Recently I started building circuits on bread boards. Nothing advanced, mostly stuff like full adders, ripple counter, etc. I am noticing some interesting behavior from the circuit though. I'll get different behavior from my circuit without changing any of the circuitry. For example I built a ripple counter with a 555 timer the other day and it was working fine. Today when I turned it on it wasn't working the same (all the LEDS were lit up at the same time). I turned the power supply on and off a couple of times and pushed all the pieces firmly into place and it started working the way I wanted again. What I am wondering is what may cause this? Is it common for circuits to require fiddling with to get them working (even when they were working previously and you didn't change any of the circuity)? All the parts I bought were the cheapest ones I could find on Ebay so I am wondering if maybe my breadboard or ICs have problems. Is there any way to check that?
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1\$\begingroup\$ Do you have any kind of reset concept in your circuit? Digital logic generally doesn't have a "default state" unless you compel it to have one. \$\endgroup\$– vicatcuCommented Jun 9, 2017 at 0:19
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1\$\begingroup\$ Same guess for inputs, don't leave them floating. \$\endgroup\$– vicatcuCommented Jun 9, 2017 at 0:24
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\$\begingroup\$ @vicatcu I attached both the reset pin on my 555 timer and 74373 (my binary contour) to ground. Is that what you mean? Also another thing to note is that if I press on some of the wires the binary counters pin outs all go to high. This leads me to believe something is wrong with the breadboard. \$\endgroup\$– user146255Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 0:25
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\$\begingroup\$ @vicatcu Ok I put a resistor from the input to ground and I didn't notice a difference \$\endgroup\$– user146255Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 0:33
2 Answers
A picture is worth a thousand words, showing us what you have might give you a more targeted answer.
Electronic components are made to be predictable, random behavior is rarely desirable.
I assume you are using a solderless breadboard? If it or your components are dirty/oxidized, it might lead to poor connection and erratic behavior. Also make sure that all your components are properly inserted in the breadboard.
A multimeter in "continuity" mode will definitely help you spot issues. Also keep in mind that very high value resistors (1+Meg ohm) are close to the resistance of your (dry) skin, so touching the circuit while it operates can change its behavior. Similarly, depending on your circuit, capacitors can retain a charge for some time, so if you plug/unplug relatively fast, you might have different base conditions for your circuit every time. That's only two possible anomalies out of many more.
My advice, keep tinkering, make good observations, and try to find a logical explanation to the behavior you see. Then test that hypothesis and repeat until you have the behavior you are expecting. Have fun and learn a lot of stuff in the process, the more you do it, the faster you get!
It shouldn't be the case, that's for sure.
I alway blame myself before blaming any faulty IC or whatever. The fact that you get intermittent working would probably suggest a bad or loose connection.
It's not uncommon for breadboards to make bad contact. Specially if you didn't peel the wire long enough and you're putting the insulator inside the breaboard hole. This prevents proper contact.
You can check your breadboard, it's a little bit of a PITA. But you can use a tester to check it.
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\$\begingroup\$ I just purchased jumper wire from Ebay and was using that. I would assume that it is long enough since it looks big. If I press on some of the wires the binary counters pin outs all go to high which concerns me. \$\endgroup\$– user146255Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 0:36