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I need to trigger a speaker if my input voltage is higher than 0.6 V, otherwise the speaker must not be triggered. That's the reason I'm using an AMPOP Comparator:

enter image description here

and, as far as I know, the voltage Vout should be:

$$ V_{\text{out}} = \begin{cases} V_{\text{S}+} & \text{if } V_1 > V_2, \\ V_{\text{S}-} & \text{if } V_1 < V_2, \\ 0 & \text{if } V_1 = V_2\end{cases}$$

But when I simulate my circuit, my output voltage is not Vs+ or Vs-. There is a loss in voltage and you can check all voltages on the following image.

enter image description here

V1 = 1 V and V2 = 0.6 V, Vout = 13.011, but Vs+ = 15 V;

enter image description here

V1 = 0.2 V and V2 = 0.6, Vout = 1.9889, but Vs- = 0 V.

I need Vout near 15 V (and 0 V if V1 < V2). It doesn't have to be exactly 15 volts, but near it. Am I doing something wrong? Is there any way to do it without another amplifier after the output? I'm beginner sorry if I misunderstood something.

BTW, if you know an easier way to trigger the speaker, tell me ;)

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    \$\begingroup\$ Not sure exactly what you mean by "triggering" a speaker, nor why you think a op-amp wired as a comparator will do that. But, the output voltages you see are easily explained by the fact that many op-amps have a compliance voltage in that range... that is, the outputs can not drive the whole supply range... compliance of ~2V is not unusual. Read your datasheet! You don't mention what op-amp you are using. A "rail-to-rail" op amp will drive the output closer to the rail voltages. Even better, use a dedicated comparator IC for this function. \$\endgroup\$
    – B Pete
    Commented Nov 26, 2012 at 3:55
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    \$\begingroup\$ @BPete, good enough for an answer, I think. \$\endgroup\$
    – The Photon
    Commented Nov 26, 2012 at 4:09
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    \$\begingroup\$ Why you need 15V or a DC signal on a speaker that would imply 2 Amps (but not deliver) in the speaker coil is beyond me. But you can't create a tertiary level output window detector with a simple comparator.. try again? \$\endgroup\$
    – D.A.S.
    Commented Nov 26, 2012 at 4:14
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Richman: Good points. We could use some detail about what the poster is trying to accomplish. \$\endgroup\$
    – B Pete
    Commented Nov 26, 2012 at 4:43
  • \$\begingroup\$ I want an alarm system. If the voltage goes over 0.6 volts, the speaker is activated, otherwise no sound. \$\endgroup\$
    – Doon
    Commented Nov 27, 2012 at 16:01

1 Answer 1

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Do you even need +15V to -15V output???

Power on the speaker is ~Vpeak^2/R, so for an 8 ohm coil this system will blast out 15^2/8 ~= 28 Watts, which is pretty loud. Also placing DC current through a speaker is bad for it.

If you wanna stick with this design: you're going to need a Comparator with Rail-Rail operation, and even then that only gets you to Vdd-0.3V and Vss+0.3V . Check to see if this suits your needs. Since you are also driving a speaker, use Ohm's law on the speaker impedance to figure out how much current you're gonna need. An 8 ohm speaker will need at least a 2 Amp power supply for both +15 V and -15V. Best bet is to drive the system with +-18V 3A Rails. Find a comparator that can handle +-15V outputs, and get an output buffer that can handle 2 Amps both ways.

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