Adjustable Timer Circuit Diagram with Relay Output

imers were used in many applications in our day to day life.One can see the timers in washing machines,micro
ovens etc. These devices uses timer to switch the loads for particular amount of time.Traditionally, various loads
would have been manually controlled, i.e., the operator would turn ON the loads and after desired conditions met,
the loads again would have been turned off by the operator.

Here i am going to explain different ways of building adjustable timer circuits. However, these methods are cost
ineffective.Three circuits are explained here are 1)Simple adjustable timer using 555 IC,2)A cyclic on/off timer
using 555 IC,3)Adjustable timer using arduino. (40+ Simple 555 Timer Circuits & Projects)

Simple Adjustable Timer Circuit with 555 IC

Using simple 555 timer we can design an adjustable timer switch. This circuit is flexible to adjust required time.

Circuit Diagram

Components

555 timer
Electrolytic capacitor 470 uf
ceramic capacitor 0.1nF
Resistors
o 120k ohm
o 10k ohm
Relay -12v
Push button

Working

Here 555 timer is operated in monostable mode.

When the trigger input is applied,555 timer produces a pulse. This pulse width depends on R and c values.
The above proposed circuit is a 1-10 minute timer.When Pot is minimum it gives 1 minute delay,where maximum
value of pot can produce 10 minutes.
o Time period can be calculated using formula

T=(R1+R2)*C1.seconds
 When Pot is maximum R is 120K+1.1M 1.2M (approximately) and C1=470uf

T= 1.2M*470uF = 620 seconds10 minutes.This is the maximum time.

For minimum time place the pot in least position.Then R= 120k

o Hence time T=120k*470uf=6 2 seconds~1 minute (approximately).
A 12v relay is used to drive the ac load connected at the output.
Thus relay will be on for required amount of time set by the user using pot and then it is switched of automatically.
This circuit is used in such applications where the load is switched on for sometime and is off for rest of the time.

Note

To prevent 555 timer from flyback current in the relay use a diode before the relay.
Some 555 versions may get damaged because of this.

[Also Read: 12V Time Delay Relay]

Adjustable ON OFF Timer(using 555 astable mode)

In this circuit a timer with cyclic on off operations is designed. This circuit uses very basic components like 555
timer and 4017 counter.

These on off intervals can be adjusted by varying the 555 timer output and number of counter outputs. Let us
discuss in detail about this circuit.

Circuit Diagram

Components

R1 and R2 47 K
R3 15K
VR1 1M
C1 100F
C2 0.01F
C3 0.1F
Diodes
555 Timer IC
CD4017 IC
BC 148 B Transistor
6 V/ 100 SPST Relay
Working

When the power supply is given ,555 timer produces square wave at pin 3 as it is in astable mode.
It gives a pulse width according to value of pot. It can be calculated as

T( high) =0.693*(R1+R2)*C 1

T(low) =0.693*R1*C1

This square wave is given to CD4017 IC decade counter which has 10 outputs activated sequentially upon a given
clock input.
The outputs of the decade counter drive the transistor into active mode so that relay coil will be energized. (Instead
of 6v relay one can use 12v relay also but relay should be applied with 12v instead of 6v.)
Here the length of ON-time of the load is a multiple of 555 timer period output and number of outputs used in
CD4017.
Suppose in this circuit 3 outputs of CD4017 are used.So,On time of load is 3 times of T (high) and off time is 9 times
of T(high).
Therefore, ON and OFF can be varied for desired duty cycles by appropriately connecting the pins of decade
counter.
It is also possible to add a sensor or switch at reset input of decade counter for automatic turning off the load in
emergency or needy (for an automatic operation) situations.

Application

Let us understand the application of this circuit. For example in air coolers,there is a pump that pumps water to the
mat.This need not be switched on continuously .
It can be ON until cooler mats are wet and then it can switched off.Again when they are dry it should pump the
water.
Suppose if there is adequate water in the tank, the pump must be turned off automatically.
This can be achieved by adding a level sensor such that this sensor input drives the reset and inhibit pins towards
the ground potential.
This circuit is used in such applications where cyclic operation is required.

If very long time delays are required it is not advisable to use 555 timer.Instead one can use a microcontroller. Here
is timer using arduino which is user friendly.