Preparing Op Amp Lab: Tips & Guidelines

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on preparing an op-amp lab project to amplify a small current pulse to a higher level. The user is attempting to amplify a few microamperes to 5 milliamperes using an op-amp connected to a Pasco current sensor, while dealing with high voltages of 500 to 1600V. Concerns are raised about the op-amp's ability to handle such high voltages, and the need for a proper power supply is emphasized. The user mentions using a capacitor and a pendulum in their setup to generate the current, indicating a lack of experience with op-amps and circuit design. The conversation highlights the importance of providing a clear schematic and understanding the experiment's purpose for effective troubleshooting.
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?
 

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