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Build Instructions: The Blinking Light

Circuit
May 24, 2019 By Øyvind Nydal Dahl — 40 Comments

Do you want to build a circuit that blinks a light? This inverter-based circuit is
simple, and it’s small enough to t on a breadboard.

The circuit uses standard basic electronic components and you can build it even Free eBook
if you have never built anything before. Check out the full build instructions in the
video below:
This easy-to-read guide will teach you how
the basic components of electronics work.
Build A Blinking LED Circuit (Step-by-step instructions)
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Scroll down to nd the complete circuit diagram, component list, and step-by-
step instructions (in text-form) on how to build this circuit. Search:

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This circuit is from my Free Email Course on how to make a light blink. Do you
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with them.

The Circuit Diagram

In the lessons, you learned that you needed an inverter for this circuit. But there’s
one important point if you want to build this:

You need to use a Schmitt-triggered inverter. It’s an inverter where the voltage at

which it switches from LOW to HIGH is higher than the voltage for switching
from HIGH to LOW.

You’ll nd the complete circuit diagram below.

The numbers next to each pin in the diagram represent the pin number on the
integrated circuit. Click here for the pinout of the Hex Schmitt Trigger Inverter IC.

The Components You Need

Part Value Note

– Breadboard Breadboard

– 2 x Jumper Wires Any stiff wire (22-23 AWG)

– 9V Battery clip To connect battery to board

BATT1 9V Battery To power the circuit

U1 74C14 or CD40106 Hex Schmitt Trigger Inverter

C1 100μF Polarized capacitor

R1 10 kΩ Any resistor type

R2 10 kΩ Any resistor type

LED1 Red Standard LED (low power)

These are pretty standard components that you can get from most places that
sell parts for building electronics. I’ve created a page with a list of where to buy
electronic components here. They’re also included in the Ohmify Beginner’s kit
(except the battery).

Build The Circuit Step-by-Step

When you have the components in hand, you’re ready to build the circuit.

Not sure how the breadboard works? Then you might want to read How To Use
a Breadboard rst.

Step 1: Place the Integrated Circuit (U1)

Start with U1, the Hex Schmitt Trigger Inverter IC. Place it across the gap in the
middle, with pin 1 in the upper left corner.

Step 2: Place the Capacitor (C1)

Next, place the capacitor C1. First, nd the negative pin. It should be marked
with minus or zero. Often the negative pin is shorter than the positive pin.

Connect the negative pin in the negative supply column. And connect the
positive pin to the same row as Pin 1 of the IC.

Step 3: Place the Resistor (R1)

The resistor R1 should go from the input (Pin 1) to the output (Pin 2). Bend the
legs of the resistor so that you can connect it from the row of Pin 1 to the row of
Pin 2.

Step 4: Place the LED (LED1)

Next, connect the LED. The negative leg of the LED is the shortest one. Connect
it to the negative supply column. Connect the longer leg to an empty row.

Step 5: Place the Resistor (R2)

The resistor R2 connects the output (Pin 2) to the LED. Place one leg of the
resistor into the row of Pin 2. Place the other leg on the same row as the long leg
of the LED.

Step 6: Connect GND to Minus

The GND (Pin 7) of the IC must be connected to ground. In this circuit, ground is
the minus of the battery. Connect one end of a jumper wire to the same row as
Pin 7. Connect the other end to the negative supply column.

Step 7: Connect VDD to Plus

The VDD (Pin 14) of the IC must be connected to the positive supply. Connect
one end of a jumper wire to the positive supply column. Connect the other end to
the same row as Pin 14.

Step 8: Connect the Battery

Finally, connect the red wire from the battery to the positive supply column. And
connect the black wire to the negative supply column.

Your LED should start to blink.

Questions?
Did you build it? How did it go?

Let me know in the comments below.

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