What we offer makers, students and engineers
Communica stocks a broad range of clock and timer ICs - from real-time clocks (RTC) and watchdog timers to programmable timer/counter logic and precision clock drivers. Our value is local availability: faster lead times for prototypes and classroom labs, branch collection from Samrand, Pretoria CBD or Cape Town, and VAT invoices for procurement and tertiary projects. For fast browsing of categories, see our Collections page.
Why local stock matters for timing circuits
Timing parts are often small, but a delayed shipment can stall a whole build. Having parts in-country means you can iterate quickly: swap an RTC for a battery-backed option during a lab exercise, or choose a surface-mount timer for a compact prototype without long import delays. If you need to inspect stock or collect same-day, check branch hours on our Branches & Trading Hours.
Stock breadth and brands
We carry common RTCs (e.g., I2C-based modules), 555 timer variants, watchdogs, programmable timers, and clock buffer/drivers from a wide brand mix suitable for education and industry projects. Browse our full offering on the All Products index to compare formats and packages.
Specification callouts to check before you buy
- Interface: I2C, SPI, or parallel - choose based on MCU pins and speed requirements.
- Backup power: coin cell, supercap, or no backup - important for RTC accuracy across power cycles.
- Timing accuracy: crystal vs. oscillator-based RTCs; ppm specification affects drift over months.
- Package and mounting: DIP for breadboards and prototyping, SMD for production PCB space savings.
- Operating voltage and temperature range for your target environment.
If you need help matching an IC to a microcontroller or breakout board, use our technical notes and product pages on the Shop by Brand view to compare supported interfaces and development ecosystem compatibility.
