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I used this OP97 op-amp to make a simple unity-gain feedback circuit. I would expect the output in this case to follow the input with very little error, however the output is actually measured at \$ 2.7 \text{ V}\$ rather than \$ \approx 3.1 \text{ V}\$ as expected.

This seems like a fairly large error for this buffer. I checked the data sheet and it appears that I'm operating the device well-within the allowable supply range, so I'm not sure what the error may be.

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Can you show your PCB design? This op amp has very high input impedance and is susceptible to very small leakage currents which may cause increased offset. Check the datasheet section on guarding. \$\endgroup\$
    – ScienceGeyser
    Feb 23, 2021 at 0:25
  • \$\begingroup\$ This is actually a breadboard design, so the schematic is pretty much all there is. I'm powering it from the ADALM2000. \$\endgroup\$
    – HallEffect
    Feb 23, 2021 at 0:29
  • \$\begingroup\$ Check to see if the offset exists with other input voltages. Or put a sine wave on the input and look at the distortion as the input amplitude approaches the rails. \$\endgroup\$
    – ScienceGeyser
    Feb 23, 2021 at 0:41
  • \$\begingroup\$ It seems ironic you chose an Op Amp with Offset voltage =20 μV maximum and then realized 400 mV of offset as good as a uA741 \$\endgroup\$
    – Tony Stewart EE75
    Feb 23, 2021 at 1:14

2 Answers 2

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enter image description here

Figure 1. From the datasheet.

Note that when running on a ±15 V supply that the inputs can be taken to within 1 or 1.5 V of the supply rails.

If that deviation remains constant at ±4 V then you could expect the inputs to work in the range ±2.5 V to ±3 V. I can't see where you could work that out from the data sheet.

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    \$\begingroup\$ Thanks a lot for the quick response. So then in that same table in the row right below the one you pointed out, for "output voltage swing" it says +/- 13 V. I guess since this is a unity gain buffer, if I were operating at +/- 15, I should expect the more limiting constraint to apply? \$\endgroup\$
    – HallEffect
    Feb 23, 2021 at 0:18
  • \$\begingroup\$ I'm afraid so. Have a look at rail to fail op-amps but be aware that they don't have strong output "pull" when close to the results. \$\endgroup\$
    – Transistor
    Feb 23, 2021 at 0:34
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Transistor is "rail to fail" a typo or are you mocking them? (the correct term is "rail to rail") \$\endgroup\$
    – user253751
    Feb 23, 2021 at 9:21
  • \$\begingroup\$ @user253751. Ha! Typo, thanks. It should be "rail-to-rail". \$\endgroup\$
    – Transistor
    Feb 23, 2021 at 10:15
  • \$\begingroup\$ yes you want rail-to-rail. The original is a rail-to-fail! \$\endgroup\$
    – user16324
    Feb 23, 2021 at 13:44
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The problem is the input voltage range, you may want to switch to a rail to rail opamp (some here). A rail to rail opamp has no resrictions on the input vs the rail voltage. There are also rail to rail input and rail to rail output opamps, make sure that at minimum its rail to rail input.

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