A stroboscope is an instrument that is used to view the object which is moving rapidly with a periodic motion as if they are at rest. The strobe light flashes at a frequency that synchronizes with the resolution of a wheel or moving object which seems to be at a still position. The strobe light circuit using 555 IC utilizes a neon lamp because their light is dim to detect the fault, for good illumination a 9-inch tube light is used.
PARTS LIST OF STROBE LIGHT CIRCUIT USING 555 IC
Resistors (all ½ -watt, ± 5% Carbon)
R1, R3 = 10 KΩ
R2 = 4.7 KΩ
R4 = 6.8 KΩ
R5 = 270 Ω
VR1, VR2 = 100KΩ (POT.)
Capacitors:
C1 = 10 µF/25V (Electrolytic Capacitor)
C2, C9 = 1 µF/25V (Electrolytic Capacitor)
C3, C8 = 0.1 µF (Ceramic Disc)
C4 – C7, C10 = 0.01 µF (Ceramic Disc)
Semiconductors:
IC1, IC2 = NE555 (Timer IC)
T1 = 2N3055 (silicon power transistor)
Miscellaneous:
X1 = 220V AC primary to 0-6V, 500mA secondary transformer used in reversed mode.
SW1 = Single pole 4-way switch
SW2 = Single pole 3-way switch
9-inch fluorescent tube.
Description of Strobe Light Circuit using 555 IC
The circuit of strobe light is shown in figure 1, consisting most popular and easily available timer IC NE555 (IC1, and IC2). Timer IC 555 (IC1) is wired as an astable multivibrator (pulse generator) whose frequency can be varied over the 1:10 range through variable resistor VR1. Rotary switch SW1 is used to select the range with proper adjustment. This astable multivibrator mode configured here can generate a 1.2 Hz to 12 kHz frequency.
The output of IC1 from pin 3 is given to pin 2 (trigger pin) of IC2 through coupling capacitor C6. The timer IC2 is wired as a monostable multivibrator (timer circuit) whose output pulse width can be varied from 100 µs to 100 ms with the help of variable resistor VR2. Rotary switch SW2 is used to select the range of time.
The output of IC2 from pin 3 is given to the base of transistor power transistor 2N3055 (T1) through current limiting resistor R5. The output of the transistor is connected to a secondary winding of the transformer (X1). The transformer X1 (6V-0V secondary) is used in reverse mode (i.e. step up mode). The 6V terminal is connected to a 12V DC supply and 0V to an output of the transistor as shown in the circuit diagram of strobe light (figure 1).
Oscillating current is generated in 6 volts winding as per our adjustment and stepped up to light the tube light. The tube light is focused on tatting the table fan blade and the frequency and pulse width are adjusted so that both are synchronized. This happens when the fan blades seem to be standstill.
Note: If anyone wants to use bigger tube light, a suitable driver stage and inverter transformer is essential.
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