Description

This project is a crystal controlled precision timer providing accurate delays from 1 second to 15 hours 45 minutes.  The timer delay is set using a 10-way DIP switch.  The timer is started by pressing a switch on the main PCB or from an external switch connected via the terminal block connection.  A second switch and terminal block connection allow the timer delay to be cancelled. There are two LEDs on board, one provides indication of the timer delay active, and the other is a blinking 'heartbeat' LED to show the timer is running. The circuit provides a logic level timer output via a terminal block connection as well as the on-board relay for switching external loads.

Operation

• Timer Start and Clr diagrams
• DIP switch settings
• Re-trigger mode
• Cascading Precision Timers

The timer delay period is set using the 10-way DIP switch.  The DIP switch is used to select a time interval and multiplier to give the actual delay time.  As the length of the delay time increases the adjustment interval gets courser. The timed delay is started by a falling edge at the Start input and can be cancelled at any time by taking the Clr input low.  In re-trigger mode, the time delay can be restarted while the timer is active. Timed delay is started by a falling edge on the 'Start' input. This can be done in several ways: Press the S1 'start' switch on the board. By external switch connected between the 'Start' and 'Gnd' connection of the terminal block Logic level input at the terminal block The Timed delay can be cancelled at any time by taking the 'Clr' input low.  This can be done in several ways: Press the S2 'clr' switch on the board. By external switch connected between the 'Clrt' and 'Gnd' connection of the terminal block Low logic level input at the terminal block Examples below illustrate Precision Timer operation (examples use 5 second timer period) Timer delay triggered by falling edge at Start input While timer delay active, heartbeat LED blinks at 1Hz Active timer delay cancelled by Clr input going low Clr input low inhibits trigger of timer delay by Start falling edge. Setting time delay period using the DIP switch There are 8 range multipliers allowing the timer delay to be set from 1 second to 15 hours 45 minutes. Time delay ranges  1s  to  0h 00m 63s  5s  to  0h 03m 15s 15s  to  0h 15m 45s  1m  to  0h 63m 00s  2m  to  2h 06m 00s  5m  to  5h 15m 00s 10m  to 10h 30m 00s 15m  to 15h 45m 00s Download Switch settings PDF Time Delay Restart mode When the timer is running it can be set to re-trigger (restart) using DIP Switch 10. When re-trigger is enabled, a falling edge (Start button pressed) while the timer is running will reset the timer back to the start of the delay period.  For example, if the delay period is 45 minutes and the timer is re-triggered after 20 minutes, the time period will be 20 minutes + 45 minutes giving a total timed delay of 65 minutes.  The timer can be re-triggered at any time while it is active and it can be re-triggered multiple times. If the timer is set to Non-retriggerable, once the timed delay is active it cannot be retriggered and will time out when the preset delay period has elapsed. Retrigger mode Sw10 ON   - disabled Sw10 OFF  - enabled In the example the timer is restarted at 2 seconds, giving total period of 2s+5s = 7 seconds. Cascading Precision Timers Timers can be cascaded to produce a sequence of timed output delays.

Schematic

Circuit Description

The design is presented here as an evaluation circuit.  While fully functional, the circuit can be adapted for other applications.  For example, the output relay can be omitted and the logic signal from the PIC used to control other systems.  The start and clr switches could also be omitted and the timer triggered from a logic signal.  Also rather than using a DIP switch, if a specific delay is required the PIC i/o pins can be hard wired.

The circuit is based around IC1, a PIC16F628A microcontroller running the precision timer firmware.  A 10 way DIP switch sets the timer delay period.  Two switches are used to start the timer and if required cancel it during the timed period. A low-cost 32Khz watch crystal provides an accurate oscillator clock source for the timing delays.

When the timer is active, the on-board relay is turned on, a logic level output is also presented via a terminal block connection.  There are two LEDs, one providing indication that the timer output is on, and a second blinking 'heartbeat' LED to show the timer is running. 

Capacitors and Crystal

Capacitor C1 provides power supply decoupling.  It is important this is fitted as close to the power supply pins of IC1 as possible.  Ceramic capacitors come in either disc or multilayer type - multilayer ones are generally smaller but either type will work.

Capacitors C2 and C5 provide stabilisation of the power input to the board.

Capacitors C3 and C4 are load capacitors for the timing crystal.  Crystal XTAL1, is a 32768Hz watch crystal which provides a stable clock enabling precision delays from seconds to many hours.  If you don't use the PCB for this circuit ensure that the crystal and load capacitors are located as close to IC1 as possible.  Keep all other signals away from the crystal.  (have a look at the PCB layout note the ground plane and guard ring around the connections between the PIC and crystal)

Capacitors C6 and C7. These are optional.  If you are using an external switch via the terminal blocks you may need to fit these capacitors to prevent electrical noise from the connecting wires causing a false start or clearing of the timer.

