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LM339 Question — Parallax Forums

LM339 Question

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2001-05-04 04:33 in General Discussion
Hello all,

Dose any one know if I can use A LM324 inplace of a LM339 for a
project? The sheat that I got says to use a LM339, well I got a LM324
that I had laying around.

please help
TC

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-05-03 23:40
    At 09:24 PM 5/3/01 +0000, you wrote:
    >Hello all,
    >
    >Dose any one know if I can use A LM324 inplace of a LM339 for a
    >project? The sheat that I got says to use a LM339, well I got a LM324
    >that I had laying around.
    >
    >please help
    >TC

    The short answer to your question is YES because you are using an
    Op-Amp in-place of a Comparator. If you were using a Comparator
    in-place of an Op-Amp, I would be more hesitant to say YES.
    ...your circuit however might require a diode on the output on
    each Comparator...

    Old Output >
    |<----> New Output

    ...The diode allows the remainder of the circuit to "think" that
    it has the "open-collector" outputs on the OP-Amp (LM324) that
    would typically be on a Comparator. (See below) ...although it
    is possible that the circuit doesn't care either way, you may not
    even need the diodes.

    Your question is more of an application dependent question...
    The most substantial difference between a Comparator (LM339) and
    an Op-Amp (LM324) is that the Comparator is Open Collector, meaning
    that it is never driven HIGH.

    In most circuits where a Comparator is used, it might be ok to
    substitute an Op-Amp.

    On the other hand, in circuits where an Op-Amp is used, it is
    unlikely that a Comparator could be used as easily. But again, this
    mainly depends on the application.

    See: http://www.national.com/pf/LM/ for a list of datasheets....


    ...under the LM339, take a look at page 15 and compare that
    schematic to the LM741 page 4, and see how much they differ.
    The Op-Amp is driven both HIGH and LOW, while the Comparator
    is only driven LOW.




    Beau Schwabe IC Mask Designer
    National Semiconductor Wired Communications Division
    500 Pinnacle Court, Suite 525 Mail Stop GA1 Norcross, GA 30071
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-05-04 04:33
    At 09:24 PM 5/3/01 +0000, aconti@n... wrote:
    >Hello all,
    >
    >Dose any one know if I can use A LM324 inplace of a LM339 for a
    >project? The sheat that I got says to use a LM339, well I got a LM324
    >that I had laying around.

    May work, may not.

    1st - they have different pin outs. If you have a board laid out for the
    339, the 324 will definitely not work.

    2nd - the 339 has open collector outputs.

    3rd - the 339 switches it's output (slews) at least 100 times faster than
    the 324.

    If none of these differences affect you, the 324 will work just fine.

    dwayne



    Dwayne Reid <dwayner@p...>
    Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA
    (780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax

    Celebrating 17 years of Engineering Innovation (1984 - 2001)

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