accurately control the pulse width of waveforms in every circuit in monostable operation.

However, in astable operation, one external capacitor and two resistors precisely control both the duty cycle and the free-running frequency.

The 7555 timer IC has an 8-pin configuration.

It incorporates extra features such as enhanced functioning at high frequencies and wide range of operating voltage supply.

This is in addition to the usual reset, trigger, and threshold terminals.

What is the duty cycle in 555 timer IC?

The duty cycle of a timer IC is the portion of the whole cycle where the output is high (known as mark time) and is often expressed as a percentage.

In an ordinary 555 timer circuit, the mark time should be higher than the space-time, thus the duty cycle ought to be at least 50 percent.

What are the Operating Modes of Timer ICs?

There exist three modes of operations of timer integrated circuits as described below:

· Astable Mode

In this mode of operation, the timer IC releases consistent pulses having exact frequency depending on the value of the double capacitors and resistors.

In this case, the capacitors’ charging and discharging rely on a particular voltage.

Applying the voltage to the Time IC ensures continuous charging of the capacitors via the two resistors and consequently produce pulses constantly.

To make sure there is a continuous resetting of the circuit for timer ICs operating in astable mode, you short pins 2 and 6 together.

When the operating power trigger signal is high, there will be a total discharge of the capacitor within the circuit.

You can achieve prolonged delays by utilizing capacitors and resistors of higher values.

· Mono-Stable Mode

In the operating mode of timer IC, the circuit produces only one impulse when the timer receives a signal from the trigger button input. 

The rating values of the capacitor and the resistor determines the period of the pulse.

When you apply an activating pulse via a push-button switch to the input of the circuit, the capacitor becomes charged and the IC produces a high pulse. 

The Timer IC will stay high until the capacitor discharges completely.

In order to boost the time delay, you can use a resistor and capacitor of higher rating values.

· Bistable Mode

The circuit releases a 2-stable state signal including state and low.

The operating power signals of high and low signals state pulses are regulated not through the capacitor charging and discharging.

They are modulated by resetting and activating the input pins.

In case the active pin is supplied with the low logic signal, the operating power of the timer IC will go high.

On the other hand, the operating power of the IC will go low if the reset pin is supplied with a low signal.

How does a Timer IC Work?

The internal resistors function as a voltage divider complex.

They supply a third Vcc at the negative terminal of the bottom comparator and two-third Vcc at the positive terminal of the top comparator.

The control input is rarely used in the majority of applications, making the control voltage equivalent to + (2/3) Vcc.

The top comparator has pin-5 as control input and a pin-6 as a threshold input.

The timer IC utilizes the top comparator output to configure the flip-flop (S) input.

In any case, the threshold voltage surpasses the control voltage, the flip flop will be set by the top comparator and making its output high.

The discharge transistor becomes saturated when supplied by the high out found at the flip flop. This as a result discharges the transistor externally linked to the discharge pin-7.

The complementing pulse from the flip flop moves to the output, pin-3 where the output is low.

These conditions prevail till the flip flop gets activated by the bottom comparator.

Nevertheless, the top comparator has no capacity to alter the flip flop again even in the event that threshold input drops under two-third of Vcc.

This signifies that the top comparator circuitry has only the capability to the output of the flip flop high.

To alter the flip flop output to low, the trigger input voltage must drop below a 1/3 Vcc.

In this scenario, the flip flop gets activated by the bottom comparator resulting in low output.

As a result, the discharge transistor switches off due to the low output of the flip flop, leading to high output at the power amplifier.

These conditions will stay in spite of the voltage of the trigger input.

The bottom comparator can only compel the flip flop to register a low output.

What is the Role of Comparators and Flip Flop in a Timer IC?

Comparator in timer IC

A comparator is a component of timer IC that compares the input voltages at the negative (inverting) and positive (non-inverting) input terminals.

This makes it possible to determine the output of the comparator based on the difference in the negative and positive input terminal.

Timer ICs utilize a number of transistors to build their comparators.

For example, take an input terminal voltage of +5 V and a +3 V negative terminal voltage. The difference will be, 5-3= +2 V.

Because the difference is positive, the comparator output will be a positive peak voltage.

On the other hand, assume a +3 V positive terminal voltage and +5 V negative terminal voltage. The difference will be, +3-+5= -2 V.

Since the input voltage difference is negative, you will have a negative peak voltage in the comparator output.

A flip flop can be described as circuitry that serves as a switch linking two stable states grounded on its inputs conditions.

Flip flop electronic circuit

Based on the duo comparators conditions, this component of timer IC provides either high or low output.

