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PWM waveforms are commonly used to control the speed of DC motors. The mark/space ratio of the digital wave-form can be defined either by using an adjustable analogue voltage level (in the case of a NE555 based PWM generator) or digitally using binary values. Digitally derived PWM waveforms are most often produced by the timer/counter modules in microcontrollers but if you do not want to include a microcontroller in your circuit it’s also quite simple to generate the signals using discrete logic components.... [read more]

Due to the low current drawing, the circuit can be supplied from 230Vac mains without a transformer. Supply voltage is reduced to 12Vdc by means of C1 reactance, a two diode rectifier cell D1 & D2 and Zener diode D3. IC1A, IC1B, R2, R3 and C3 form a reliable bounce-free toggle switch operated by P1. R4 and C4, wired to pin #6 of IC1B reset the circuit (lamp off) when power supply is applied. IC1C and IC1D wired in parallel act as a buffer, driving the Gate of the Triac through R5.... [read more]

Here is a simple triangle/squarewave generator using a common 1458 dual op-amp that can be used from very low frequencies to about 10 Khz. The time interval for one half cycle is about R*C and the outputs will supply about 10 milliamps of current. Triangle amplitude can be altered by adjusting the 47K resistor, and waveform offset can be removed by adding a capacitor in series with the output.... [read more]

This circuit features automatic Exit/Entry delays, timed Bell Cut-off and System Reset. It will accommodate the usual normally-closed input devices (Magnetic Reed contacts, Micro Switches, Foil Tape and PIRs). And - with a simple modification - a normally-open trigger may be added.... [read more]

The circuit below is designed to be used with the bi-directional lamp sequencer shown above on this same page. Two additional transistors are used to increase the current from the 74HCT138 decoder to control 12 volt 25 watt lamps. A 6.8 volt/1 watt zener diode is used in series with the ground connection of all the CMOS ICs (74HC14, CD4516 and 74HC138s) so that the total voltage across the CMOS devices will be about 5.2 volts and the outputs will move from +12 to about +7 when selected.... [read more]

The IR detector (IC3) controls an LM 7555 CMOS timer (IC2) which operates in mono stable mode. When the beam is broken, IC2 is triggered and its pin 3 output goes high for about half a second. This extinguishes LED1 and turns on transistor Q1 to drive a 5V low-power relay.... [read more]