555 timer IC

The 555 timer IC is an integrated circuit (chip) used in a variety of timer, delay, pulse generation,
and oscillator applications. Derivatives provide two (556) or four (558) timing circuits in one
package.[2] The design was first marketed in 1972 by Signetics.[3][4] Since then, numerous
companies have made the original bipolar timers, as well as similar low-power CMOS timers. In
2017, it was said that over a billion 555 timers are produced annually by some estimates, and
that the design was "probably the most popular integrated circuit ever made".[5]
 555 timer IC

Signetics NE555 in 8-pin DIP package

Type Active, Integrated circuit

Invented Hans Camenzind (1971)

First production 1972

Electronic symbol

Internal block diagram[1]

History
Silicon die of the first 555 chip (1971)

Die of a CMOS NXP ICM7555 chip

The timer IC was designed in 1971 by Hans Camenzind under contract to Signetics.[3] In 1968,
he was hired by Signetics to develop a phase-locked loop (PLL) IC. He designed an oscillator for
PLLs such that the frequency did not depend on the power supply voltage or temperature.
Signetics subsequently laid off half of its employees due to the 1970 recession, and
development on the PLL was thus frozen.[6] Camenzind proposed the development of a universal
circuit based on the oscillator for PLLs and asked that he develop it alone, borrowing equipment
from Signetics instead of having his pay cut in half. Camenzind's idea was originally rejected,
since other engineers argued the product could be built from existing parts sold by the company;
however, the marketing manager approved the idea.[7]
The first design for the 555 was reviewed in the summer of 1971. Assessed to be without error, it
proceeded to layout design. A few days later, Camenzind got the idea of using a direct resistance
instead of a constant current source, finding that it worked satisfactorily. The design change
decreased the required 9 external pins to 8, so the IC could be fit in an 8-pin package instead of a
14-pin package. This revised version passed a second design review, and the prototypes were
completed in October 1971 as the NE555V (plastic DIP) and SE555T (metal TO-5).[8] The 9-pin
version had already been released by another company founded by an engineer who had
attended the first review and had retired from Signetics; that firm withdrew its version soon after
the 555 was released. The 555 timer was manufactured by 12 companies in 1972, and it
became a best-selling product.[6]

Name

Several books report the name "555" derived from the three 5 kΩ resistors inside the
chip.[9][10][11] However, in a recorded interview with an online transistor museum curator,[12] Hans
Camenzind said "It was just arbitrarily chosen. It was Art Fury [Marketing Manager] who thought
the circuit was gonna sell big who picked the name '555'."[13]

Design

Depending on the manufacturer, the standard 555 package incorporated the equivalent of 25
transistors, 2 diodes, and 15 resistors on a silicon chip packaged into an 8-pin dual in-line
package (DIP-8).[14][15] Variants available included the 556 (a DIP-14 combining two complete
555s on one chip),[16] and 558 / 559 (both variants were a DIP-16 combining four reduced-
functionality timers on one chip).[2]

The NE555 parts were commercial temperature range, 0 °C to +70 °C, and the SE555 part
number designated the military temperature range, −55 °C to +125 °C. These chips were
available in both high-reliability metal can (T package) and inexpensive epoxy plastic (V
package) form factors. Thus, the full part numbers were NE555V, NE555T, SE555V, and SE555T.

Low-power CMOS versions of the 555 are now available, such as the Intersil ICM7555 and Texas
Instruments LMC555, TLC555, TLC551.[17][18] [19][20]

Internal schematic
The internal block diagram and schematic of the 555 timer are highlighted with the same color
across all three drawings to clarify how the chip is implemented:[2]

Voltage Divider: Between the positive supply voltage VCC and the ground GND is a voltage
divider consisting of three identical resistors, which create two reference voltages at 1⁄3 VCC
and 2⁄3 VCC. The latter is connected to the "Control" pin. All three resistors have the same
resistance, 5 kΩ for bipolar timers, 100 kΩ (or higher) for CMOS timers.

Threshold Comparator: The comparator's negative input is connected to the higher reference
voltage divider of 2⁄3 VCC (and "Control" pin), and the comparator's positive input is connected
to the "Threshold" pin.

Trigger Comparator: The comparator's positive input is connected to the lower reference
voltage divider of 1⁄3 VCC, and the comparator's negative input is connected to the "Trigger"
pin.

Flip-Flop: An SR flip-flop stores the state of the timer and is controlled by the two
comparators. The "Reset" pin overrides the other two inputs, thus the flip-flop (and therefore
the entire timer) can be reset at any time.

