Electronic – Op amp maximum input voltage

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Many Precision Rectifier Single Supply Op Amp circuits feed the input AC waveform into the non-inverting (+) terminal of an op amp e.g. see this schematic:

precision full-wave-rectifier circuit using two op amps and no diodes

Image source: Precision full-wave signal rectifier needs no diodes

Say Vcc = +15V, Vee = 0V, and Vin is an AC input of +/- 5V (10V peak-to-peak), then when Vin is in the negative half-cycle, the first op amp outputs zero volts (it can't go lower), so input V(-) is also 0V via the feedback. Input V(+) however is controlled by the input AC voltage and will fall to -2.5V at its minimum. Now most op amp specs say under Absolute Maximum Ratings: Input Voltage "Vee-0.3V to +32V" say).

My question is, surely Vin at -2.5V is outside of the Absolute Maximum Rating of -0.3V? Also the Common Mode input at -1.25V is outside. So am I missing something? Any light anyone can shed on this will help a lot.

See
https://www.radiolocman.com/shem/schematics.html?di=161475
for the complete article.

Best Answer

With most opamps the problem you describe would exist and could cause damage or unusual operation of the device.

However, the data sheet for the LMC6482 does cover this specific mode of operation. The device will operate within specification provided the current into the input is limited to 5mA or less. It is guaranteed that inversion will not occur and that the output will remain at zero volts. The 1K input resistor does limit the current as required.

As Spehro comments the current is right at the limit and it would be better if R1 and R5 were both increased to 10k or more to give greater margin. Providing the two resistors are the same value the operation of the circuit wouldn't be changed. (avoid very large values or capacitance effects will affect operation).

See section 7.3.2 in the datasheet.

LMC6482 Datsheet