Voltage Inverter

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This simple circuit is a good solution to the powering a dual supply op amp from a single battery problem. The circuit simply takes a positive voltage and inverts it. It uses only one 555 timer and a few other passive components, so it doesn't add much in the way of size and cost to a project.

Schematic

Parts

Part	Total Qty.	Description	Substitutions
R1	1	24K 1/4 Watt Resistor
R2	1	56K 1/4 Watt Resistor
C1	1	3300pF 25V Ceramic Capacitor
C2	1	47uF 25V Electrolytic Capacitor
C3	1	10uF 25V Electrolytic Capacitor
C4	1	100uF 25V Electrolytic Capacitor
D1, D2	2	1N4148 Silicon Diode
U1	1	555 Timer
MISC	1	Wire, Board

Notes

V+ can be anywhere from 4 to 16V. -V is one volt less than V+. So for -12V output, use +13V input. The maximum current output of the circuit is about 280mA, more than enough for a few op amps.

For better regulation, a 79LOxx series regulator can be used.

A zener diode may also be used to regualte the output voltage.

Thanks to audioguru for correcting some errors in the original schematic. Read about it in this forum topic.

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Comments

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Colin Mitchell Voltage Inverter Saturday, September 11, 2010 9:16:51 PM

The output current of this circuit is limited to less than 90mA as this is the maximum current capability of a 1N4148 signal diode.

luke Voltage Inverter Thursday, June 03, 2010 9:43:05 AM

I have just made this circuit 12V in i was only seeing a max of -6V out. output oscillating from -3v to -6v, never stable. The circuit was powered for no more than five minutes and exsessive heat was drawn,left any longer i think the 555 would blown. i would not recomend this circuit, but by all means test it yourself.

Ali Bali 555 Voltage Inverter Sunday, February 21, 2010 7:08:30 AM

The circuit operates as a free running AC Square Wave oscillator. Power is connected across pin's 4 +ve & 1 -ve. The output is then rectified i.e. converted to DC via D1 & D2 then smoothed via C3. For power line noise rejection, add a filter cap across the supply say 1000uf and a 0.1uf. This is a good common circuit for producing a -ve ref voltage from a +ve supply.

tamilselvi Voltage Inverter Tuesday, January 19, 2010 10:11:48 AM

Eh guys can i know the o/p waveform of this circuit....

Solo Voltage Inverter Sunday, September 20, 2009 12:42:10 PM

Hey, I made this circuit because i need dual power supply for my op amp project. It works BUT the power supply line (+12 V line) now has noise inteference. can anyone give a hint why it happens?

jazzfreak Voltage Inverter Monday, June 01, 2009 6:31:07 PM

Some of you who think that this is an inverter that steps up voltage (12v to 120v) should think twice. This is a VOLTAGE or "POLARITY" inverter, which means this circuit switches polarity!

Sean Voltage Inverter Thursday, March 26, 2009 12:37:20 AM

Ummmm, power input to the circuit is "V+". Vahid, 13V at 8 amps?!?!?! Damn. If you need about 1 amp, use an LM317. Excellant job on the documentation of the inverter, simple and to the point. Thank you!!!!!!

vahid Voltage Inverter Sunday, February 15, 2009 6:53:45 AM

Hi can you help me please. i have 30volt DC and i vant to convert it to 13.5 (8A). i need any circuit design that is helpful.

manny Voltage Inverter Thursday, September 18, 2008 3:14:56 AM

where is the connection to power the circuit, sorry can't find it how will it operate without a supply? thanx

Liston of University of Cebu Computer Engineering Dept.(Philippines) Voltage Inverter(explain) Monday, August 04, 2008 4:41:28 AM

IC 555 there is only used for oscillation, to have an AC current and the output is connected to transformer to have a higher voltage.

saula Voltage Inverter Tuesday, April 08, 2008 8:07:13 AM

The circuit diagram shown above,there was was transformer. how will it work or pls,help me to illustrate it perfect connection.

aravindh Voltage Inverter Sunday, March 16, 2008 11:34:18 AM

Hi all! Can anyone explain the working of the voltage inverter using 555 timer?? I jus' couldn't understand it.(Hey guyz! I m an average student!!)

anonymous Voltage Inverter Saturday, January 26, 2008 11:03:10 AM

hello how are you my man my problem i do have an electrical appliance that needs to be feed with 220 ac 6000w but i want to use any invertor suppled by 12v/24/ dc give the sizes,diagram,components.