Output: The output of the flip-flop is followed by an output stage with push-pull (P.P.) output
drivers that can load the "Output" pin with up to 200 mA for bipolar timers, lower for CMOS
timers.

Discharge: Also, the output of the flip-flop turns on a transistor that connects the "Discharge"
pin to the ground.
 555 internal block diagram[1]

555 internal schematic of bipolar version

 555 internal schematic of CMOS version

Pinout

The pinout of the 8-pin 555 timer[1] and 14-pin 556 dual timer[21] are shown in the following table.
Since the 556 is conceptually two 555 timers that share power pins, the pin numbers for each
half are split across two columns.[2]

In the following table, longer pin designations are used, because manufacturers never
standardized the abbreviated pin names across all datasheets.
555 556:1st 556:2nd Pin
Pin name Pin description[1][21][2]
pin# pin# pin# direction

Ground supply: this pin is the ground reference

1 7 7 GND Power
voltage (zero volts).[22]

Trigger: when the voltage at this pin falls below

1⁄ of the voltage of CONTROL (1⁄3 VCC, except
2
when CONTROL is driven by an external signal),
2 6 8 TRIGGER Input the OUTPUT goes to the high state and a
timing interval starts.[22] As long as this pin
continues to be kept at a low voltage, the
OUTPUT will remain in the high state.

Output: this pin is a push-pull (P.P.) output that

is driven to either a low state (GND) or a high
state (for bipolar timers, VCC minus
approximately 1.7 volts) (for CMOS timers,
VCC). For bipolar timers, this pin can drive up to
3 5 9 OUTPUT Output 200 mA, but CMOS timers are able to drive less
(varies by chip). For bipolar timers, if this pin
drives an edge-sensitive input of a digital logic
chip, a 100 to 1000 pF decoupling capacitor
(between this pin and GND) may need to be
added to prevent double triggering.[2]

Reset: a timing interval may be reset by driving

this pin to GND, but the timing does not begin
again until this pin rises above approximately
0.7 volts. This pin overrides TRIGGER, which in
4 4 10 RESET Input
turn overrides THRESHOLD. If this pin is not
used, it should be connected to VCC to prevent
electrical noise accidentally causing a
reset.[23][22]

5 3 11 CONTROL Input Control: this pin provides access to the internal

voltage divider (2⁄3 VCC by default). By applying
a voltage to this pin, the timing characteristics
can be changed. In astable mode, this pin can
 be used to frequency-modulate the OUTPUT
state. If this pin is not used, it should be
connected to a 10 nF decoupling capacitor
(between this pin and GND) to ensure electrical
noise doesn't affect the internal voltage
divider.[2][23][22]

Threshold: when the voltage at this pin is

greater than the voltage at CONTROL (2⁄3 VCC
except when CONTROL is driven by an external
6 2 12 THRESHOLD Input
signal), then the OUTPUT high state timing
interval ends, causing the OUTPUT to go to the
low state.[22]

Discharge: For bipolar timers, this pin is an

open-collector (O.C.) output, CMOS timers are
open-drain (O.D.). This pin can be used to
7 1 13 DISCHARGE Output discharge a capacitor between intervals, in
phase with the OUTPUT. In bistable mode and
schmitt trigger mode, this pin is unused, which
allows it to be used as an alternate output.[22]

Positive supply: For bipolar timers, the voltage

range is typically 4.5 to 16 volts, some are
spec'ed for up to 18 volts, though most will
operate as low as 3 volts. For CMOS timers, the
voltage range is typically 2 to 15 volts, some
8 14 14 VCC Power are spec'ed for up to 18 volts, and some are
spec'ed as low as 1 volt. See the supply min
and max columns in the derivatives table in
this article. Decoupling capacitor(s) are
generally applied (between this pin and GND)
as a good practice.[24][23]
 Pinout of 555 single timer.[1][2]

Pinout of 556 dual timer.[21][2]

Modes

The 555 IC has the following operating modes:

 1. Astable (free-running) mode – The 555 can operate as an electronic oscillator. Uses
include LED and lamp flashers, pulse generation, logic clocks, tone generation, security
alarms, pulse-position modulation, and so on. The 555 can be used as a simple ADC,
converting an analog value to a pulse length (e.g., selecting a thermistor as timing resistor
allows the use of the 555 in a temperature sensor with the period of the output pulse
determined by the temperature). The use of a microprocessor-based circuit can then
convert the pulse period to temperature, linearize it, and even provide calibration means.

2. Monostable (one-shot) mode – In this mode, the 555 functions as a "one-shot" pulse
generator. Applications include timers, missing pulse detection, bounce-free switches,
touch switches, frequency dividers, capacitance measurement, pulse-width modulation
(PWM), and so on.

