Assembling a 2-LED Flasher Light Using IC 555
The IC 555 is a versatile and widely used timer IC that can be configured in various modes to create different types of circuits. One popular application is making an LED flasher circuit, where LEDs blink at regular intervals. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of assembling a 2-LED flasher light using the IC 555.
Know your circuit
Components Required
To build this circuit, you'll need the following components:
IC 555 Timer
Two LEDs (any color)
Resistors: 1KΩ -- 3 nos.
Resistor 270KΩ -- 1 no.
Capacitors: 4.7µF - 1 no.
Breadboard
Connecting wires
6V Battery
The circuit is very simple and as I stated earlier, it is a straightforward circuit, easy to assemble even by a novice.
You can understand the pin connections from the IC 555 datasheet available online.
Know the design of the circuit
The IC 555 is configured in astable mode, which means it generates a continuous output in the form of a square wave. The timing components (resistors and capacitors) determine the frequency of the output pulses. When the output at pin 3 goes high, the first LED lights up, and when it goes low, the second LED lights up. This creates an alternating flashing effect.
Adjusting the Flashing Rate
The flashing rate of the LEDs can be adjusted by changing the values of the resistors and capacitors. For example, increasing the value of the capacitor C1 will slow down the flashing rate, while decreasing it will speed it up. Similarly, changing the resistor values of the resistor R2 will also affect the timing.
Applications
This 2 LED flasher circuit can be used in various applications, such as:
Decorative lighting
Signal indicators
Educational projects
Know more about LED from the site here.
Know your Assembly
Place the IC 555 on the Breadboard: Insert the IC 555 timer into the breadboard, ensuring
that the notch on the IC is facing upwards.
Connect Power Supply: Connect pin 8 of the IC 555 to the positive rail of the breadboard
and pin 1 to the negative rail.
Set Up the Timing Components: Connect a 1KΩ resistor between pin 7 and the
positive rail. Connect a 270KΩ resistor between pin 7 and pin 2Connect a 4.7µF capacitor between pin 2 and the negative rail. Connect a jumper wire
between pin 6 and pin 2. Configure the Control Pin: Connect pin 4
and 8 to the positive rail using a jumper wire.
Add the LEDs:
Connect the anode (longer leg) of the first LED to pin 3 of the IC 555. Connect a
1kΩ resistor
between
the cathode (shorter leg) of the first LED and the
negative rail. Connect the cathode (shorter leg) of the second LED to pin 3 of the IC 555
and the
positive leg to the positive rail through 1k ohm resistor. Repeat the same for the second
LED, connecting it in parallel with the first LED.
Complete the Circuit: Connect a 10kpF capacitor between pin 2 and the negative rail.
Conclusion
Assembling a 2-LED flasher light using the IC 555 is a simple yet fascinating project that demonstrates the versatility of the IC 555 timer. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create your own LED flasher circuit and experiment with different component values to achieve the desired flashing rate.
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