555 Timer Pinout
Pin Name Function
1 Ground Pin 1 connects the 555 timer chip to ground.
Pin 2 is the trigger pin. It works like a starter pistol to start the 555 timer
running. The trigger is an active low trigger, which means that the timer
2 Trigger starts when voltage on pin 2 drops to below 1/3 of the supply voltage.
When the 555 is triggered via pin 2, the output on pin 3 goes high
Pin 3 is the output pin. 555 timer's output is digital in nature. It is either
high or low. The output is either low, which is very close to 0V, or high,
3 Output which is close to the supply voltage that's placed on pin 8. The output pin is
where you would connect the load that you want the 555 timer to power.
This may be an LED, in the case of a 555 timer LED flasher circuit.
Pin 4 is the reset pin. This pin can be used to restart the 555 timer's timing
operation. This is an active low input, just like the trigger input. Thus, pin 4
4 Reset must be connected to the supply voltage of the 555 timer to operate. If it is
momentarily grounded, the 555 timer's operation is interrupted and won't
start again until it's triggered again via pin 2.
Pin 5 is the control pin. In most 555 timer circuits, this pin is simply
connected to ground, usually through a small capacitor, about 0.01 µF
5 Control capacitor. This capacitor serves to level out any fluctuations in the power
Voltage supply voltage that might affect the operation of the timer. Some circuits
(though rare) do use a resistor between the control pin and Vcc to apply a
small voltage to pin 5. This voltage alters the threshold voltage, which in
turn changes the timing interval. Most circuits do not use this capability,
though.
Pin 6 is the threshold pin. The purpose of this pin is to monitor the voltage
across the capacitor that's discharged by pin 7. When this voltage reaches
6 Threshold 2/3 of the supply voltage (Vcc), the timing cycle ends, and the output on pin
3 goes low.
Pin 7 is the discharge pin. This pin is used to discharge an external capacitor
that works in conjunction with a resistor to control the timing interval. In
7 Discharge most circuits, pin 7 is connected to the supply voltage through a resistor
and to ground through a capacitor.
Pin 8 is connected to the positive power supply voltage.
8 Power Supply 555 timer ICs need DC voltage in order to operate. This is the pin which
(Vcc) connects to the DC voltage to power the 555 chip. The voltage must be at
least 4.5V and no greater than 15V. It's common to run 555 timer circuits
using 4 AA or AAA batteries for 6V or a single 9V battery.