This is a circuit that tests op amp chips to verify that they are working properly. You might find it useful if you repair old equipment, or if your prototype circuits don't always work the way you expect. 🔥😕
- Tests single, dual, and quad op amp DIP ICs that have the standard pinout
- LEDs blinking = op amps working!
- Powered by a 9-volt battery
The circuit board has separate sockets for single, dual, and quad op amp ICs. To test a chip, insert it in the appropriate socket and plug in a 9-volt battery. The LED(s) next to the chip should start blinking. If one or more of the LEDs don't blink, the chip is bad.
This tester can test just about any DIP op amp IC (single, dual, or quad) that can operate on a 9 volt power supply and that has the usual pinout. I have tried it with several chips including:
- TL071, TL074
- LM358
- OPA2134
The circuit is designed for a 9-volt power supply. Using a higher supply voltage may not work because the LEDs can't take much reverse voltage.
The PCB layout is provided in KiCad and gerber formats. The PCBs that I used can be ordered from OSH Park. The design is here.
I made a parts list with links to specific parts and vendors, but most of the components are generic resistors, capacitors, and LEDs - it's not necessary to use the exact parts that I listed. I do recommend using good quality IC sockets because cheap ones are not designed for repeated IC insertion and removal.
Please note that I am a hobbyist, not a trained electronics engineer. No guarantees!
This design is based on some other op amp testers:
KiCad 6.0.4
© 2022 Len Popp CC BY
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.