Op-Amp (DIP) Symbol
Definition: The Op-Amp (DIP) symbol represents an operational amplifier packaged in a Dual In-line Package (DIP), drawn as a right-pointing triangle with the non-inverting input (In+) at the lower-left, the inverting input (In−) at the upper-left, the output (Out) at the right apex, and explicit power supply pins V+ (top) and V− (bottom), reflecting the physical DIP pinout used by industry-standard ICs such as the LM741 (8-pin DIP) and LM358/LM324 series.
Also known as: DIP op-amp, 741 op-amp, LM358 symbol, 8-pin op-amp, DIP-8 operational amplifier, LM741 symbol.
What the Op-Amp (DIP) symbol means
The Op-Amp (DIP) symbol denotes the same high-gain differential-input voltage amplifier as the generic op-amp triangle, but explicitly includes the V+ and V− supply pins in the symbol to reflect the DIP package pinout. This is important when drawing schematics with physical IC-level detail, where supply pin connections must be shown to verify decoupling capacitor placement and power rail routing.
In schematics where component-level layout matters — such as PCB design, laboratory breadboard documentation, or educational circuit diagrams — the DIP op-amp symbol reminds the designer that supply pins (V+ and V−) must be bypassed with 100 nF decoupling capacitors close to the IC body. The five-pin symbol (In+, In−, Out, V+, V−) maps directly to the physical DIP package and ensures no supply connections are omitted.
How to identify the Op-Amp (DIP) symbol
The Op-Amp (DIP) symbol is the standard right-pointing triangle op-amp symbol with two additional supply pin stubs: V+ emerging from the top of the triangle and V− from the bottom. The '+' non-inverting input is at the lower-left, the '−' inverting input at the upper-left, and the output at the right apex — identical to the generic op-amp symbol, but with the power supply pins explicitly drawn. The presence of V+ and V− stubs on the triangle is the visual differentiator from the three-pin generic op-amp symbol.
Function in a circuit
The Op-Amp (DIP) performs the same high-gain differential amplification as any operational amplifier: the output voltage tends toward A_ol × (V+ input − V− input), stabilised to a controlled closed-loop gain by external feedback components. The DIP package designation indicates the physical through-hole form factor: 8-pin DIP for single and dual op-amps (LM741, LM358), 14-pin DIP for quad op-amps (LM324). The V+ and V− supply pins power the internal differential input stage, gain stage, and output stage. Decoupling capacitors (100 nF ceramic) on each supply pin are mandatory to suppress high-frequency supply noise.
Standards: IEC vs ANSI
| IEC 60617 | IEC 60617-05 defines the op-amp triangular symbol; IEC does not mandate inclusion of supply pins in the schematic symbol, but IEC 61000-5-2 (installation and mitigation) recommends decoupling practices. The DIP package format is governed by IEC 60191-2 (package dimensions). |
|---|---|
| ANSI/IEEE 315 | ANSI Y32.2 / IEEE 315-1975 defines the op-amp symbol; JEDEC JESD30 governs DIP package designations and dimensions. IEEE 315 recommends showing supply pins when they are not implied by a global power net. |
| Key difference | IEC and ANSI/IEEE define the same core triangular op-amp symbol; showing or hiding supply pins is a schematic drafting convention rather than a standard requirement. The DIP package itself is defined by JEDEC JESD30, not IEC 60617 or IEEE 315. |
Terminals / pins
| Pin | Name |
|---|---|
| in_pos | In+ |
| in_neg | In- |
| out | Out |
| vcc | V+ |
| vee | V- |
Typical values
Supply voltage (V+ to V−): ±5 V to ±18 V (dual supply); 5–36 V (single supply). LM741: ±15 V nominal, single op-amp. LM358: 3–32 V single supply, dual op-amp in 8-pin DIP. LM324: 3–32 V single supply, quad op-amp in 14-pin DIP. Open-loop gain: 100 dB (LM741), 100 dB (LM358). Slew rate: 0.5 V/µs (LM741). GBW: 1 MHz (LM741), 1.1 MHz (LM358).
Where the Op-Amp (DIP) symbol is used
- Breadboard prototyping circuits where a DIP-8 LM741 or LM358 is inserted into a breadboard and the schematic symbol maps directly to physical pin positions
- Student laboratory exercises documenting inverting amplifier, non-inverting amplifier, summing amplifier, and integrator circuits with explicit supply connections
- PCB designs requiring visible supply-pin decoupling capacitor placement, where the V+ and V− stubs remind the designer to add 100 nF bypass capacitors
- Analogue signal conditioning boards using LM324 quad op-amps in DIP-14 packages for multi-channel sensor amplification
- Audio pre-amplifier schematics using TL071 or NE5532 DIP op-amps where the supply pin details are needed for power supply filtering documentation
- Repair and reverse-engineering documentation of legacy equipment using through-hole DIP op-amp ICs
Example
In a dual-supply ±12 V inverting amplifier schematic, the LM741 DIP op-amp symbol shows In+ connected to ground, In− connected to the input resistor (Rin = 10 kΩ) and feedback resistor (Rf = 100 kΩ) junction, Out connected to the load, V+ to the +12 V rail through a 100 nF decoupling capacitor to ground, and V− to the −12 V rail through a 100 nF capacitor to ground. Gain = −Rf/Rin = −10 V/V (−20 dB).
