PWM-Based DC Motor Speed Control System

Using 555 Timer IC

Course Name: Electronics-2

Course Code: EEE225.1

Department: Electrical And Electronic Engineering

Submitted To: Dr. Md. Shahjalal Designation

Date of Submission: 10-6-2026

Submitted By:

Maruf Hasan (Id: 2024200500033)

Fahim Ahmed (Id: 2024200500006)

Samiul Chowdury (Id: 2024200500001)

Abstract

This project demonstrates the design and simulation of a DC motor speed control circuit utilizing
the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) technique. Traditional speed control methods rely on variable
series resistors, which are highly inefficient due to massive heat dissipation. To overcome this, a
555 Timer IC was configured in a modified astable multivibrator mode to generate a precise PWM
signal. By adjusting a 50 kΩ potentiometer, the duty cycle of the signal can be smoothly varied from
minimum to maximum without altering the base operating frequency. An nMOS transistor
(MOSFET) is integrated as a high-speed power switch to drive the inductive load safely. The
complete system was simulated in the Autodesk Tinkercad environment, and the results empirically
verified the direct correlation between the potentiometer's resistance, the duty cycle, and the
motor's rotational speed (RPM).
 Introduction

DC motors are fundamental components in automation, robotics, and industrial machinery.

Regulating their speed is a basic requirement for operational precision in any electro-mechanical
system. Lowering the input voltage using standard rheostats causes significant power loss. Instead
of reducing the voltage, a more modern and highly efficient approach is to rapidly turn the power
supply ON and OFF. This switching technique is known as Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). By
controlling the ratio of the ON time to the total time period—defined as the "Duty Cycle"—we can
regulate the average voltage delivered to the motor. This project utilizes the widely available and
robust 555 Timer IC to generate this PWM signal, proving to be both a cost-effective and highly
efficient method for speed regulation while maintaining high motor torque even at low speeds.

List of Components Used

1. 9V Battery

2. 555 Timer IC

3. Diode

4. DC Motor

5. 0.01 uF Capacitor

6. 2 kΩ Resistor

7. 50 kΩ Potentiometer

8. 200 Ω Resistor

9. nMOS Transistor (MOSFET)

10. 100 uF, 16 V Polarized Capacitor

Circuit Diagram
 Working Principle

The operation of the circuit is divided into two primary stages: PWM Generation and Power
Switching.

A. PWM Generation (555 Timer & Potentiometer): The 555 timer is wired in a modified astable
configuration. A standard astable 555 timer has a fixed duty cycle. However, by introducing a 50 kΩ
potentiometer and two steering diodes across pins 7, 6, and 2, full control over the capacitor's
charging and discharging phases is achieved.

• When the timer's output is HIGH, the 100 uF capacitor charges through one side of the
potentiometer and the first diode.

• When the output is LOW, the capacitor discharges into pin 7 through the second diode and the
other side of the potentiometer.

B. Power Switching (MOSFET): A 555 timer can output a maximum of 200mA, which is
insufficient to drive a DC motor. To resolve this, the PWM signal from Pin 3 is fed into the gate of an
nMOS Transistor through a 200 Ω resistor. The MOSFET acts as a rapid digital switch. When the
PWM pulse is HIGH, the MOSFET turns on, allowing heavy current to flow through the motor.
When LOW, the circuit is broken, cutting off power instantly.

Mathematical Equations & Calculations

To understand how the PWM signal is generated, we must calculate the timing based on the actual
components used in the Tinkercad simulation.

Given Component Values:

• Total Potentiometer Resistance (R ): 50 kΩ = 50,000 Ω

pot
• Timing Capacitor (C): 100 µF = 0.0001 F

• Power Supply V
supply: 9V

The potentiometer wiper divides the total resistance (Rpot) into two segments: the charging
resistance (R1) and the discharging resistance (R2). The sum of these two will always equal the
total resistance (R1 + R2 = 50,000 Ω).