3. Bistable (flip-flop) mode – The 555 operates as an SR flip-flop. Uses include bounce-free
latched switches.

4. Schmitt trigger (inverter) mode – the 555 operates as a Schmitt trigger inverter gate which
converts a noisy input into a clean digital output.

Astable

Schematic of a 555 timer in astable mode

Waveform in astable mode

Astable mode examples with common values

Frequency C R1 R2 Duty cycle

0.1 Hz (+0.048%) 100 µF 8.2 kΩ 68 kΩ 52.8%

1 Hz (+0.048%) 10 µF 8.2 kΩ 68 kΩ 52.8%

10 Hz (+0.048%) 1 µF 8.2 kΩ 68 kΩ 52.8%

100 Hz (+0.048%) 100 nF 8.2 kΩ 68 kΩ 52.8%

1 kHz (+0.048%) 10 nF 8.2 kΩ 68 kΩ 52.8%

10 kHz (+0.048%) 1 nF 8.2 kΩ 68 kΩ 52.8%

100 kHz (+0.048%) 100 pF 8.2 kΩ 68 kΩ 52.8%

In the astable configuration, the 555 timer puts out a continuous stream of rectangular pulses
having a specific frequency. The astable configuration is implemented using two resistors,
and , and one capacitor . In this configuration, the control pin is not used, thus it is
connected to ground through a 10 nF decoupling capacitor to shunt electrical noise. The
threshold and trigger pins are connected to the capacitor ; thus they have the same voltage.

Initially, the capacitor is not charged, thus the trigger pin receives zero voltage, which is less
than 1⁄3 of the supply voltage. Consequently, the trigger pin causes the output to go high and the
internal discharge transistor to go to cut-off mode. Since the discharge pin is no longer short-
circuited to ground, the current flows through the resistors and to the capacitor, charging
it. The capacitor starts charging until the voltage becomes 2⁄3 of the supply voltage.
At that time, the threshold pin causes the output to go low and the internal discharge transistor
to go into saturation mode. Consequently, the capacitor starts discharging through until it
becomes less than 1⁄3 of the supply voltage, at which point the trigger pin causes the output to
go high and the internal discharge transistor to go to cut-off mode once again. And the cycle
repeats.

During the first pulse, the capacitor charges from zero to 2⁄3 of the supply voltage, however, in
later pulses, it only charges from 1⁄3 to 2⁄3 of the supply voltage. Consequently, the first pulse
has a longer high time interval compared to later pulses. Moreover, the capacitor charges
through both resistors but only discharges through , thus the output high interval is longer
than the low interval. This is shown in the following equations:

The output high time interval of each pulse is given by:

The output low time interval of each pulse is given by:

Hence, the frequency of the pulse is given by:[25]

and the duty cycle (%) is given by:

where is the time in seconds, is the resistance in ohms, is the capacitance in farads, and
is the natural logarithm of 2 (a constant which is 0.693147 when rounded to 6 significant
digits), but it is commonly approximated with fewer digits in 555 timer books and datasheets,
such as 0.7, 0.69, or 0.693.
Schematic of a 555 timer in astable mode with a 1N4148 diode to create a duty cycles less than 50%

Resistor requirements:

power capability of must be greater than , per Ohm's law.

Particularly with bipolar 555s, low values of must be avoided, so that the output stays
saturated near zero volts during discharge, as assumed by the above equation. Otherwise, the
output low time will be greater than calculated above.

The first cycle will take appreciably longer than the calculated time, as the capacitor must
initially charge from 0 V to 2⁄3 of VCC from power-up, but only from 1⁄3 of VCC to 2⁄3 of VCC on
subsequent cycles.

Shorter duty cycle

To create an output high time shorter than the low time (i.e., a duty cycle less than 50%) a fast
diode (i.e. 1N4148 signal diode) can be placed in parallel with R2, with the cathode on the
capacitor side. This bypasses R2 during the high part of the cycle, so that the high interval
depends only on R1 and C, with an adjustment based the voltage drop across the diode. The
voltage drop across the diode slows charging on the capacitor, so that the high time is longer
than the expected and often-cited ln(2)⋅R1C = 0.693 R1C. The low time will be the same as above,
0.693  R2C. With the bypass diode, the high time is:
where Vdiode is when the diode's "on" current is 1⁄2 of VCC/R1, which can be determined from its
datasheet or by testing. As an extreme example, when VCC = 5 V, and Vdiode = 0.7 V, high time is
1.00 R1C, which is 45% longer than the "expected" 0.693 R1C. At the other extreme, when Vcc =
15 V, and Vdiode = 0.3 V, the high time is 0.725 R1C, which is closer to the expected 0.693 R1C.
The equation reduces to the expected 0.693 R1C if Vdiode = 0 V.

