How to Increase the Power of a 555 Timer Circuit

You can make a 555 timer control large loads by adding a power transistor.

The 555 integrated circuit (IC) timer has been widely used in electronics for decades. Its small 8-pin package means, however, that its power is limited to driving small loads, like light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and logic chips. If your project requires a timer with more power than the 555 can deliver by itself, by simply adding a transistor and resistor to a timer circuit you've already built you can drive loads limited only by the transistor's power rating.

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2N3055 NPN transistor
1K Ohm resistor
18 gauge stranded wire
Wire strippers
Eye lug crimp connector for 18 gauge wire
Crimping tool or pliers
#6 short screw, washer, nut
15 to 30 Watt pencil soldering iron
Electronics solder

Instructions

- 1
  
  Ensure that the power to your 555 timer is turned off.
- 2
  
  Solder the output pin (pin 3) of the 555 timer IC to the 1K ohm resistor. Solder the free lead of the 1K Ohm resistor to the 2N3055 NPN transistor's base pin. Solder the NPN transistor's emitter pin to pin 1 of the 555 timer.
- 3
  
  Cut a piece of the 18 gauge stranded wire to a length suitable to reach from the transistor to the device you wish to drive with the timer circuit. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from each end of the wire. Twist one end of the wire, insert the eye lug crimp connector onto the wire and crimp the connector. Firmly fasten the crimp connector to the NPN transistor's case with the #6 screw, washer and nut.
- 4
  
  Connect the free end of the 18 gauge wire to the device you're driving. Connect the device to its positive power source.
- 5
  
  Double-check all connections. Turn the power on and test the circuit.

Tips & Warnings

The power for the device you're driving with the timer may have a different source than what you use to power the timer circuit. If this is true, make sure that the two supplies have a common grounding point.
If the device you're driving uses more than 15 Watts of power, use a heat sink on the NPN power transistor.

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Photo Credit electronics image by Stanisa Martinovic from Fotolia.com

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How to Increase the Power of a 555 Timer Circuit

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