Here we had compiled a list of the top 10 Electronics mini projects using IC 555 that would be cool, useful, and efficient to design in free time. Before listing the top ten electronics mini projects using IC 555 we would like to clear some points like operating voltage, temperature, applications, etc. of timer IC.
So, what is timer IC 555?
Timer IC 555 is a powerful timing circuit that is popular for the production of accurate and stable time delay or oscillation. It is much reliable, easy to use, and available in three different packages i.e. metal can package 8-pin DIP and 14-pin DIP. The timer IC 555 can only operate in two different modes i.e. monostable (one-shot) mode and astable (free-running) mode.
Electrical Parameter of Timer IC 555
| Operating Voltage | +5V to +18V DC |
| Operating Temperature | -550C to 1250C (SE model i.e. SE555)
00C to 700C (NE model i.e. NE555) |
| Temperature Stability | 0.005%/0C |
| Maximum Power Dissipation | 600 mW |
| Sourcing Load Current | 200 mA |
Application of Timer IC 555
Monostable and Astable multivibrator, DC to DC converters, Digital Logic Probe, waveform generators, frequency meter, measurement, and control system, voltage regulator, etc.
Now, let’s take a look at Top 10 Electronics mini projects using IC 555
Sound Activated 0-30 Minutes Timer Circuit
The project “Sound Activated 0-30 Minutes Timer Circuit” is a simple project designed using timer IC 555 and LM324 Quad op-amp IC. By using this project, one can activate or de-activate the appliance using sound, and the time delay can be adjusted from a few seconds to 30 minutes. The applications of the project are: Used as a sound-activated burglar alarm. Used as timer circuit in kitchen, house. used for appliance operation like refrigerator, TV, Rice-cooker, etc. by adjusting the time as per required.
This Project is available at Sound Activated 0-30 Minutes Timer Circuit
IC 555 Based Automatic evening lamp
The project “IC 555 based Automatic Evening Lamp” is simple and built around timer IC 555 and LDR. The bulb used in the circuit is turned on automatically in low light (evening) and turned off in the morning. Various other automatic night lamp circuit is already posted on betsengineeringprojects.com. Some are listed here, Automatic Night Lamp Circuit using TRIAC and SCR, Automatic night lamp using 7486 IC. The circuit posted here is a standalone automatic evening lamp; simply you have to connect to the mains supply and place where you want to use it.
This Project is available at IC 555 Based Automatic evening lamp
DIY Opto Reflector Sensor using 555
The DIY project posted here is of opto reflector sensor using NE555 and TCRT5000 module. These days opto reflector sensor is used in various project like proximity sensing, a position detector, robotics, etc. Thus, we had posted a DIY project with a working range of 2mm to 10mm. The module used here is TCRT5000 which has an infrared LED and a phototransistor fabricated internally. The main advantage of using this module is its high sensitivity and both analog and digital output.
This Project is available at DIY Opto Reflector Sensor using 555
Auto Cut Circuit for Over and Under Voltage
The project “Auto Cut Circuit for Over and Under Voltage” is designed to protect electrical and electronic devices from over and under voltage which ensures a long lifespan of this device. An “Auto Cut Circuit for Over and Under Voltage” has been presented here serving multiple purpose security; under-voltage protection, over-voltage protection, auto reset, auto cut off, and regulation.
This Project is available at Auto Cut Circuit for Over and Under Voltage
RJ45 Cable Tester Circuit
In the field of networking, RJ45 is the most common cable used. This cable consists of multiple wires clamped within a single plastic tube and in such a case, there is a high probability that the project implementing RJ45 will not work efficiently. Rather than isolating the entire circuit to check the fault, it is considered wiser to test the RJ45 cable which causes failure most of the time. And, here is the tester circuit which is used to test RJ45 cable either in straight-through or crossover-type.
This Project is available at RJ45 Cable Tester Circuit
Servo Motor Tester Circuit Using 555 IC
I believe testing circuits are a must for project geeks since these testers save so much time in debugging circuits. People invest all their efforts and spend so much time to complete one project but most of the time they don’t get the desired output. There can be multiple reasons behind this and generally, it is because the components like servo motors are at fault.
This Project is available at Servo Motor Tester Circuit Using 555 IC
DIY Hearing Aid Circuit using 555
The general circuit of Hearing Aid available over the internet used a normal transistorized circuit thus it consumes more power. So, here we are concentrated to design a circuit that consumes less power. For that, the circuit present here of DIY Hearing Aid Using 555 have an automatic triggering mode which consumes 96 mA at the time of amplifier trigger or you can say when sound is detected else it consumes only 6 mA which is very less. Other than less power consumption the circuit has an advantage like the user can select sensitivity as well as the amplifier’s on-time duration.
This Project is available at DIY Hearing Aid Circuit using 555
Fire Alarm Using Thermistor and NE555
If we search for fire alarm circuits on the internet, we can find a long list of such circuits. Most of those circuits are quite expensive and also the components may not be easily available. So, here we have presented a simple and inexpensive project of ‘fire alarm using thermistor’. Where thermistor is the main component and is used as temperature sensor of a fire alarm. Talking about the working principle of a thermistor, it works, in the same way, a normal LDR would work i.e. change resistance with a change in heat whereas LDR change resistance with a change in the amount of light falling on it.
This Project is available at Fire Alarm Using Thermistor and NE555
Automatic Plant Watering System Circuit
If you are one of those people who would like to spend their well-earned summer vacations in the comforts of a hill resort but are worried about your potted companions back home, then a plant watering system is what you need. This circuit immediately waters the plant once the soil turns dry. By adding timer circuits and other components, we can extend the flexibility of this project and make further improvements such that it operates automatically at a duration set by the timer.
This Project is available at Automatic Plant Watering System Circuit
High-Brightness LED Strobe Using IC 555
Here is another project which is useful in our daily life using the most popular IC NE555. The project high-brightness LED strobe uses an array of 36 high-brightness LEDs. The advantage of the project is it is small battery-powered and very efficient. A variable resistor on the side allows the frequencies of the flashing to be varied.
This Project is available at High-Brightness LED Strobe Using IC 555