Electrical – How to deal with strobe and balance pins of this comparator for single supply operation

comparator

I want to use this LM311 comparator with a single supply. But these are pins called balance and strobe which confuses me. What are these for?

In a forum I read someone suggests pin 5 and pin 6 shorted for single supply operation. Should I also ground them? But the data-sheet says: "Do not connect strobe pin directly to ground, because the output is turned off whenever current is pulled from the strobe pin"

These pins should not be kept floating, but how should they be connected in case of single supply operation as a comparator or schmit trigger?

Best Answer

The LM311 has lots of gain, and an output stage with massive transient currents that cause upsets to GND and to rails and to input pins.

You'll likely have oscillation. I suggest you reconsider your choice.