Key facts
- The Op-Amp (DIP) symbol is the standard triangular op-amp symbol with explicit supply pins V+ (top) and V− (bottom) added, reflecting the physical DIP package pinout of devices such as LM741 (8-pin DIP), LM358 (8-pin DIP dual), and LM324 (14-pin DIP quad).
- The five pins of the Op-Amp (DIP) symbol are: In+ (non-inverting input), In− (inverting input), Out (output), V+ (positive supply), and V− (negative supply or ground).
- Decoupling capacitors (100 nF ceramic) must be placed on both V+ and V− supply pins close to the IC body to suppress oscillation and supply-noise coupling, particularly above the op-amp's unity-gain bandwidth.
- The LM741 is the archetypal single DIP op-amp: 8-pin DIP-8, ±15 V supply, 1 MHz GBW, 0.5 V/µs slew rate; it was introduced by Fairchild Semiconductor in 1968 and remains a teaching standard.
- The LM358 is a dual op-amp in an 8-pin DIP that operates from a single supply (3–32 V DC), making it popular for battery-powered circuits where a ±15 V dual supply is impractical.
- Open-loop gain of a typical DIP op-amp (LM741, LM358) is 100 dB (100 000 V/V); in closed-loop negative-feedback configurations the gain is set precisely by external resistors, independent of the op-amp's open-loop gain.
- IEC 60617-05 and ANSI Y32.2 / IEEE 315 define the same triangular op-amp symbol; the decision to show supply pins (DIP variant) vs. hide them (generic variant) is a schematic drafting convention, not a standards requirement.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Op-Amp (DIP) symbol mean in a circuit diagram?
The Op-Amp (DIP) symbol represents an operational amplifier in a Dual In-line Package (DIP), showing all five functional pins explicitly: In+ (non-inverting), In− (inverting), Out, V+ (positive supply), and V− (negative supply). It indicates that the physical IC has through-hole DIP leads and that supply pin decoupling capacitors must be included in the design.
What does the Op-Amp DIP symbol look like?
The Op-Amp (DIP) symbol is a right-pointing triangle with '+' (In+) at the lower-left, '−' (In−) at the upper-left, and the output at the right apex, identical to the generic op-amp symbol. The distinguishing feature is two additional supply pin stubs: V+ emerging from the top of the triangle and V− from the bottom, making it a five-terminal symbol.
What is the difference between the generic op-amp symbol and the Op-Amp DIP symbol?
The generic op-amp symbol shows only three pins (In+, In−, Out) with supply connections implied or connected to global power nets. The Op-Amp (DIP) symbol explicitly adds V+ and V− supply pins to the triangle, reminding the designer to show and decouple the supply connections — important when drawing component-level or breadboard-level schematics.
What DIP op-amp ICs use this symbol?
Common DIP op-amp ICs represented by the Op-Amp (DIP) symbol include the LM741 (single, DIP-8), LM358 (dual, DIP-8, single supply), LM324 (quad, DIP-14, single supply), TL071/TL081 (JFET input, DIP-8), NE5532 (low-noise dual, DIP-8), and OPA2134 (precision audio, DIP-8).
What supply voltage do DIP op-amps require?
Most classic DIP op-amps (LM741) require a dual supply of ±5 V to ±18 V (e.g., ±12 V or ±15 V). Modern single-supply DIP op-amps (LM358, LM324) operate from 3–32 V DC single supply. The V+ and V− supply pins in the schematic symbol must be bypassed with 100 nF ceramic capacitors to ground to prevent oscillation.
How do I set the gain of a DIP op-amp in an inverting configuration?
For an inverting amplifier using a DIP op-amp, connect an input resistor (Rin) from the signal source to the In− pin, and a feedback resistor (Rf) from Out back to In−. Connect In+ to ground or the bias reference. Closed-loop gain = −Rf/Rin. For example, Rin = 10 kΩ and Rf = 100 kΩ gives a gain of −10 V/V (−20 dB); the output is inverted relative to the input.
What are the standard pin numbers of the LM741 DIP-8 op-amp?
The LM741 DIP-8 pin assignments are: pin 1 (offset null), pin 2 (inverting input In−), pin 3 (non-inverting input In+), pin 4 (V−, negative supply), pin 5 (offset null), pin 6 (output), pin 7 (V+, positive supply), pin 8 (no connection). Pins 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 correspond to the five pins of the Op-Amp (DIP) schematic symbol.
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