In case the trigger comparator output has low signal, the flip flop will register high output in spite of the condition of the threshold comparator.

On the other hand, when both comparator outputs have high signal, the out of the flip flop becomes low.

It is possible to manually reconfigure a flip flop high impulse output by modulating the reset pin low.

Is Timer IC an Analogue or Digital Integrated Circuit?

To ensure proper functioning of the timer IC, it relies on both analog and digital electronic components and mechanisms.

Basically, the IC can be taken as a device helpful in analog to digital conversion. It transforms the analog input voltage into digital output signals.

However, if you factor in its output only, then the timer IC can be presumed as a digital gadget. Usually, there are two states of the output, including low state that is denoted by 0 V and high state.

The high state is the power supply voltage, often presented as Vcc and can span from 4.5 V to 15 V, though 18 V is the absolute maximum.

What is the difference between Vss and Vcc in Timer IC?

Voltage Common Collector, usually abbreviated as Vcc, is the high voltage in relation to ground. Vcc is the power supply input of the timer IC, and it can be negative or positive in relation to ground.

However, when you use positive power source then voltage source supply (Vss) implies zero or ground.

Which are the Packages for Timer Integrated Circuit?

Presently, timer ICs are found in surface-mount packages such as BGA, VSSOP-8, SSOP-8, TSSOP-8, and SO-8.

You can as well find them in through-hole packages like SIP-8 and DIP-8.

MIC1555 is a microchip technology 555 CMOS timer IC having 3 fewer pins which comes in SOT23-5 surface mount package.

On the other hand, you can find the dual 556 timer IC in surface-mount packages in the form of SSOP-14 and SO-14 and through-hole packages in the form of DIP-14.

How do you Test if a Timer IC is working?

Timer IC Circuits

To demonstrate how to test whether a timer IC is working or not, let’s use the circuit above having NE555 as the timer IC. In the circuit, the NE555 is installed as a stable multivibrator.

When you press the push button S1, the D1 and D2 LEDs will blink concurrently.

The rate of blinking will rely on the capacitor C1 and resistors R1 and R2.

After pushing the switch S1, C1 will begin to charge via R1 and R2.

The internal flip flop will switch when the voltage through C1 beyond two-third of the Vcc.

As a result, the pin-7 output becomes low and C1 begins to discharge.

Conversely, when the voltage via C1 falls below one-third of Vcc, the internal flip flop will reset result in high output at pin-7.

Consequently, the C1 will begin to charge again.

Based on the frequency of the charging and discharging cycle, the D1 and D2 will blink.

All these observations can only take place in a properly working timer IC.

Therefore, depending on what is observed, you can determine whether the NE555 IC is functioning properly or not.

However, it essential to consider the following factors when testing a timer IC:

• Build the circuit on a high-quality common board or PCB.
• Power the circuit using a 9 V radio battery.
• When D1 and D2 blink when you press S1, you can presume that the timer IC is working properly.

Which are the Specifications that you should look for in Timer IC?

Here are the essential specifications that you should consider when shopping for a timer Integrated circuit:

• Power consumption
• Supply voltage
• Maximum Power dissipation
• Supply current
• Operating temperature
• Output current

What is a Schmitt Trigger in the 555 timer IC?

This a form of comparator circuitry which realizes hysteresis by expending positive feedback to a comparator’s non-inverting input of a differential amplifier.

It is an active electronic circuit that transforms an analog input pulse into a digital output pulse.

Schmitt trigger derives its name from the fact that its output sustains its value up to the point where input change is adequate to institute an adjustment.

In a non-inverting layout, there will be high output if the input is greater in comparison to a selected threshold.

In contrast, you will have a low output when the input is lower in comparison to the selected threshold.

Nevertheless, in case the input falls between the two levels, the output sustains its value.

This double threshold response is referred to as hysteresis and indicates that the Schmitt trigger has a memory and is capable of functioning as a bistable multivibrator.

How do you Protect Timer ICs from Temporal High Voltage Spike?

Like any other type of integrated circuit, there is a need to guard the timer IC against temporal high voltage spike generated when you switch off an inductive load like a relay coil.

It is crucial to connect the standard protection diode over the relay coil.

The timer IC needs an additional diode coupled in series with the relay coil.

This is to make sure that there is no backflow of pulse into the IC in case of any small glitch.

Lack of this extra diode may result in re-triggering of monostable timer ICs when switching the coil off.

In short, once you understand everything in this guide, choosing a timer IC will be a simple process.

However, if you have more questions about timer IC, Rantle team is here to help.

We design and manufacture reliable timer ICs at affordable prices to support your business.