LM386 Audio Power Amplifier

The LM386 is a power amplifier designed for use in low voltage consumer applications.

The gain is internally set to 20 to keep external part count low, but the addition of an external resistor and capacitor between pins 1 and 8 will increase the gain to any value up to 200. The inputs are ground referenced while the output is automatically biased to one half the supply voltage. The quiescent power drain is only 24 mili-watts when operating from a 6 volt supply, making the LM386 audion power amplifier ideal for battery operation.

Features of LM386

• Battery operation

• Minimum external parts

• Wide supply voltage range 4V–12V or 5V–18V

• Low quiescent current drain 4 mA

• Voltage gains from 20 to 200

• Ground referenced input

• Self-centering output quiescent voltage

• Low distortion

• Eight pin dual-in-line package

Applications of LM386

• AM-FM radio amplifiers

• Portable tape player amplifiers

• Intercoms

• TV sound systems

• Line drivers

• Ultrasonic drivers

• Small servo drivers

• Power converters