Op-Amps & Comparators

Operational amplifiers: real output swing, input common-mode limits, and supply ranges. This is where datasheet fine print breaks circuits.

Written and verified by John Merton · verified 2026-07-10

Op-amps amplify voltage differences; comparators decide which of two voltages is larger and swing the output rail-to-rail. This category covers general-purpose op-amps like the LM358 and LM324, higher-performance parts like the TLV9002 and MCP6002, and comparators like the LM393 and LM339. The parts share a common trap: the datasheet front-page bullet claims do not apply at the supply rails you are actually using.

The real selection work in this category is reading the electrical characteristics table at your actual supply voltage, output load, and temperature, not the 25 °C typ column at the headline supply. Output swing, input common-mode range, slew rate, and gain-bandwidth product all degrade at the corners. The pages in this category document those corners from the datasheet tables so you do not have to reverse-engineer them from a SPICE model.

How to choose

The axes below are the criteria you actually weigh when selecting a part in this category.

Output swing at your supply voltage and load: A 'rail-to-rail' op-amp can still leave 50–100 mV at each rail when loaded. Check the output voltage swing spec at your actual supply and load current, not the headline.; See:LM358 LM324 TLV9002 MCP6002
Input common-mode range: Many op-amps cannot sense inputs within 1–2 V of the positive rail. An LM358 can sense to ground but not to VCC − 1.5 V. Check where your signal sits in the common-mode window.; See:LM358 LM324 TLV9002
Gain-bandwidth product vs your signal frequency: GBW tells you the maximum gain at a given frequency. A 1 MHz GBW op-amp configured for a gain of 100 has only 10 kHz of usable bandwidth. Configure your gain first, then check bandwidth.; See:LM358 LM324 NE5532 MCP6002
Supply voltage range and single-supply behavior: Many classic op-amps need split supplies (±15 V). Modern rail-to-rail parts run on a single 1.8–5.5 V supply. If your circuit has only one supply rail, choose a part designed for it.; See:LM358 TLV9002 MCP6002 NE5532

All parts in this category

Compare specs

Parts in this guide verified against manufacturer datasheets; latest 2026-07-10.

MPN	Package	Lifecycle	Headline spec
LM358	SOIC-8 (TI package D)	Active	GBW: 0.7 MHz typ (LM358; LM358B: 1.2 MHz)
TLV9002	SOIC-8	Active	Supply range: 1.8 V to 5.5 V specified (±0.9 V to ±2.75 V); absolute maximum (V+)−(V−) = 7 V
LM324	SOIC-14 (TI package code D)	Active	Supply range: 3 V min to 32 V max (V+ - V-) for LM324-N; Features state single supply 3 V to 32 V or dual supplies +/-1.5 V to +/-16 V
LM339	SOIC-14 (TI package code D)	Active	Supply voltage range: 2 V min to 30 V max recommended (VCC, non-V devices); absolute maximum 36 V
LM386	SOIC-8 (TI package code D)	Active	Supply range: VCC 4 V min / 12 V max (LM386N-4 grade: 5 V min / 18 V max); speaker impedance 4 Ohm min; TA 0 to 70 C
LM393	SOIC-8 (TI package code D)	Active	Supply voltage range: 2 V min to 30 V max recommended (non-V devices); absolute maximum 36 V (non-B versions)
LM741	PDIP-8 (TI package code P)	Active	Supply voltage (recommended): +/-10 V min / +/-15 V nom / +/-22 V max (LM741, LM741A); +/-10 V min / +/-15 V nom / +/-18 V max (LM741C)
NE5532	SOIC-8 (TI package code D)	Active	Supply / operating range: VCC+ 5 V min to 15 V max, VCC- -5 V min to -15 V max; operating free-air temperature 0 to 70 C (NE5532, NE5532A; SA5532/SA5532A grade covers -40 to +85 C); absolute maximum supply VCC+ +18 V, VCC- -18 V
MCP6002	8-lead PDIP / SOIC / MSOP / 2x3 DFN	Active	Gain Bandwidth Product (GBWP): 1.0 MHz typ

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