Re:555 timer teardown: inside the world's most popular IC
by Animats on Saturday February 20, 2016 @01:24PM
(#11141190)
A 555 timer chip can deliver 200mA at the output, so it can drive small lamps and relays directly. The output load usually dwarfs the current used for timing. So, for most applications, a lower power version is pointless.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:555 timer teardown: inside the world's most popular IC
by ajnin on Saturday February 20, 2016 @03:05PM
(#11141680)
I doubt that most applications of the 555 are driving relays and lamps, it probably is mainly used to generate timing signals. But that's besides the point, the low power versions can function with low voltages, allowing to power the chip with a single 1.5V battery, which would be impossible with the standard version, so it's far from pointless.