1. Total Time Period (T) and Frequency (f): Because (R1 + R2) remains constant, the total time
period (T) of the PWM wave is fixed.

T = 0.693 × (R1 + R2) × C

T = 0.693 × 50,000 × 0.0001
T = 3.465 seconds

The fixed frequency (f) of the circuit is:

 f=1/T
f = 1 / 3.465 = 0.288 Hz

Case Studies Based on Potentiometer Position:

To demonstrate how the duty cycle and average voltage change, we can calculate the values for
two different potentiometer positions.

Case 1: Potentiometer at the Center (50% Position)

When the wiper is exactly in the middle, the resistance is divided equally: R1 = 25,000 Ω and R2 =
25,000 Ω.

• ON Time (T ):
ON

TON = 0.693 × R1 × C = 0.693 × 25,000 × 0.0001 = 1.7325 seconds

• OFF Time (T
OFF):

TOFF = 0.693 × R2 × C = 0.693 × 25,000 × 0.0001 = 1.7325 seconds

• Duty Cycle:

Duty Cycle (%) = (TON / T) × 100 = (1.7325 / 3.465) × 100 = 50%

• Average Output Voltage (V ):

avg

Vavg = 50% × 9V = 4.5V

(The motor runs at a moderate, steady speed).

Case 2: Potentiometer Turned to the Right (80% Position - High Speed)

When the wiper is shifted to increase the ON time, the charging resistance becomes much higher
than the discharging resistance. Assume R1 = 40,000 Ω and R2 = 10,000 Ω.

• ON Time (T ):
ON

TON = 0.693 × 40,000 × 0.0001 = 2.772 seconds

• OFF Time (T
OFF):
 TOFF = 0.693 × 10,000 × 0.0001 = 0.693 seconds

• Duty Cycle:

Duty Cycle (%) = (TON / T) × 100 = (2.772 / 3.465) × 100 = 80%

• Average Output Voltage (V ):

avg

Vavg = 80% × 9V = 7.2V

(The motor receives high average power and runs at a very high RPM).

These calculations mathematically prove that adjusting the potentiometer alters the ON/OFF timing
(TON) and (TOFF) and the Duty Cycle, directly controlling the average voltage delivered to the
motor without changing the fundamental frequency.

Simulation Observations & Waveforms

During the Tinkercad simulation, an oscilloscope was connected to observe the PWM waveform
while monitoring the motor's RPM. The behavior of the DC motor was perfectly synchronized with
the adjustments made to the 50 kΩ potentiometer.

1. Low Speed (Potentiometer Turned Left): The charging resistance (R ) is very small, and
1
discharging resistance (R2) is large. The ON time is significantly shorter than the OFF time,
resulting in a low duty cycle (e.g., 15%). The motor receives a low average voltage and rotates
at a minimum RPM.

2. Medium Speed (Potentiometer in the Center): The wiper divides the resistance equally (R ≈
1
R2 ≈ 25 kΩ). The charging and discharging times are identical, generating a square wave with a
50% duty cycle. The motor operates at exactly half of its maximum speed capacity.

3. High Speed (Potentiometer Turned Right): The charging resistance (R ) is maximized, and
1
discharging resistance (R2) is minimized. The ON time expands drastically, resulting in a high
duty cycle (e.g., 90%). The motor receives nearly the full 9V supply, spinning at maximum
RPM.

Conclusion

The simulation successfully verified the operational concept and mathematical principles of a
PWM-based DC motor speed controller. By integrating a 555 timer IC with a 50 kΩ potentiometer
and steering diodes, the circuit achieved a smoothly adjustable duty cycle without any alteration to
the fundamental operating frequency. The nMOS transistor proved highly effective in switching the
motor's heavy current safely. Observations extracted directly from the Tinkercad environment
matched theoretical expectations, demonstrating linear speed variations across the potentiometer's
spectrum. Ultimately, this project provided profound practical insights into digital timing circuitry,
power electronics, and efficient electro-mechanical control systems.