Syed Zubair H. Shah Voltage Inverter Sunday, October 28, 2007 8:21:06 AM

Very simple and nice circuit

anonymous Power Inverter Wednesday, September 26, 2007 5:29:28 PM

IF YOU CAN HELP ME I NEED CIRCUIT FOR INVERTER USED IN MOSFET TRANSISTOR AND WITH PWM AND THE POWER OF INVERTER IS800W

sridhar pradhan Voltage Inverter Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:29:41 AM

HERE THE INPUT VOLTAGE IS NOT SPECIFIED. PLEASE GIVE ME OUT PUT OF 230 VOLT AC.

saurabh jain Voltage Inverter Monday, September 03, 2007 2:35:17 AM

plzz give some working of the voltage inverter.... also the wht when input go beyond the limitation...

wuselchen Voltage Inverter Saturday, September 01, 2007 7:47:13 AM

If you use the bipolar version (LM555, NE555) of the 555, you always have to connect a C of 10n - 100n from pin 5 to ground to stabilize the control voltage of the threshold comparator! @Steve: your inverter.jpg is not retrievable, since the site asks for your password!

Dan Power Inverter Monday, August 20, 2007 11:48:13 AM

I found out this site couple of weeks and found out that it was useful because it contained the things i need in electronics. THanks sir for this.

mark hayek INVERTER 800W Sunday, August 19, 2007 7:15:49 AM

IF YOU CAN HELP ME I NEED CIRCUIT FOR INVERTER USED IN MOSFET TRANSISTOR AND WITH PWM AND THE POWER OF INVERTER IS800W

adeleye peter Voltage Inverter Thursday, August 16, 2007 10:09:38 AM

pls i want you to help me by giving me the following information on inverter 1,principles of workig of a inverter... 2,uses of inverter 3,a sketch diagram of ainverter.. its my project..............i am astudent in nigeria

Jonas Voltage Inverter Sunday, August 12, 2007 3:56:22 PM

Hi! Why does the output start at about 4V and then drop slowly? Have I done something wrong?

ketan Voltage Inverter Sunday, July 29, 2007 9:18:46 AM

hi im ketan studing electronics engg. in somaiya. can u give me some detailed info about voltage inverter using 555 plz do early if u as i have to do project on this

anonymous Voltage Inverter Saturday, July 28, 2007 1:46:23 AM

PLS I AM A FINAL YR STUDENT AND I WANT TO WRITE A PROPOSAL ON AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE REGULATOR. THE I/P VOLTAGE RANGE FROM 33KVA AND ABOVE.

mahmoud Voltage Inverter Saturday, July 21, 2007 5:01:26 PM

thank u

shehu ibrahim Voltage Inverter Tuesday, July 17, 2007 3:16:53 PM

well how do you build it?!? give some information to the people who want to create a power soure, but do not have enginerring degrees. thank you

rishabh Voltage Inverter Friday, July 13, 2007 8:37:15 AM

plzz give some working of the voltage inverter.... also the wht when input go beyond the limitation...

Steve Voltage Inverter Tuesday, July 10, 2007 11:51:43 AM

If the 555 is meant to be running as an oscillator, then pins 7 & 8 need to be transposed on the diagram and V+ should then go to the new pin 8 and not the junction of R1 & R2. http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a99/YagiBare/?action=view�t=inverter.jpg When I used the circuit above, I got +1.35v out for a 5v input. After the corrections I got about -3.5v. Nice useful circuit though. Thanks.

anonymous Voltage Inverter Tuesday, July 10, 2007 11:25:25 AM

this circuit is the bombbizzle!!!!!

popoola oluwaseun prosper Voltage Inverter Wednesday, July 04, 2007 4:00:00 PM

i am a final year computer engineering graduate, i need a schemtic diagram of the inverter,and i think iam impreesed with what i saw, but if i can get more, i will apreciate it.