Monostable

Schematic of a 555 in monostable mode. Example values R = 220 kΩ, C = 100 nF for debouncing a pushbutton.

Waveform in monostable mode

In monostable mode, the output pulse ends when the voltage on the capacitor equals 2⁄3 of the
supply voltage. The output pulse width can be lengthened or shortened to the need of the
specific application by adjusting the values of R and C.[26]

The output pulse is of width t, which is the time it takes to charge C to 2⁄3 of the supply voltage.
It is given by:

where is the time in seconds, is the resistance in ohms, is the capacitance in farads,
is the natural log of 3 constant, which is 1.098612 (rounded to 6 significant digits), but it is
commonly rounded to fewer digits in 555 timer books and datasheets, like 1.1 or 1.099.

While using the timer IC in monostable mode, the time span between any two triggering pulses
must be greater than the RC time constant.[27]

Examples
Monostable mode examples with common values
Time C R

100 µs (−0.026%) 1 nF 91 kΩ

1 ms (−0.026%) 10 nF 91 kΩ

10 ms (−0.026%) 100 nF 91 kΩ

100 ms (−0.026%) 1 µF 91 kΩ

1 s (−0.026%) 10 µF 91 kΩ

10 s (−0.026%) 100 µF 91 kΩ

Using the algebraic timing formula (above) and component values from the example table
(right), time is calculated as follows:

when R is 91 kΩ and C is 100 nF

is converted into the expected units: is natural log of 3, is resistance in ohms, is

capacitance in farads,
is multiplied together

seconds, which is approximately 10 ms (−0.026%)

Using algebraic math, component values can be scaled by powers of 10 to get the same timing:

10 ms (−0.026%) = 10 nF and 910 kΩ

10 ms (−0.026%) = 100 nF and 91 kΩ : (values from table)

10 ms (−0.026%) = 1000 nF and 9.1 kΩ : (1000 nF is 1 µF)

For each row in the example table (right), two additional timing values can easily be created by
adding a second resistor in parallel or series. In parallel, the new timing is half the table time. In
series, the new timing is double the table time.

5 ms (−0.026%) = 100 nF and 45.5 kΩ : (two 91 kΩ resistors in parallel)

10 ms (−0.026%) = 100 nF and 91 kΩ : (values from table)

20 ms (−0.026%)= 100 nF and 182 kΩ : (two 91 kΩ resistors in series)

Bistable

Schematic of a 555 in bistable flip-flop mode. High-value pull-up resistors should be added to the two inputs.
Inverted SR flip-flop symbol (without /Q) is similar to circuit on right

In bistable mode, the 555 timer acts as an SR flip-flop. The trigger and reset inputs are held high
via pull-up resistors while the threshold input is grounded. Thus configured, pulling the trigger
momentarily to ground acts as a "set" and transitions the output pin to VCC (high state). Pulling
the reset input to ground acts as a "reset" and transitions the output pin to ground (low state).
No timing capacitors are required in a bistable configuration. The discharge pin is left
unconnected or may be used as an open-collector output.[28]

Schmitt trigger

Schematic of a 555 in bistable Schmitt trigger mode. Example values R1 and R2 = 100 kΩ, C = 10 nF.
Schmitt trigger inverter gate (lower symbol) is similar to circuit on right

A 555 timer can be used to create a Schmitt trigger inverter gate which converts a noisy input
into a clean digital output. The input signal should be connected through a series capacitor,
which then connects to the trigger and threshold pins. A resistor divider, from VCC to GND, is
connected to the previous tied pins. The reset pin is tied to VCC.

Packages

Texas Instruments NE555 in DIP-8 and SO-8 packages[1]

In 1972, Signetics originally released the 555 timer in DIP-8 and TO5-8 metal can packages, and
the 556 timer was released in a DIP-14 package.[4]

In 2006, the dual 556 timer was available in through-hole packages as DIP-14 (2.54 mm
pitch),[21] and surface-mount packages as SO-14 (1.27 mm pitch) and SSOP-14 (0.65 mm pitch).
In 2012, the 555 was available in through-hole packages as DIP-8 (2.54 mm pitch),[29] and
surface-mount packages as SO-8 (1.27 mm pitch), SSOP-8 / TSSOP-8 / VSSOP-8 (0.65 mm
pitch), BGA (0.5 mm pitch).[1]

The MIC1555 is a CMOS 555-type timer with three fewer pins available in SOT23-5 (0.95 mm
pitch) surface-mount package.[30]

Specifications

555 timer circuit in a solderless breadboard

These specifications apply to the original bipolar NE555. Other 555 timers can have different
specifications depending on the grade (industrial, military, medical, etc.).

