A countdown timer indicates the time remaining before a particular event is scheduled to occur. It uses a sequence of backward counting based on the amount of time that is set on the timer. It can be programmed based on the number of hours, minutes or seconds. It is very simple to operate a countdown timer as it has three controls; Start, Stop and Reset. The first procedure is to enter the duration of the countdown on the timer. For example, if the event is scheduled to begin after 30 minutes, you set the timer to start counting from 00:30:00. This means that it will count backward from thirty minutes and finishes its count at 00:00:00.
Once the time is set, you click on the ‘Start’ button to initiate the countdown. If you want to stop at exactly 20 minutes, then you click the ‘Stop’ button. The ‘Reset’ button is used to readjust the countdown timer when you want to set a given duration. There are different types of countdown timers such as online countdown timer and digital countdown timer. These are found on watches, mobile phones, computers and other electronic devices. Some of them have an alarm and they alert an individual when the countdown is almost over.
Countdowns are often used in anticipation of a rocket launch, detonation of an explosive, start of the New Year, the start of a race or any event that is anticipated anxiously. A countdown is quite different from the alarm clocks as it does the opposite. An alarm clock counts the duration to a future time from the present while the countdown timer counts backward based on the exact duration of the anticipated time. It is very common with athletes during their training or when performing a ‘warm-up’ before the actual event.
It helps you manage your time well when preparing for a particular activity. Since everyone is familiar with this tool, it can have many applications besides the common uses. There is a possibility of sticking to a particular task once you have a boundary set by your time. Although it is mostly associated with work and other scheduled events, it is also useful when having a couple of short breaks on a busy day. A countdown timer acts as a reminder that your time for relaxing is over and that you should get back to work. The advancement of technology has made this possible by facilitating the production of new designs of countdown timers.