Taiwo Voltage Inverter Wednesday, July 04, 2007 10:36:45 AM

Pls I need information on how to build an inverter, that can power a three bedroom flat conveniently. Thank you.

saad Voltage Inverter Thursday, June 28, 2007 7:54:25 AM

i want to desighn ups so for that purpose i ned certain description regarding inversion i an undergraduate(B.E) electronics

adewale raji Voltage Inverter Monday, June 25, 2007 9:22:44 AM

pls i want a more complicated,comprehensive circuit diagram of inverter.

anonymous Voltage Inverter Friday, June 22, 2007 9:59:45 AM

It is a good solution for the problem of battery,practical and cheap.

bolaij saheed heavy duty voltage inverter Monday, June 11, 2007 1:33:51 PM

i need acomprihensive information about voltage inverter

nakibinge john power inverter Monday, June 11, 2007 8:38:44 AM

i need a simpler circuit that can convert 12vdcto 240vac
(Editor's notes: Good luck with that.)

temidayo functions, definition, application and use of inverter Friday, May 25, 2007 10:44:31 AM

i wiil like to know more about inverter

victor Voltage Inverter Friday, May 25, 2007 10:07:40 AM

i need all the info i can get on making 5Vdc-220Vac voltage inverter.

arian Voltage Inverter Wednesday, May 23, 2007 7:36:42 AM

what about -18v output

Kennedy Automatic Voltage Regulator Thursday, May 17, 2007 10:18:29 PM

Please I need some help in order to come up with an automatic voltage regulator with input 140-280V 50Hz and a constant output of 220V 50Hz. Thank you.

Randy Kissoon Voltage Inverter Tuesday, May 08, 2007 11:13:15 PM

Hi I ahve a PA amplifier which I used for mobile announcements, it works on 5-12volts batteries, I am tired of moving with 5-batteries, I can move with 3-batteries comfortable, I would like buy a component or build a circuit to increase 36vdc to 60-63Vdc, about 30amps, Thanks, Randy

francis Voltage Inverter Monday, April 23, 2007 6:56:36 AM

Comprehensive information on inverter ,introduction and proposal .Tanks

Nguyen van Quang Voltage Inverter Sunday, April 15, 2007 10:14:01 PM

I use Workbench to simulation But it doesn't work.

PSDRAO Voltage Inverter Friday, April 13, 2007 5:29:28 AM

Pls guide the short way of gettin -5 V 100ma from a +5V source,

anonymous Voltage Inverter Saturday, April 07, 2007 5:58:30 PM

I had a question. Is there a way to keep positive voltages positive and convert negative voltages to positive voltages?

ISMAEL ABAWE Voltage Inverter Sunday, April 01, 2007 3:33:51 AM

PLEASE I NEED MANY MOR INFORMATION ABAOUT INVERTER 12V TO 220V AC THANK YUO

sansa Voltage Inverter Monday, March 26, 2007 5:54:11 AM

je suis etudiante en 4 �me genie electrique mon projet de fin d'etude cinsiste � realiser une interface de communicatuin entre l'automate (siemens S7/S7)et le PC, le probleme c'est que dans notre carte on a besoin d'un inverseur de tension NEGATIVE TO POSITIVE VOLTAGE INVERTER et merci d'avance.

ISMAEL ABAWE INVERTER DCV TO ACV Monday, March 26, 2007 2:17:49 AM

I NEED MANY MOR INFORMATION ABAOUT INVERTER 12VDC TO 220V AC 2AMPER THANK YOU

festus twumasi ankrah lecture note on Inverter Tuesday, March 20, 2007 6:14:25 AM

hi: i will be very grateful if you will assit me in my project work please i need a lecture note on inverter and also facters to consider when constucting an inverter.

abdallah Voltage converter Monday, March 19, 2007 4:49:21 AM

hi all, i need an electrical or electronics cct. that does the following. takes 9v (DC) as an input and outputs 5v (dc) this circuit should be build on a breadboard. so if anyone can help me please contact me on my e-mail

eng. Andrea Frigo Voltage Inverter Sunday, March 11, 2007 1:44:20 PM

The schematic is wrong: R1 shall be connected on pin 7 and on the other side on pins 6 & 2. Not among V+ and 6 & 2.