Part number NE555

IC Process Bipolar

Supply voltage (VCC) 4.5 to 16 V

Supply current (VCC = +5 V) 3 to 6 mA

Supply current (VCC = +15 V) 10 to 15 mA

Output current (maximum) 200 mA

Maximum Power dissipation 600 mW

30 mW @ 5 V,

Power consumption (minimum operating)

225 mW @ 15 V

Operating temperature 0 to 70 °C

Derivatives
Derivatives

Numerous companies have manufactured one or more variants of the 555, 556, 558 timers over
the past decades, under many different part numbers. The following is a partial list:
 Supply
Supply
Iq (μA)
Frequen
Part
Production
IC
Timers

Manufacturer min. max. at 5 V

max.
number status process total
(volt) (volt) supply
(MHz)

Custom Silicon
CSS555 Active CMOS 1 1.2 5.5 4.3 1.0
Solutions (CSS)

Diodes Inc ZSCT1555 Discontinued Bipolar 1 0.9 6 150 0.33

Japan Radio
NJM555 Discontinued Bipolar 1 4.5 16 3000 0.1*
Company (JRC)

Microchip MIC1555 Active CMOS 1* 2.7 18 240 5.0*

ON MC1455 Active Bipolar 1 4.5 16 3000 0.1*

Renesas ICM7555 Active CMOS 1 2 18 40 1.0

Renesas ICM7556 Active CMOS 2 2 18 80 1.0

Signetics NE555 Active (TI) Bipolar 1 4.5 16 3000 0.1*

Signetics NE556 Active (TI) Bipolar 2 4.5 16 6000 0.1*

Signetics NE558 Discontinued Bipolar 4* 4.5 16 4800* 0.1*

STMicroelectronics
TS555 Active CMOS 1 2 16 110 2.7
(ST)

Texas Instruments LM555 Active Bipolar 1 4.5 16 3000 0.1

 (TI)

Texas Instruments LM556 Discontinued Bipolar 2 4.5 16 6000 0.1

Texas Instruments LMC555 Active CMOS 1 1.5 15 100 3.0

Texas Instruments NE555 Active Bipolar 1 4.5 16 3000 0.1*

Texas Instruments NE556 Active Bipolar 2 4.5 16 6000 0.1*

Texas Instruments TLC551 Active CMOS 1 1 15 170 1.8

Texas Instruments TLC552 Active CMOS 2 1 15 340 1.8

Texas Instruments TLC555 Active CMOS 1 2 15 170 2.1

Texas Instruments TLC556 Active CMOS 2 2 15 340 2.1

X-REL XTR655 Active SOI 1 2.8 5.5 170 4.0

Table notes
All information in the above table was pulled from references in the datasheet column, except
where denoted below.

For the "Total timers" column, a "*" denotes parts that are missing 555 timer features.

For the "Iq" column, a 5-volt supply was chosen as a common voltage to make it easier to
compare. The value for Signetics NE558 is an estimate because NE558 datasheets don't state
Iq at 5 V.[2] The value listed in this table was estimated by comparing the 5 V to 15 V ratio of
other bipolar datasheets, then derating the 15 V parameter for the NE558 part, which is
denoted by the "*".

For the "Frequency max." column, a "*" denotes values that may not be the actual maximum
frequency limit of the part. The MIC1555 datasheet discusses limitations from 1 to 5 MHz.[30]
Though most bipolar timers don't state the maximum frequency in their datasheets, they all
have a maximum frequency limitation of hundreds of kHz across their full temperature range.
Section 8.1 of the Texas Instruments NE555 datasheet[1] states a value of 100 kHz, and their
website shows a value of 100 kHz in timer comparison tables. Signetics App Note 170 states
 that most devices will oscillate up to 1 MHz; however, when considering temperature stability,
it should be limited to about 500 kHz.[2] The application note from HFO mentions that at
higher supply voltages the maximum power dissipation of the circuit might limit the operating
frequency, as the supply current increases with frequency.[42]

For the "Manufacturer" column, the following associates historical 555 timer manufacturers to
current company names.
Fairchild Semiconductor was sold to ON Semiconductor in 2016.[43] ON Semiconductor
was founded in 1999 as a spinoff of Motorola Semiconductor Components Group.[44] The
MC1455 started as a Motorola product.

Intersil was sold to Renesas Electronics in 2017.[45] The ICM7555 and ICM7556 started
as Intersil products.

