Purpose of a voltage follower (buffer)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the purpose and applications of a voltage follower (buffer) in electronic circuits, exploring its characteristics and potential alternatives like a current follower.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight that a voltage follower has almost infinite input impedance, allowing it to connect to a signal source without loading it down.
  • One participant questions the existence of a current follower and whether it should have low input impedance.
  • Another participant expresses frustration over the open-ended nature of the initial question about voltage followers, suggesting that prior research should inform the discussion.
  • A later reply confirms the existence of a current follower and asserts that it should indeed have low input impedance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of prior research before asking questions, and there is an unresolved inquiry regarding the characteristics and applications of a current follower.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the audience's prior knowledge and the depth of the inquiry into voltage followers remain unaddressed, leading to varying levels of engagement in the discussion.

lamba89
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What are the applications of a voltage follower?
 
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lamba89 said:
What are the applications of a voltage follower?

Probably the most important characteristic of a voltage follower is that it has almost infinite input impedance. This means that when you connect a signal to its input, the source of the signal is not loaded down and the source won't even notice it has something connected to it, almost like an open circuit. So the voltage follower is able to reproduce the signal from the source to its output without the problem of changing the original signal by drawing current from it.
 
Last edited:
is there a current follower? and if so, should it have a low input impedance? Thanks.
 
lamba89 said:
What are the applications of a voltage follower?

Hopefully you did at least the minimum reading at wikipedia and other basic websites before posting this open-ended question here. What did you learn from that research, and what are your specific questions that you still have after that reading? Please provide links to what you don't understand yet.
 
delta14 said:
is there a current follower? and if so, should it have a low input impedance? Thanks.

Yes, and yes.
 

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