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Colin Mitchell	Voltage Inverter	Saturday, September 11, 2010 9:16:51 PM
The output current of this circuit is limited to less than 90mA as this is the maximum current capability of a 1N4148 signal diode.
luke	Voltage Inverter	Thursday, June 03, 2010 9:43:05 AM
I have just made this circuit 12V in i was only seeing a max of -6V out. output oscillating from -3v to -6v, never stable. The circuit was powered for no more than five minutes and exsessive heat was drawn,left any longer i think the 555 would blown. i would not recomend this circuit, but by all means test it yourself.
Ali Bali	555 Voltage Inverter	Sunday, February 21, 2010 7:08:30 AM
The circuit operates as a free running AC Square Wave oscillator. Power is connected across pin's 4 +ve & 1 -ve. The output is then rectified i.e. converted to DC via D1 & D2 then smoothed via C3. For power line noise rejection, add a filter cap across the supply say 1000uf and a 0.1uf. This is a good common circuit for producing a -ve ref voltage from a +ve supply.
tamilselvi	Voltage Inverter	Tuesday, January 19, 2010 10:11:48 AM
Eh guys can i know the o/p waveform of this circuit....
Solo	Voltage Inverter	Sunday, September 20, 2009 12:42:10 PM
Hey, I made this circuit because i need dual power supply for my op amp project. It works BUT the power supply line (+12 V line) now has noise inteference. can anyone give a hint why it happens?
jazzfreak	Voltage Inverter	Monday, June 01, 2009 6:31:07 PM
Some of you who think that this is an inverter that steps up voltage (12v to 120v) should think twice. This is a VOLTAGE or "POLARITY" inverter, which means this circuit switches polarity!
Sean	Voltage Inverter	Thursday, March 26, 2009 12:37:20 AM
Ummmm, power input to the circuit is "V+". Vahid, 13V at 8 amps?!?!?! Damn. If you need about 1 amp, use an LM317. Excellant job on the documentation of the inverter, simple and to the point. Thank you!!!!!!
vahid	Voltage Inverter	Sunday, February 15, 2009 6:53:45 AM
Hi can you help me please. i have 30volt DC and i vant to convert it to 13.5 (8A). i need any circuit design that is helpful.
manny	Voltage Inverter	Thursday, September 18, 2008 3:14:56 AM
where is the connection to power the circuit, sorry can't find it how will it operate without a supply? thanx
Liston of University of Cebu Computer Engineering Dept.(Philippines)	Voltage Inverter(explain)	Monday, August 04, 2008 4:41:28 AM
IC 555 there is only used for oscillation, to have an AC current and the output is connected to transformer to have a higher voltage.
saula	Voltage Inverter	Tuesday, April 08, 2008 8:07:13 AM
The circuit diagram shown above,there was was transformer. how will it work or pls,help me to illustrate it perfect connection.
aravindh	Voltage Inverter	Sunday, March 16, 2008 11:34:18 AM
Hi all! Can anyone explain the working of the voltage inverter using 555 timer?? I jus' couldn't understand it.(Hey guyz! I m an average student!!)
anonymous	Voltage Inverter	Saturday, January 26, 2008 11:03:10 AM
hello how are you my man my problem i do have an electrical appliance that needs to be feed with 220 ac 6000w but i want to use any invertor suppled by 12v/24/ dc give the sizes,diagram,components.
Syed Zubair H. Shah	Voltage Inverter	Sunday, October 28, 2007 8:21:06 AM
Very simple and nice circuit
anonymous	Power Inverter	Wednesday, September 26, 2007 5:29:28 PM
IF YOU CAN HELP ME I NEED CIRCUIT FOR INVERTER USED IN MOSFET TRANSISTOR AND WITH PWM AND THE POWER OF INVERTER IS800W
