
10
OPA241, 251
OFFSET VOLTAGE TRIM
As mentioned previously, offset voltage of the OPA241 is
laser-trimmed at +5V. The OPA251 is trimmed at
±
15V.
Because the initial offset is so low, user adjustment is
usually not required. However, offset voltage trim connec-
tions are provided on pins 1 and 5. Offset voltage can be
adjusted by connecting a potentiometer as shown in Figure
4. This adjustment should be used only to null the offset of
the op amp, not to adjust system offset or offset produced by
the signal source. Nulling offset could degrade the offset
drift behavior of the op amp. While it is not possible to
predict the exact change in drift, the effect is usually small.
CAPACITIVE LOAD AND STABILITY
The OPA241 and OPA251 can drive a wide range of
capacitive loads. However, all op amps under certain condi-
tions may be unstable. Op amp configuration, gain, and load
value are just a few of the factors to consider when determin-
ing stability.
Figures 5 and 6 show the regions where the OPA241 and
OPA251 have the potential for instability. As shown, the
unity gain configuration with low supplies is the most
susceptible to the effects of capacitive load. With V
S
= +5V,
G = +1, and I
OUT
= 0, operation remains stable with load
capacitance up to approximately 200pF. Increasing supply
voltage, output current, and/or gain significantly improves
capacitive load drive. For example, increasing the supplies
to
±
15V and gain to 10 allows approximately 2700pF to be
driven.
One method of improving capacitive load drive in the unity
gain configuration is to insert a resistor inside the feedback
loop as shown in Figure 7. This reduces ringing with large
capacitive loads while maintaining dc accuracy. For ex-
ample, with V
S
=
±
1.35V and R
S
= 5k
, the OPA241 and
OPA251 perform well with capacitive loads in excess of
1000pF. Without the series resistor, capacitive load drive is
typically 200pF for these conditions. However, this method
will result in a slight reduction of output voltage swing.
FIGURE 5. Stability–Capacitive Load versus Output Cur-
rent for Low Supply Voltage.
100k
10k
1k
100
C
Output Current (mA)
–1
–0.1
–0.01
0
0.01
0.1
1
Operation above
selected gain curve
not recommended
G = 10
G = –1
G = +1
Sinking
Sourcing
V
S
= +2.7V
V
S
= +5V
FIGURE 6. Stability–Capacitive Load versus Output Cur-
rent for
±
15V Supplies.
100k
10k
1k
100
C
Output Current (mA)
–1
–0.1
–0.01
0
0.01
0.1
1
Operation above
selected gain curve
not recommended
G = 10
G = –1
G = +1
V
S
= ±15V
Sinking
Sourcing
V+
V–
100k
Use offset adjust pins only to null
offset voltage of op amp—see text.
Trim Range: ±2mV
(V–) = 0V for single supply operation.
OPA241
6
7
5
4
3
2
1
0.01μF
0.01μF
FIGURE 4. OPA241 and OPA251 Offset Voltage Trim Circuit.
FIGURE 7. Series Resistor in Unity Gain Configuration
Improves Capacitive Load Drive.
R
S
5k
OPA241
C
L
V
IN
V
OUT