ECEF 1114 ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY

LAB 1 : CIRCUIT CONSTRUCTION AND TESTING

INTRODUCTION
555 IC timer is a chip that is integrated. The usage of it is can be a timer, pulse generator
and oscillator. It can delay time or even as an oscillator and multivibrator (flip-flop). It generate
time delaying or oscillation with high accuracy. Because due to the stability of LM 555 is high.
A stable free running frequency and duty cycle are accurately controlled with external resistor
and one capacitor. In this circuit construction there is soldering is needed. Soldering is process
that combine two or more metal on electronic components to stick it together. So it can conduct
electricity and it does not loose between the electronic components. At the mean time , this
experiment is also needed to know the knowledge of the waveform of the blinking LED by using
oscilloscope and voltage drop on the selected pins.

Experimental Procedures:
1. First construction is on the breadboard according to Figure 1. The construction is a
success with LED blinked , the voltage drop at pin 7 , 2 , 6 and 3 have been measured.
The blinked LED and the output waveform at pin 3 have been observed and measured by
using oscilloscope. The output waveform has been sketched and put in the report.
2. Procedure number 1 has been repeated by changing R1 to 4.7 kΩ.
3. The working principle of 555 , blinked LED , waveform and voltage drop across those
pins in the report has been commented.
4. The circuit from either procedure 1 or 2 has been transferred to veroboard.

Circuit Operation:
The circuit is constructed astable modes. The astable configuration is using two resistor which is
R1 and R2 . At the same time, there is a capacitor. No control pin is use in this configuration.
The capacitor is charged through R1 and R2 .Capacitor only discharged through R2 because
threshold pin which is pin 6 causes the output go low. The discharge are till 2/3 of the supply
voltage. Pin 1,2,3, and 5 connected to Ground (GND) due to excess current supplied from supply
voltage which is 5V. Pin 2 is Trigger. Which is when this input falls below 1⁄2 of CTRL voltage
(typically 1⁄3 VCC, CTRL being 2⁄3 VCC by default if CTRL is left open), the OUT pin goes
high and a timing interval starts. As long as the trigger is kept at low voltage, OUT will be high.
Transition of the flip-flop from set to reset. Pin 3 is OUTPUT and its output voltage must lower
input voltage which is Vcc or voltage supply. Pin 4 is to reset or to disable the time. Since is not
use , tied to positive rail to avoid false triggering. Pin 5 is control voltage and access to the
internal voltage divider. Pin 6 is threshold. when the voltage at THR ("threshold") is greater than
that at CTRL (2⁄3 VCC if CTRL is open) the timing (OUT high) interval ends. Pin 7 is discharge
which is open-collector output (internal transistor), which may discharge a capacitor between
intervals. In phase with output. It toggles the output from high to low when voltage reaches 2/3
of the supply voltage. Pin 8 is the power supply.

Results :

Figure 1 : The circuit set-up with LED turn off in a split second.
Figure 2 : The circuit set-up with the LED light up in a split second.

Figure 3 : The Waveform of the blinking LED than 25ms per duty cycle
 Figure 4 : The circuit set up on veroboard

Voltage drop with 1KΩ of R1

Pins Lowest Voltage (V) Highest Voltage (V)
7 1.51 3.41
2 2.41 2.82
6 2.27 2.79
3 1.08 2.73
Table 1
Voltage drop with 4.7kΩ of R1
Pins Lowest Voltage (V) Highest Voltage (V)
7 1.63 3.33
2 2.28 2.74
6 1.62 3.38
3 1.37 2.9
Table 2

Discussion
 Circuit operation on the breadboard was a successful according to the requirement and
objective of the experiment. But the circuit operation on the veroboard was unsuccessful. The
circuit construction is correct and exact same set-up as the diagram and on the breadboard. The
soldering technique and quality is decent. But in the LED does not blink. This may be cause by
soldering temperature has accidently burnt the component of LED or the 555 ic . Since the
electronic components are too fragile and tiny. Accidental might happen sometimes. With
temperature of the soldering temperature of 480° C, the risk of burnt the component is easy to
occur. Because the electronic component is sensitive.
The Blinking LED circuit uses a 555 timer in astable mode, which generates a continuous
output in the form of a square wave at pin 3. This waveform will turn LED ON and OFF. The
duration of ON/ OFF depends on the time cycle of the square wave. We can change the speed of
blinking by changing the value of capacitance.
The precaution during soldering filler metal on the electronic component must be low
melting point. Or else the filler metal won’t melt. It is safe to have gloves and mask on during
soldering process. Too much exposure the melting of the filler metal bad for health. Must be in
dry condition because moist or wet condition can lead to electric shock. Be gentle when put on
the electronic component either on the breadboard or veroboard. Make sure the tip of the solder
does not pass good operation. Be cautious when taking the reading since the LED is blinking and
the voltmeter depicts fluctuation of the voltage value. Try to avoid systematic errors which is
incorrect calibration of the measuring instrument. Eyes must be perpendicular to the voltmeter to
avoid the parallax error. Count wrongly from actual reading and measurement can lead to
random errors. Make sure the power supply is regulating voltage adequately before trying to
power anything with it.

CONCLUSION
The blinking of the LED is cause the 555 timer ic and the by using breadboard set up the circuit
and oscilloscope can depicts the wave form and the blinking of the LED within millisecond.