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ICL7555 / ICM7555 CMOS Timer IC — DIP-8, 2–18V, 60μA, 555 Pin-Compatible (5-Pack)
ICL7555 / ICM7555 CMOS Timer IC DIP-8, 2–18V, 60μA, 555 Pin-Compatible (5-Pack)
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ICL7555 / ICM7555 CMOS Timer IC — DIP-8, 2–18V, 60μA, NE555 Pin-Compatible (5-Pack)
The ICL7555 and ICM7555 are CMOS versions of the classic NE555 timer IC, offering dramatically lower power consumption (60μA quiescent vs 3mA for NE555) while maintaining full pin and functional compatibility. Operating from 2V to 18V, they are ideal for battery-powered oscillator, timer, and PWM circuits where the NE555’s high quiescent current would drain batteries too quickly. The CMOS output swings rail-to-rail, providing cleaner logic levels than the bipolar NE555.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Package | DIP-8 (through-hole) |
| Supply Voltage | 2V – 18V |
| Quiescent Current | 60μA typ. (vs 3mA for NE555) |
| Output Current | 10mA source/sink (vs 200mA for NE555) |
| Output Swing | Rail-to-rail (CMOS) |
| Max Oscillation Frequency | ~500kHz |
| Timing Accuracy | ±1% (with stable R/C) |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
| Quantity | 5 pieces |
ICL7555 / ICM7555 vs NE555 — CMOS vs Bipolar
| Feature | ICL7555 / ICM7555 (CMOS) | NE555 (Bipolar) |
|---|---|---|
| Supply Voltage | 2–18V | 4.5–15V |
| Quiescent Current | 60μA (50× lower) | 3mA |
| Output Current | 10mA | 200mA |
| Output Swing | Rail-to-rail | ~1.5V from rail |
| Timing Accuracy | Better (lower input bias) | Standard |
| Best For | Battery-powered, low-power circuits | High-current output, LED/relay drive |
Why Choose ICL7555 / ICM7555?
- 60μA quiescent current — 50× lower than NE555, extends battery life dramatically in always-on timer circuits
- 2V minimum supply — works from a single AA battery (1.5V with boost) or two AA batteries (3V)
- Rail-to-rail output — cleaner logic levels for interfacing with CMOS logic and microcontrollers
- Pin-compatible with NE555 — direct drop-in replacement, same circuit topology
- 5-pack value — sufficient for multiple low-power timer builds
Compatible With / Common Use Cases
- Battery-powered oscillator: Astable mode from 2×AA (3V) for LED blinker, tone generator — months of battery life vs hours with NE555
- Sleep timer circuit: Monostable mode to wake up a microcontroller periodically from deep sleep
- Low-power PWM: Astable mode for motor speed control or LED dimming in battery devices
- Sensor trigger: Monostable one-shot pulse generator for debounce or delay circuits
- 3.3V logic compatible: Rail-to-rail output at 3.3V supply directly drives ESP32/STM32 GPIO inputs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can ICL7555 directly replace NE555 in an existing circuit?
A: Yes — ICL7555 is pin-compatible with NE555. However, note the lower output current (10mA vs 200mA). If your NE555 circuit drives an LED, relay, or buzzer directly from the output pin, the ICL7555 may not provide enough current. Add a transistor buffer (BC547) if more than 10mA output current is needed.
Q: What is the minimum supply voltage for ICL7555?
A: ICL7555 operates from 2V minimum. At 2V, timing accuracy and output drive are reduced. For reliable operation, use ≥3V (2×AA batteries or single Li-ion). At 3.3V or 5V, performance is fully specified.
Q: How much longer does a battery last with ICL7555 vs NE555 in an astable circuit?
A: In a simple astable oscillator with no load: NE555 draws ~3mA quiescent + output current. ICL7555 draws ~60μA quiescent. On a 2000mAh AA battery pair: NE555 lasts ~27 days; ICL7555 lasts ~3.8 years (quiescent only). With a 1mA LED load, ICL7555 still lasts ~2 years vs NE555’s ~20 days.
Package Contents
- 5× ICL7555 / ICM7555 CMOS Timer IC (DIP-8)