Micrel was sold to Microchip Technology in 2015.[46] The MIC1555 started as a Micrel
product.

National Semiconductor was sold to Texas Instruments in 2011.[47] The LM555 and
LM556 started as a National Semiconductor products.

Signetics was sold to Philips Semiconductor in 1975, later to NXP Semiconductors in

2006.[48]

Zetex Semiconductors was sold to Diodes Incorporated in 2008.[49] The ZSCT1555

started as a Zetex product.[50]

556 dual timer

Die of a NE556 dual timer manufactured by STMicroelectronics

Pinout of 556 dual timer[21][16]

The dual version is called 556. It features two complete 555 timers in a 14-pin package; only the
two power-supply pins are shared between the two timers.[21][16] In 2020, the bipolar version was
available as the NE556,[21] and the CMOS versions were available as the Intersil ICM7556 and
Texas Instruments TLC556 and TLC552. See derivatives table in this article.[17][40][39]

558 quad timer

Die of a NE558 quad timer manufactured by Signetics

Pinout of 558 quad timer[2]

558 internal block diagram. It is different from 555 and 556 timers.[2]

The quad version is called 558 and has four reduced-functionality timers in a 16-pin package
designed primarily for "monostable multivibrator" applications.[51][2] By 2014, many versions of
16-pin NE558 have become obsolete.[52]

Partial list of differences between 558 and 555 chips:[2][52]

One VCC and one GND, similar to 556 chip.

Four "Reset" are tied together internally to one external pin (558).

Four "Control Voltage" are tied together internally to one external pin (558).
 Four "Triggers" are falling-edge sensitive (558), instead of level sensitive (555).

Two resistors in the voltage divider (558), instead of three resistors (555).

One comparator (558), instead of two comparators (555).

Four "Output" are open-collector (O.C.) type (558), instead of push–pull (P.P.) type (555).

See also

RC circuit

Counter (digital)

Operational amplifier

List of LM-series integrated circuits

List of linear integrated circuits

4000-series integrated circuits, List of 4000-series integrated circuits

7400-series integrated circuits, List of 7400-series integrated circuits

Push–pull output, Open-collector/drain output, Three-state output

References

1. "NE555 Datasheet" (http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/ne555.pdf) (PDF). Texas Instruments. September

2014. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20170628232239/http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/ne55
5.pdf) (PDF) from the original on June 28, 2017.

2. "Linear LSI Data and Applications Manual" (https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_signeticsdcsLinearLSI_6

6682786) . Signetics. 1985.

3. Fuller, Brian (15 August 2012). "Hans Camenzind, 555 timer inventor, dies" (http://www.eetimes.com/doc
ument.asp?doc_id=1262353) . EE Times. Retrieved 27 December 2016.

4. "Linear Vol1 Databook" (https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_signeticsdcsLinearVol1_11470058) .

Signetics. 1972.

5. Lowe, Doug (2017-02-06). Electronics All-in-One For Dummies (https://books.google.com/books?id=Ivn-D

QAAQBAJ&pg=PA339) . Wiley. p. 339. ISBN 978-1-119-32079-1. "The 555 timer chip, developed in 1970,
is probably the most popular integrated cirucit ever made. By some estimates, more than a billion of
them are manufactured every year."
 三宅, 和司. "タイマIC 555 誕生秘話" [The birth of the 555 timer
6. Carmenzind, Hans (2010). Translated by
IC]. トランジスタ技術 (Transistor Technology) (in Japanese). CQ出版. 47 (12): 73, 74. ISSN 0040-9413
(https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0040-9413) .

7. Santo, Brian (May 2009). "25 Microchips That Shook the World" (https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-history/si
licon-revolution/25-microchips-that-shook-the-world) . IEEE Spectrum. 46 (5): 34–43.
doi:10.1109/MSPEC.2009.4907384 (https://doi.org/10.1109%2FMSPEC.2009.4907384) .
S2CID 20539726 (https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:20539726) .

8. Ward, Jack (2004). "The 555 Timer IC – An Interview with Hans Camenzind" (http://www.semiconductor
museum.com/Transistors/LectureHall/Camenzind/Camenzind_Index.htm) . The Semiconductor
Museum. Retrieved 2010-04-05.

9. Scherz, Paul; Monk, Simon (2016). Practical Electronics for Inventors (https://books.google.com/books?i
d=lhSCCwAAQBAJ) (4th ed.). McGraw Hill. p. 687. ISBN 978-1-259-58755-9. "The 555 gets its name
from the three 5-kW +VCC R1 discharging path 555 R 2 C 6 resistors shown in the block diagram. These
resistors act as a three-step voltage."

