Inverting Amplifier
Gain A = −R_f / R_in
Non-Inverting Amplifier
Gain A = 1 + R_f / R_1
Voltage Follower (Buffer)
Provides high input impedance and low output impedance — ideal buffer.
Inverting Summing Amplifier
V_out = −R_f × (V1/R1 + V2/R2 + V3/R3)
Difference (Subtractor) Amplifier
For R1=R3, R2=R4: V_out = (R2/R1) × (V2 − V1)
📐 Op-Amp Configuration Summary
Inverting
A = −Rf/Rin
Vout = A × Vin
Input Z ≈ Rin
Non-Inverting
A = 1 + Rf/R1
Vout = A × Vin
Input Z ≈ ∞
Follower
A = 1
Vout = Vin
Buffer, Z_in ≈ ∞
Summing (inv.)
Vout = −Rf·(V1/R1
+ V2/R2 + V3/R3)
Difference
Vout = R4/(R3+R4)
×(1+R2/R1)×V2
−(R2/R1)×V1
❓ FAQ
What is the difference between inverting and non-inverting amplifiers?
The inverting amplifier applies the signal to the negative (−) input, resulting in a phase-inverted output with gain −Rf/Rin. The non-inverting amplifier applies the signal to the positive (+) input, giving an in-phase output with gain 1+Rf/R1 (always ≥ 1).
Why does output clipping occur?
Op-amps cannot output a voltage beyond their supply rails (±Vs). When the calculated Vout exceeds ±Vs, the output saturates (clips) at approximately ±(Vs − 1.5V) for most op-amps, or very close to ±Vs for rail-to-rail op-amps.
What value should the bias current compensation resistor be?
For minimum offset voltage due to bias currents, add a resistor from the (+) input to GND equal to the parallel combination of Rin and Rf (for inverting) or R1 and Rf (for non-inverting). For FET-input op-amps this is usually unnecessary.