Small alarm system circuit analysis

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The discussion focuses on understanding how to calculate the minimum and maximum frequencies in a small alarm system circuit using a potentiometer and an LM555 timer IC. The original poster initially struggles with the circuit's functionality and frequency determination, later revealing it is for a lab report. Participants emphasize the importance of reviewing the LM555 datasheet, which contains essential information on frequency calculations and circuit operation. The conversation shifts to ensuring that schoolwork questions are posted in the appropriate forums. Overall, the thread highlights the need for thorough documentation review to grasp circuit behavior and calculations.
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TL;DR Summary: Hey, I was hoping for some help on how I would be able to calculate the minimum and maximum frequency that can reached with the potentiometer and also how this circuit works intuitively, because I don't really understand it. Thanks in advance!

Hey,
The TL;DR sums it up. I don't really get how I can determine the maximum and minimum frequencies that can be obtained. I vaguely understand how the circuit works, but not how to determine the frequencies.
alarmcircuit.png
 
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Baluncore said:
Is this homework ?
What documentation have you been given ?
Do you know what is inside the LM555 package ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/555_timer_IC
Yes I am sorry, I should have said this earlier but I figured it out.. It is a lab report. I didn't read the documentation through for this one. This comes down to the arrangement of an astable operator basically.
I was trying to understand why the components were arranged that way, and how the capacitor was discharging at 2/3 Vcc but that happens internally :'D.

As to the frequencies, those can be calculated with the formula from the datahseet.
 
simphys said:
Yes I am sorry, I should have said this earlier but I figured it out.. It is a lab report.
Thread has been moved to the schoolwork forums now. Please take care to always post schoolwork questions in the Homework Help forums, and show lots of work. We do not do your schoolwork for you here at PF.

simphys said:
I didn't read the documentation through for this one.
Then do it. The datasheets for the 555 ICs generally have a long "Applications" section with lots of explanation about how they work. Please do that reading now, and come back here to this thread if you have specific questions.
 
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