10. Kleitz, William (1990). Digital electronics : a practical approach (2nd ed.). Prentice Hall. p. 401. ISBN 0-13-
211657-X. OCLC 20218185 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/20218185) . "The 555 got its name from the
three 5-kOhm resistors"

11. Simpson, Colin D. (1996). Industrial electronics. Prentice Hall. p. 357. ISBN 0-02-410622-4.
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name 555 is derived"

12. GoldStein, Harry (March 3, 2003). "The Irresistible Transistor" (https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-history/silic

on-revolution/the-irresistible-transistor) . IEEE Spectrum. 40 (3): 42–47.
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14. van Roon 2007, Fig 3 & related text

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22. Jung, Walt (1977). IC Timer Cookbook (1 ed.). Sams Publishing. ISBN 978-0672219320.

23. Lancaster, Don (1974). TTL Cookbook. Sams. ISBN 978-0672210358.

24. Carr, Joseph (1996-12-19). Linear IC Applications: A Designer's Handbook (https://books.google.com/bo

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0-7506-3370-3.

25. van Roon 2007, Astable operation

26. van Roon 2007, Monostable Mode (Using the 555 timers as a logic clock).

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2015. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20170629043122/http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm55
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28. Buiting, Jan (2003). 308 Circuits (https://books.google.com/books?id=rZDbnQ0siCYC&q=555+pin+7+%2

2open+collector%22&pg=PA84) . Elektor International Media. ISBN 978-0-905705-66-8.

29. "NJM555 Datasheet" (https://web.archive.org/web/20170629170934/http://www.njr.com/semicon/PDF/

NJM555_E.pdf) (PDF). Japan Radio Company. November 2012. Archived from the original (http://www.
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30. "MIC1555 Datasheet" (http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/20005730A.pdf) (PDF).

Microchip Technology. March 2017. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210421210319/http://ww
1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/20005730A.pdf) (PDF) from the original on April 21, 2021.
31. "CSS555 Datasheet" (http://www.customsiliconsolutions.com/downloads/Revised%20Standard%20prod
ucts/CSS555_Spec_2.pdf) (PDF). Custom Silicon Solutions. July 2012. Archived (https://web.archive.or
g/web/20170629194001/http://www.customsiliconsolutions.com/downloads/Revised%20Standard%20
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32. "CSS555 Part Search" (https://www.jameco.com/shop/StoreCatalogDrillDownView?langId=-1&storeId=10

001&catalogId=10001&freeText=css555&search_type=jamecoall) . Jameco Electronics.

33. Senft, James (February 2016). "The Remarkable CSS555" (https://www.nutsvolts.com/magazine/article/f

ebruary2016_CSS555TimerICs) . Nuts & Volts Magazine. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20200
527061138/https://www.nutsvolts.com/magazine/article/february2016_CSS555TimerICs) from the
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Incorporated. July 2006. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20170629181234/https://www.diodes.c
om/assets/Datasheets/ZSCT1555.pdf) (PDF) from the original on June 29, 2017.

35. "MC1455 Datasheet" (https://www.onsemi.com/pub/Collateral/MC1455-D.PDF) (PDF). ON

Semiconductor. December 2009. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20200522114538/https://www.
onsemi.com/pub/Collateral/MC1455-D.PDF) (PDF) from the original on May 22, 2020.

36. "Analog Applications Manual" (https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_signeticsdcsAnalogApplications_334

15016) . Signetics. 1979.

37. "TS555 Datasheet" (https://www.st.com/resource/en/datasheet/ts555.pdf) (PDF). STMicroelectronics.

June 2015. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20200526095316/https://www.st.com/content/ccc/r
esource/technical/document/datasheet/45/d5/c6/11/46/d3/4b/a3/CD00000893.pdf/files/CD00000893.
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556.pdf) (PDF). Texas Instruments. October 2015. Archived from the original (http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/
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1988. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20170629111022/http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tlc55
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40. "TLC556 Datasheet" (http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tlc556.pdf) (PDF). Texas Instruments.

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41. "XTR655 Datasheet" (http://www.x-relsemi.com/EN/Documentation/Datasheet/DS-00100-11-XTR650-HI

GH-TEMPERATURE%20VERSATILE%20TIMER.pdf) (PDF). X-REL Semiconductor. September 2013.
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50. Camenzind, H.R. (September 1997). "Redesigning the old 555 [timer circuit]". IEEE Spectrum. 34 (9): 80–
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Electronic Components. Vol. 2. Maker Media. ISBN 978-1-4493-3414-7.

