555 Timer Calculator

📖 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is a 555 Timer IC?

The 555 timer is one of the most popular and versatile integrated circuits (ICs) ever produced. It can be used to create timers, pulse generators, and oscillators. It's known for its low cost, reliability, and ease of use.

2. What is Astable Mode?

In Astable mode, the 555 timer acts as a free-running oscillator. It generates a continuous stream of rectangular pulses with a specific frequency and duty cycle, determined by two resistors (R1, R2) and a capacitor (C). It's used for tasks like blinking LEDs or generating audio tones.

3. What is Monostable Mode?

In Monostable mode, the 555 timer acts as a "one-shot" pulse generator. When triggered, it produces a single output pulse for a duration set by one resistor (R) and one capacitor (C). It is ideal for creating time delays, like for a button press.

4. What is a duty cycle?

The duty cycle describes the percentage of time that a signal is in a 'high' or 'on' state during one full cycle. A 50% duty cycle means the signal is on for half the time and off for the other half.