sridhar pradhan	Voltage Inverter	Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:29:41 AM
HERE THE INPUT VOLTAGE IS NOT SPECIFIED. PLEASE GIVE ME OUT PUT OF 230 VOLT AC.
saurabh jain	Voltage Inverter	Monday, September 03, 2007 2:35:17 AM
plzz give some working of the voltage inverter.... also the wht when input go beyond the limitation...
wuselchen	Voltage Inverter	Saturday, September 01, 2007 7:47:13 AM
If you use the bipolar version (LM555, NE555) of the 555, you always have to connect a C of 10n - 100n from pin 5 to ground to stabilize the control voltage of the threshold comparator! @Steve: your inverter.jpg is not retrievable, since the site asks for your password!
Dan	Power Inverter	Monday, August 20, 2007 11:48:13 AM
I found out this site couple of weeks and found out that it was useful because it contained the things i need in electronics. THanks sir for this.
mark hayek	INVERTER 800W	Sunday, August 19, 2007 7:15:49 AM
IF YOU CAN HELP ME I NEED CIRCUIT FOR INVERTER USED IN MOSFET TRANSISTOR AND WITH PWM AND THE POWER OF INVERTER IS800W
adeleye peter	Voltage Inverter	Thursday, August 16, 2007 10:09:38 AM
pls i want you to help me by giving me the following information on inverter 1,principles of workig of a inverter... 2,uses of inverter 3,a sketch diagram of ainverter.. its my project..............i am astudent in nigeria
Jonas	Voltage Inverter	Sunday, August 12, 2007 3:56:22 PM
Hi! Why does the output start at about 4V and then drop slowly? Have I done something wrong?
ketan	Voltage Inverter	Sunday, July 29, 2007 9:18:46 AM
hi im ketan studing electronics engg. in somaiya. can u give me some detailed info about voltage inverter using 555 plz do early if u as i have to do project on this
anonymous	Voltage Inverter	Saturday, July 28, 2007 1:46:23 AM
PLS I AM A FINAL YR STUDENT AND I WANT TO WRITE A PROPOSAL ON AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE REGULATOR. THE I/P VOLTAGE RANGE FROM 33KVA AND ABOVE.
mahmoud	Voltage Inverter	Saturday, July 21, 2007 5:01:26 PM
thank u
shehu ibrahim	Voltage Inverter	Tuesday, July 17, 2007 3:16:53 PM
well how do you build it?!? give some information to the people who want to create a power soure, but do not have enginerring degrees. thank you
rishabh	Voltage Inverter	Friday, July 13, 2007 8:37:15 AM
plzz give some working of the voltage inverter.... also the wht when input go beyond the limitation...
Steve	Voltage Inverter	Tuesday, July 10, 2007 11:51:43 AM
If the 555 is meant to be running as an oscillator, then pins 7 & 8 need to be transposed on the diagram and V+ should then go to the new pin 8 and not the junction of R1 & R2. http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a99/YagiBare/?action=view�t=inverter.jpg When I used the circuit above, I got +1.35v out for a 5v input. After the corrections I got about -3.5v. Nice useful circuit though. Thanks.
anonymous	Voltage Inverter	Tuesday, July 10, 2007 11:25:25 AM
this circuit is the bombbizzle!!!!!
popoola oluwaseun prosper	Voltage Inverter	Wednesday, July 04, 2007 4:00:00 PM
i am a final year computer engineering graduate, i need a schemtic diagram of the inverter,and i think iam impreesed with what i saw, but if i can get more, i will apreciate it.
Taiwo	Voltage Inverter	Wednesday, July 04, 2007 10:36:45 AM
Pls I need information on how to build an inverter, that can power a three bedroom flat conveniently. Thank you.
saad	Voltage Inverter	Thursday, June 28, 2007 7:54:25 AM