Further reading

Books
Berlin, Howard (2008). 555 Timer Applications Sourcebook With Experiments (2nd ed.). BPB.
ISBN 978-8176567909. (1978) (1st ed.) (https://archive.org/details/555timerapplicat0000ber
l/)

Marston, R.M. (1990). Timer/Generator Circuits Manual. Newnes. ISBN 978-0434912919.

Mims, Forrest (1989). Engineer's Mini-Notebook – 555 Timer IC Circuits (3rd ed.). Radio Shack.
ASIN B000MN54A6 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MN54A6) . (1984) (1st ed.) (https://a
rchive.org/download/Forrest_Mims-engineers_mini-notebook_555_timer_circuits_radio_shack
_electronics/Forrest%20Mims-engineer's%20mini-notebook%20555%20timer%20circuits%20(r
adio%20shack%20electronics).pdf)

Jung, Walt (1983). IC Timer Cookbook (2nd ed.). Sams. ISBN 978-0672219320. (1977) (1st ed.)
(https://web.archive.org/web/20170713174329/http://chiclassiccomp.org/docs/content/books/
ICTimerCookbook1stEd1977_WalterGJung.pdf)

Gilder, Jules (1979). 110 IC Timer Projects. Hayden. ISBN 978-0810456884.

Parr, E.A. (1978). IC 555 Projects. Bernard Babani. ISBN 978-0859340472.

Books with timer chapters
Kuphaldt, Tony (2010). "§6.7 555 audio oscillator, §6.8 555 ramp generator, Ch. 8 555 Timer
Circuits" (http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/Exper/EXP_6.html#xtocid103646) .
Experiments (http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/Exper/index.html) . Lessons in
Electric Circuits. Vol. VI. Open Book Project. pp. 311–3, 314–6, 365–398.

Camenzind, Hans (2005). "11 Timers and Oscillators". Designing Analog Chips (https://web.arc
hive.org/web/20170612055924/http://www.designinganalogchips.com/_count/designinganal
ogchips.pdf) (PDF). Virtual Bookworm. ISBN 978-1589397187. Archived from the original (ht
 tp://www.designinganalogchips.com/_count/designinganalogchips.pdf) (PDF) on 2017-06-
12.
Mims, Forrest (2004). "Ch. 1". Timer, Op Amp, and Optoelectronic Circuits and Projects. Master.
ISBN 978-0945053293.

"Appnotes AN170/171 and Datasheets NE555/6/8". Linear LSI Data and Applications Manual (h
ttps://archive.org/download/bitsavers_signeticsdcsLinearLSI_66682786/1985_Signetics_Line
ar_LSI.pdf) (PDF). Signetics. 1985.

"Ch. 6". Analog Applications Manual (https://archive.org/download/bitsavers_signeticsdcsAnal

ogApplications_33415016/1979_Signetics_Analog_Applications.pdf) (PDF). Signetics. 1979.

Lancaster, Don (1974). "4. Gate and Timer Circuits". TTL Cookbook (https://web.archive.org/w
eb/20190311005416/https://www.tinaja.com/ebooks/TTLCB1.pdf) (PDF). Sams. pp. 171–
188. ISBN 978-0672210358. Archived from the original (https://www.tinaja.com/ebooks/TTLC
B1.pdf) (PDF) on 2019-03-11.
Datasheets
See links in "Derivatives" table and "References" section in this article.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 555 timer IC.

van Roon, Tony (2007). 555 Timer Tutorial (https://hobbydocbox.com/Radio/91884582-555-timer-tutorial-

by-tony-van-roon.html) . OCLC 843319106 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/843319106) .

Marston, Ray (October 2000). "Using the 555 Timer IC in Special or Unusual Circuits" (https://www.nutsvo
lts.com/magazine/article/using-the-555-timer-ic-in-special-or-unusual-circuits) . Nuts & Volts.

Shirriff, Ken (February 2016). "Teardown of a bipolar RCA LM555CH chip" (http://www.righto.com/2016/0
2/555-timer-teardown-inside-worlds-most.html) .

— (March 2016). "Teardown of a CMOS TI LMC555 chip" (http://www.righto.com/2016/04/teardown-of-c

mos-555-timer-chip-how.html) .

— (January 2022). "Silicon die teardown: a look inside an early 555 timer chip" (http://www.righto.com/20
22/01/silicon-die-teardown-look-inside-early.html) . "An 8-pin 555 timer with a Signetics logo. It doesn't
have a 555 label, but instead is labeled "52B 01003" with a 7304 date code, indicating week 4 of 1973."
Retrieved from
"https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?
title=555_timer_IC&oldid=1087292699"

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