Why resistor between +input and ground necessary in OP-AMP?

AI Thread Summary
A resistor between the positive input of an op-amp and ground is necessary to provide a return path for bias current, preventing the input from floating. This is crucial because op-amp inputs require a small DC bias to function correctly. The combination of a capacitor and resistor forms a high-pass filter, where the resistor helps set the cut-off frequency and ensures a voltage divider is maintained. Without this resistor, the capacitor's other plate would be effectively floating, disrupting the circuit's operation. Understanding these principles is essential for effective op-amp circuit design.
goodphy
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Hello.

Please see the attached image first.

1. The textbook seems say resistor to + input in this image is necessary to provide a return path to ground. I completely don't understand even what it mean. Could you help me to clarify this?

2. Instead of understanding directly what the book said as above, I interpreted combination of capacitor and resistor on + input as high pass filter to block the DC. In high pass filter, what is the role that resistor take? Mathematical formula for high pass filter operation requires finite value of resistor to have desired cut-off frequency, but I would like to know physically the reason of presence of resistor.

Thanks!
 

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goodphy said:
Hello.

Please see the attached image first.

1. The textbook seems say resistor to + input in this image is necessary to provide a return path to ground. I completely don't understand even what it mean. Could you help me to clarify this?

2. Instead of understanding directly what the book said as above, I interpreted combination of capacitor and resistor on + input as high pass filter to block the DC. In high pass filter, what is the role that resistor take? Mathematical formula for high pass filter operation requires finite value of resistor to have desired cut-off frequency, but I would like to know physically the reason of presence of resistor.

Thanks!

Opamp inputs are not self-biasing. They need to be biased with external connections.

The input capacitor is used to remove the DC component from the input signal, and as you say, the RC combination does form a high-pass filter.

Have you seen the equivalent circuits of the inside of typical opamps? You can look at datasheets for LM741, LM324, TL084, etc. to start to get a feel for why external biasing of the inputs is necessary. :smile:
 
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to elaborate on what berkman said...

in DC conditions capacitors can be represented as an open circuit. This means that without the resistor, the positive node will be floating, which is NOT good. so at low frequencies, the resistor provides a bias point!
 
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Ad1
Every op amp has a differential amplifier at his input. And every transistor need a "base" current to flow to work as a amplifer.
And this is why op amp need a path for his bias current.
0.9.PNG
Ad2
If we talking about the ideal the high-pass filter the capacitor together with series resistor form a voltage divider.
0.7.PNG


So without this resistor (R1) the one plate of a capacitor is connect to input AC voltage, and the second plate of a capacitor is left floating.
So we do not have voltage divider anymore, and sometimes we add this "extra" resistor (R1) simply becaues R_load has a very high resistance (almost ideal case) and we need this resistor to determine the filter cut-off frequency.
 
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donpacino said:
to elaborate on what berkman said...

in DC conditions capacitors can be represented as an open circuit. This means that without the resistor, the positive node will be floating, which is NOT good. so at low frequencies, the resistor provides a bias point!

Hello.

Thanks for making reply detailed.

Thus OP-AMP requires tiny DC current as a basing on the inputs, but without input resistor in connection to ground, this current is blocked thus OP-AMP can't work. Is my summary right?
 
goodphy said:
Hello.

Thanks for making reply detailed.

Thus OP-AMP requires tiny DC current as a basing on the inputs, but without input resistor in connection to ground, this current is blocked thus OP-AMP can't work. Is my summary right?

Yes, that is correct. There are a number of other tips for working with opamp circuits. Are you studying them in school? Or for hobby use? :smile:
 
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Jony130 said:
Ad1
Every op amp has a differential amplifier at his input. And every transistor need a "base" current to flow to work as a amplifer.
And this is why op amp need a path for his bias current.
View attachment 87840Ad2
If we talking about the ideal the high-pass filter the capacitor together with series resistor form a voltage divider.
View attachment 87838

So without this resistor (R1) the one plate of a capacitor is connect to input AC voltage, and the second plate of a capacitor is left floating.
So we do not have voltage divider anymore, and sometimes we add this "extra" resistor (R1) simply becaues R_load has a very high resistance (almost ideal case) and we need this resistor to determine the filter cut-off frequency.

Hello.

Thanks for giving me kind comments and I would like to ask one question regards of your reply.

I'd not understand why bottom side of the capacitor is floated without R1 since that side is still in connection to other such as the load. But I immediately got a flash that OP-AMP inputs has very very high impedance thus in ideal case capacitor is floated.

Could you tell me my reasoning is correct?
 
goodphy said:
Hello.

Thanks for giving me kind comments and I would like to ask one question regards of your reply.

I'd not understand why bottom side of the capacitor is floated without R1 since that side is still in connection to other such as the load. But I immediately got a flash that OP-AMP inputs has very very high impedance thus in ideal case capacitor is floated.

Could you tell me my reasoning is correct?

As I said in my reply, each opamp input needs a DC bias connection. Did you follow my advice and look at the internal equivalent circuits shown in the datasheets for typical opamps? :smile:
 
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berkeman said:
Yes, that is correct. There are a number of other tips for working with opamp circuits. Are you studying them in school? Or for hobby use? :smile:

Thanks.

I'm actually not electrician but my physical experiment have forced me to study electronics thus I'm now in some sort of tougher time:
 
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goodphy said:
Thanks.

I'm actually not electrician but my physical experiment have forced me to study electronics thus I'm now in some sort of tougher time:

There are lots of resources on the Internet to help you learn about opamps and opamp circuits. What have you been reading so far?
 
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