i want to desighn ups so for that purpose i ned certain description regarding inversion i an undergraduate(B.E) electronics
adewale raji	Voltage Inverter	Monday, June 25, 2007 9:22:44 AM
pls i want a more complicated,comprehensive circuit diagram of inverter.
anonymous	Voltage Inverter	Friday, June 22, 2007 9:59:45 AM
It is a good solution for the problem of battery,practical and cheap.
bolaij saheed	heavy duty voltage inverter	Monday, June 11, 2007 1:33:51 PM
i need acomprihensive information about voltage inverter
nakibinge john	power inverter	Monday, June 11, 2007 8:38:44 AM
i need a simpler circuit that can convert 12vdcto 240vac (Editor's notes: Good luck with that.)
temidayo	functions, definition, application and use of inverter	Friday, May 25, 2007 10:44:31 AM
i wiil like to know more about inverter
victor	Voltage Inverter	Friday, May 25, 2007 10:07:40 AM
i need all the info i can get on making 5Vdc-220Vac voltage inverter.
arian	Voltage Inverter	Wednesday, May 23, 2007 7:36:42 AM
what about -18v output
Kennedy	Automatic Voltage Regulator	Thursday, May 17, 2007 10:18:29 PM
Please I need some help in order to come up with an automatic voltage regulator with input 140-280V 50Hz and a constant output of 220V 50Hz. Thank you.
Randy Kissoon	Voltage Inverter	Tuesday, May 08, 2007 11:13:15 PM
Hi I ahve a PA amplifier which I used for mobile announcements, it works on 5-12volts batteries, I am tired of moving with 5-batteries, I can move with 3-batteries comfortable, I would like buy a component or build a circuit to increase 36vdc to 60-63Vdc, about 30amps, Thanks, Randy
francis	Voltage Inverter	Monday, April 23, 2007 6:56:36 AM
Comprehensive information on inverter ,introduction and proposal .Tanks
Nguyen van Quang	Voltage Inverter	Sunday, April 15, 2007 10:14:01 PM
I use Workbench to simulation But it doesn't work.
PSDRAO	Voltage Inverter	Friday, April 13, 2007 5:29:28 AM
Pls guide the short way of gettin -5 V 100ma from a +5V source,
anonymous	Voltage Inverter	Saturday, April 07, 2007 5:58:30 PM
I had a question. Is there a way to keep positive voltages positive and convert negative voltages to positive voltages?
ISMAEL ABAWE	Voltage Inverter	Sunday, April 01, 2007 3:33:51 AM
PLEASE I NEED MANY MOR INFORMATION ABAOUT INVERTER 12V TO 220V AC THANK YUO
sansa	Voltage Inverter	Monday, March 26, 2007 5:54:11 AM
je suis etudiante en 4 �me genie electrique mon projet de fin d'etude cinsiste � realiser une interface de communicatuin entre l'automate (siemens S7/S7)et le PC, le probleme c'est que dans notre carte on a besoin d'un inverseur de tension NEGATIVE TO POSITIVE VOLTAGE INVERTER et merci d'avance.
ISMAEL ABAWE	INVERTER DCV TO ACV	Monday, March 26, 2007 2:17:49 AM
I NEED MANY MOR INFORMATION ABAOUT INVERTER 12VDC TO 220V AC 2AMPER THANK YOU
festus twumasi ankrah	lecture note on Inverter	Tuesday, March 20, 2007 6:14:25 AM
hi: i will be very grateful if you will assit me in my project work please i need a lecture note on inverter and also facters to consider when constucting an inverter.
abdallah	Voltage converter	Monday, March 19, 2007 4:49:21 AM
hi all, i need an electrical or electronics cct. that does the following. takes 9v (DC) as an input and outputs 5v (dc) this circuit should be build on a breadboard. so if anyone can help me please contact me on my e-mail
eng. Andrea Frigo	Voltage Inverter	Sunday, March 11, 2007 1:44:20 PM
The schematic is wrong: R1 shall be connected on pin 7 and on the other side on pins 6 & 2. Not among V+ and 6 & 2.