TS555IN question (CMOS timer)

We have a remote signaling device that operates from a

3.2V battery source using a CMOS version of the timer..

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3.pdf

At random and I mean very random, the circuit may need a power cycle.

I was able to probe it while in a failed state and it appears that the chip could be latching? The only input that is exposed to what could be a possible issue is the threshold input.

I thought that if this is a latching issue that maybe it was losing the power source while moving around and the input was exceeding the Vdd? But that proved to be not the case.

I can't go into what this is used for other than it sits on a rotating mass powered via a cell pack and operates a tracking laser (small diode). etc.

Has anyone experience this chip performing the magical latching that some Fet entities have?

Jamie

Reply to
M Philbrook
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...Jim Thompson

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| James E.Thompson                                 |    mens     | 
| Analog Innovations                               |     et      | 
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Reply to
Jim Thompson

Can you post your complete circuit... at least around the TS555? If you're just dropping power (VDD), it could be that charge on the timing cap is causing the hang.

Try a Germanium or Schottky diode from threshold (anode) to VDD (cathode). ...Jim Thompson

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| James E.Thompson                                 |    mens     | 
| Analog Innovations                               |     et      | 
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Reply to
Jim Thompson

Could be classic CMOS parasitic SCR latchup. Do any of the pins connect or couple to the outside world, or to any spikey stuff? A small spike into a pin can trigger some CMOS devices.

If the data sheet doesn't specify a limit for ESD diode current, that usually means the chip is not hardened against latchup.

You could bench test one and see if it has latchup modes.

Reply to
John Larkin

Are you driving a transistor from the timer Output line? If the drain/collector voltage suddenly drops while the gate/base is at 0 volts, capacitive/diode coupling will send the voltage negative.

The transistors on pins 3 and 7 are driven from the same line. At the very least, pin 3 going out of range messes with pin 7. Some 555 varieties burn out too.

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Reply to
Kevin McMurtrie

I did and yes, it seems that it stops working, then I need to power cycle it. The threshold is expose to something on the outside but I do have a clamp on the line however, after more research, it could be the clamp isn't proper when the cell voltage start to drop over time.

I will take Jims T advice and put a diode on the threshold over to the Vdd,VSS and see what happens.

Thanks

Reply to
M Philbrook

Good point, we'll scope that line to see if any abnormals are there, I don't think I'll see any. The output drives a smt 2222 for a sink source to the following circuit.I do have a sink R at the base.

Jamie

Reply to
M Philbrook

Yes, good idea, Thanks

Jamie

Reply to
M Philbrook

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