How to Use LM358 OP-AMP: Pinout, Features & Circuits

One day, I asked my friend, who is an electrical appliance mechanic, “What is the most common OP-AMP you’ve seen?” He said it is the LM358; it is shaped like a 741, while overall being better.

Inside the LM358 are two independent operational amplifiers that share a voltage supply. It has a maximum frequency response of 1MHz and has a power supply range of  3V to 32V in single supply and ±1.5V to ±16V in dual supply mode.   

LM358 Dual Operational Amplifier

As mentioned above, the LM358 is a single-supply dual operational amplifier integrated circuit. It can be used in both single- and dual-supply applications and has a wide range of voltage supply, from 3V to 32V. Which means that this chip works with a 5V supply commonly used in a logic circuit.

This chip is a sister chip to the quad OP-AMP LM354; they both use the same circuit design. But whereas the LM354 has four OP-AMPs, the LM358 only has two. Furthermore, this chip is relatively better when compared to the 741, as it has significantly lower quiescent currents.

Features

  • Internally frequency-compensated
  • Large DC voltage gain: 100 dB
  • Large output voltage swing 0 V to (VCC+ – 1.5V)
  • Wide bandwidth (unity gain): 1.1 MHz (temperature compensated)
  • Very low supply current per operator, essentially independent of supply voltage
  • Low input bias current: 20 nA (temperature compensated)
  • Low input offset voltage: 2 mV
  • Low input offset current: 2 nA
  • Input common-mode voltage range includes negative rails
  • Differential input voltage range equal to the power supply voltage

LM358 Pinout

LM358 pinout

Specifications and Power Supplies

  • Supply voltage range of +3V (±1.5V) to +32V (16V)
  • Recommended operating temperature of 0°C to +70°C
  • Maximum input offset voltage of 7mV
  • Maximum input offset current of 50nA
  • Power dissipation of 830mW for plastic DIP unit

Power Supply Configurations

When using the LM358, it is important to also use a decoupling capacitor. Normally, the decoupling capacitor is 0.01μF. For a single-supply configuration, the capacitor is added across Vcc and Vee. But for a split-supply configuration, one capacitor is placed between Vcc and ground, while the other is between Vee and ground, as shown below.

single supply for LM358


Single Power Supply Configuration

spilt supply for LM358


Split (Dual) Power Supply Configuration

Furthermore, always make sure to apply the supply voltage to the chip in the correct polarity or place the chip in the correct orientation. Applying a power supply with the wrong polarity will cause damage to the chip and kill it.

Applications

We use the LM358 in many applications, namely:

  • Comparators
  • Differential amplifiers
  • Oscillators and function generators
  • Active filters
  • Signal conditioning

Equivalents for LM358

If the LM358 is unavailable, you could instead substitute an IC with similar functions, such as LM354, LM1458, or JRC4558. 

LM358 Datasheets

Here are the datasheets for the LM358 from their manufacturers.

  • LMx58 by ON Semiconductor
  • LMx58 by Texas Instruments 

How to Use LM358 in Circuits 

Many circuits utilize the basic functions of an OP-AMP, and because the LM358 is a popular OP-AMP chip, many of those circuits incorporate the chip as a core component. Let’s take a look at some of these circuits to better understand this chip and how to use it.

[…]


Extended content available on Patreon

The full version includes deeper technical discussion, experimental insights, and clean PDF downloads with high-resolution diagrams — all ad-free.

👉 Read more on Patreon

📘 Get Ebook: Simple Electronics VOL.5

2 thoughts on “How to Use LM358 OP-AMP: Pinout, Features & Circuits”

  1. Thank so much for the info about LM358, I don’t kow if trying to repair SM components is for me in my 70’s with failing eyesight but none the less I will probaly have a go.
    Keep up the good work my friend & God bless the fmily.
    Best wihes Robert C.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.