What Is a Digital Timer?
A digital timer is a device that automatically switches itself on and off after a preset period.
Digital timers can be either analog or digital. Compared to analog timers, which are set manually with a dial scale, digital timers can be set more precisely with numerical values. In this case, the control accuracy is higher, but the setting method is slightly more complicated than for analog timers.
Uses of Digital Timers
Digital timers are used in a variety of situations. By installing a Digital Timer on a device that is to be operated for a certain period, it is possible to stop the movement of the device at any desired time.
1. Applications in the Manufacturing Field
Digital timers used in the manufacturing field are characterized by their high accuracy and multiple functions as they affect product quality and stability. In general, the more advanced the functions, the more expensive the price, ranging from several thousand yen to several tens of thousands of yen per unit.
Prices vary depending on performance, such as flicker operation, one-shot output, on-delay and off-delay control, and interval function.
2. Applications in the Sports Field
Digital timers used in the field of sports are characterized by large products and high visibility that can be seen by spectators. Digital Timers with a real-time display function are often used, but for sports that require precise time measurement, such as track and field events, products with sensors at the start and finish line to measure times automatically are also available.
Principle of Digital Timers
Digital timers can be automatically turned on and off. Understanding the use and principle of the function for each application will help you use them more effectively.
Digital timers receive a signal sent from the input portion of the device and measure a predetermined time. When the predetermined time elapses, an output signal is issued to stop or start the machine.
Types of Digital Timers
There are four main types of digital timers, classified according to the type of control.
1. Digital Timer With On-Delay Control
On-delay control is a control method in which the contact turns on after a set period has elapsed, and then waits a little longer before starting to operate. While this has the advantage that the contacts are immediately restored by cutting the voltage, there is a time lag between the switching of the contacts and the activation of the device.
Push-button traffic signals, for example, operate by gaining additional elapsed time from the timer time using on-delay control.
2. Digital Timer With Off-Delay Control
Off-delay control is a control method in which operation begins immediately after the contacts are switched. While the advantage is that there is little time lag before the device is activated, it takes time from contact switching to recovery.
Lighting that is automatically turned on by a motion sensor, for example, is often operated using off-delay control.
3. Flicker-Operated Digital Timer
Flicker operation is an operation that repeats on and off at a fixed cycle. There are two types of flicker operation methods: “flicker off start” in which the output starts from off and repeats off, on, and off, and “flicker on start” in which the output starts from on and repeats on, off, and on.
This can be used in cases where it is necessary to switch on and off at regular intervals, but the time at which on and off are switched is the same set time. If you want to set them at different times, you will need to select a device with a twin timer function.
This function is often used to send periodic signals and notifications, and is used in familiar situations, such as traffic signals, flashing signals, and buzzer interrupting tones.
4. Digital Timer With Interval Operation
Interval operation is an operation in which the output turns on as soon as an input is made to the timer and turns off after a set period of time. By setting the time in advance for the output to go from on to off, the device can operate without deviation from the set time.
There are two types of triggers to turn on an output: power start and signal start. Practical examples of interval operation include amusement park applications.