Preparing Op Amp Lab: Tips & Guidelines

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a lab project involving the use of an operational amplifier (op amp) to amplify a small current pulse to a larger one. Participants are exploring the setup and requirements for the experiment, which includes high voltage components and specific instrumentation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Experimental/applied
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their setup, indicating they are trying to amplify a few microamperes to 5 milliamperes using an op amp connected to a high voltage circuit.
  • Another participant questions the feasibility of using an op amp with voltages ranging from 500 to 1600V and requests a schematic for better understanding.
  • A different participant notes the need for a power supply connected to the op amp, suggesting that the connections in the provided picture are unclear.
  • The original poster explains that the current is generated by a pendulum swinging between a capacitor and that the op amp is powered by a 115V outlet.
  • One participant prompts for clarification on the overall purpose of the experiment to better assist with the technical issues presented.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the appropriateness of the op amp setup given the high voltage context, and multiple viewpoints regarding the necessary connections and configurations remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants have noted limitations in the clarity of the provided schematic and the need for additional details about the experiment's objectives and setup.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals working on similar lab projects involving operational amplifiers, high voltage circuits, and current sensing applications.

HumblePhys
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< Mentor Note -- thread moved to HH from the technical engineering forums, so no HH Template is shown >[/color]

Hi, I'm working on a lab project and I have limited instruments/electronics. I am trying to use this op amp to amplify a few uA pulse to a 5 mA pulse. The pulse is passing through a circuit that has around 500 to 1600V and I had originally hooked up the Op Amp in a series using the + and - inputs. Then the output + and - was ran to a Pasco current sensor. Nothing else was connected to the Op Amp. I apologize in advance if this post makes you high five your forehead. Also, thanks.
 

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HumblePhys said:
around 500 to 1600V

Welcome to the PF.

Since an opamp doesn't accommodate those voltages, can you post a schematic?
 
hi there
welcome to PF :smile:the pic is a bit small to read all the connections on the unit ... have you got a better one ?

The op-amp experiment unit will also need a power supply connected to the blue/red/black terminals on the top left
( well at least that looks like the power rail terminals)
 
dang I had left that post hanging for over an hour before posting it
 
Hi everyone, thanks for your comments. Here are a couple pics that I hope help the situation. I'm using pasco instruments with my lab and the current sensor can only read 5 mA and up I believe. In the schematic there is a capacitor and its not in the drawing, but what I'm doing is hanging a pendulum between the capacitor and it's swinging back and forth as it gets charged. So that is where the current is coming from. If you look at the picture I've attached, the red and black wire on the left is part of the circuit with the capacitor/pendulum ect. That current is small so I'm trying to send the pulse into the op amp, amplify it and send it through the output into the pasco current sensor. Also, the Op Amp is plugged into 115V outlet and being the amateur that I am, I figured that gave me the power I needed.
 

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Why don't you explain what the experiment is about?