Op-Amp - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Samwel
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 12, 2016, 10:35:21 pm
content: Hi, I am trying to understand how to use an op amp. My question is, can I use an op-amp as a voltage booster ?Thanks alot

author: Aodhan145
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2016, 10:51:28 pm
content: No not really an opamp can only give out voltages within its supply rails, but you can set up a oscillator to drive a switching regulator to boost voltage, but you need to know how op-amps work.Watch this video. If you still do not understand it watch it again and again and again.I have personally found it very useful.

author: Samwel
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 12, 2016, 10:55:04 pm
content: Thanks a lot. I will definitely find this video useful.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2016, 11:44:53 pm
content: Quote from: Samwel on June 12, 2016, 10:35:21 pmUnder conditions as shown in the video, the output voltage from an op amp can be larger than the input. Whether that is a 'voltage booster' or not, I don't know.What exactly are you trying to accomplish?

author: danadak
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2016, 10:17:51 am
content: As the previous poster noted an OpAmp at its most basic function isan amplifier. So Vout = G x Vin or -G x Vin.So in a sense it could be considered as a "booster".Generally though a booster would be though of as a power booster,and for that a switch mode power regulator chip/circuit is the solution.An OpAmp can be used as a power booster, there are actual powerOpAmps for that purpose.Regards, Dana.

author: Ammar
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2016, 12:43:13 pm
content: Not really. You cannot go above your supply rails for your output voltage. Try a boost converter instead.

author: danadak
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2016, 09:56:52 pm
content: Original poster has no constraint that he is trying to go outsidesupply rails.Regards, Dana.

author: Aodhan145
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2016, 11:48:22 pm
content: Yeah I realised that after I posted that it can be interpreted both ways.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2016, 12:12:07 am
content: But you can go outside the rails with OP, just make a square wavee oscillator ( comparator with RC feed back ), and with some diodes and caps you go easily out of the rails positive and negative

author: eetech00
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2016, 12:33:38 am
content: Quote from: Samwel on June 12, 2016, 10:35:21 pmThere are different opamp configurations. A "non-inverting opamp configuration" can be use to amplify an input voltage, but not beyond its own power supply input rails.

author: Synthetase
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2016, 07:27:35 am
content: Quote from: Samwel on June 12, 2016, 10:35:21 pmHave a read ofthisas well, then get your bread board out and start playing with them.

author: danadak
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2016, 10:15:36 am
content: Some ref material -http://www.ti.com/lit/an/sboa092a/sboa092a.pdfhttp://www.atom.fysik.lth.se/Qi/laser_documentation/Selected_articles/Burr%20and%20Brown,%20Handbook%20of%20operational%20amplifier%20applications.pdfhttp://www.analog.com/library/analogDialogue/archives/39-05/op_amp_applications_handbook.htmlRegards, Dana.