Transistor Q1 and relay

Transistor Q1 is a BC548 although any small NPN transistor will work here.  BC546/547/548/549 all work.  Q1 is turned on by a high logic output from the PIC.  Resistor R1 and LED1 are connected in series with the base of Q1, allowing the base current to also turn the LED on. Resistor R2 ensures Q1 is turned off when the PIC output is low and LED1 is reverse biased. The 12 volt relay requires about 30-40mA to operate.  Diode D2 prevents back EMF from disrupting the circuit when the relay turns off - it is important to fit this with the relay. 

When the timer is running the 'heartbeat' LED blinks at 1Hz.  If you don't need this feature you can omit LED2 and R7 from the circuit.

DIP Switch S3 and Resistor networks RN1, RN2

S3 is a 10-way DIP switch.  It is used to set the delay period of the timer.  The inputs to the PIC microcontroller are pulled up by resistor networks RN1 and RN2.  When a DIP switch is set to the 'ON' position, the corresponding PIC input is pulled low.

The resistor networks are simply 5 x 10K resistors packaged together with a common connection at one end.  If you can't get hold the these you can just use 10K resistors mounted vertically, connect the free ends of the resistors together and then make one connection to the +5 volt supply. (see photo right)

Power Supply

The board requires a 12 volts DC supply to operate.  The board itself can operate with a supply from 9-18 volts DC, however with the relay fitted the input voltage must match the coil voltage of the relay.

The incoming supply is regulated to 5 volts by IC2, 78L05 linear regulator.  D1 protects the board from reverse polarity of the input supply.

 

PCB Artwork and Overlay

Download artwork in PDF

Download component overlay PDF

Component List

You can buy all the parts needed to build this project from most component suppliers world wide. In the UK you can get everything from Rapid Online and I've included a parts list with their part numbers below.

 

All Rapid parts/descriptions correct at 10 January 2013.  You should check part# and descriptions are correct when ordering in case I've made a mistake transferring them onto this page.

Component	Description	Part #
R1,3,4,7	PACK 100 270R 0.25W CF RESISTOR   (Order 1 pack only)	62-0356
R2,5,6	PACK 100 10K 0.25W CF RESISTOR  (Order 1 pack only)	62-0394
RN1,RN2	10K 2% 5-commoned resistor network (Order 2)	63-0300
C1 (C6,C7)	100N 2.5MM Y5V Dielect Ceramic Capacitor	08-0275
C2	100uF 25 v low imp Electrolytic capacitor	11-2922
C3,C4	15pF 2.5MM NPO Ceramic Capacitor	08-0895
C5	330nF 63v 5mm Polyester Box Capacitor	10-5830
XTAL1	Watch Crystal 32.768KHz	90-3052
IC1*	PIC12F628A-I/P	73-3340
IC2	L78L05ACZ 0.1a +5v Voltage Regulator	47-3278
Q1	BC548 Transistor TO92 NPN	81-0066
D1, D2	1N4148 75V 200mA signal diode	47-5608
LED1,2	Kingbright L934SRD-D 3mm LED Super Bright Red LED Diffused 420mcd	55-0822
socket for IC1	18 Pin 0.3in Turned Pin Socket	22-1723
S1,S2	5.85mm Right Angle Tactile Switch 6x6mm	78-1154
K1	Finder 12V Relay (Miniature) SPDT 10A 36.11	60-4192
Terminal block	2 Way 16A Black Interlocking Terminal Block (order 3)	21-0440
Terminal block	3 Way 16A Black Interlocking Terminal Block (Order 1)	21-0442
S3	DIL Switch 10-way 20-pin	80-0344

Parts List Notes

All the resistors are supplied in packs of 100

* PIC16F628A will need to be programmed with the HEX file available to download at the bottom of this web page.

Construction photos:

Photos of the assembled PCB

If you don't have the SIL resistor networks to hand your can use standard resistors mounted vertically as shown here	PCB is designed for the 5 way SIL resistor network at positions RN1 and RN2.  These contain five resistors connected to a common pin at the end with the 'dot'

Firmware

The firmware is for use with a PIC16F628A microcontroller.

The HEX file is ready to program straight into the PIC.  The ZIP file contains the source code which you can modify or just view to see how it works. 

  This project uses an external 32Khz crystal for accurate timing.  The crystal connects to the same pins of the microcontroller as the ICSP programming signals.  Also the MCLR/Vpp input is configured as an I/O input. To successfully program the hex code into the microcontroller ensure that you:

• Program the PIC out of circuit.
• Set the programmer software to 'Use VPP First Program Entry' programming mode
  With the PICKit2 stand-alone programmer application this option is under the 'Tools' menu

Not got a programmer?  Buy a pre-programmed PIC from the On-line store

Basic Version:

Description	Filename	Download link
Source code for 16F628A	ptimer.zip	download
HEX file ready to program into the PIC for use with 16F628A	ptimer.HEX  V1.0.0 10/01/2013 Checksum 0x944A	download

PIC Configuration word settings are already set correctly in the HEX file but should your programmer need them they are shown below. Config Word: 0x2150

 

If you need a PIC Programmer I strongly recommend the Microchip PICKit 2, this is available from suppliers world wide or direct from Microchip.  It's reasonably cheap to buy and reliable. 

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