LM324N Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The LM324N is a general-purpose operational amplifier integrated circuit containing four independent amplifier circuits in a 14-DIP through-hole package. Manufactured by STMicroelectronics, this device operates across a supply voltage range of 3V to 30V and is rated for 0°C to 70°C operating temperature. The LM324N is classified as obsolete product status, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing design support, production continuity, and component sourcing.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Amplifier Type	General Purpose	—
Number of Circuits	4	—
Slew Rate	0.4	V/µs
Gain Bandwidth Product	1.3	MHz
Current - Input Bias	20	nA
Voltage - Input Offset	2	mV
Current - Supply	1.5	mA
Current - Output / Channel	40	mA
Voltage - Supply Span (Min)	3	V
Voltage - Supply Span (Max)	30	V
Operating Temperature	0 to 70	°C
Package / Case	14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	—
Mounting Type	Through Hole	—
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the LM324N is determined by electrical and mechanical compatibility across the following critical parameters:

Electrical Compatibility Criteria:

Amplifier Type: General Purpose (primary functional requirement)
Number of Circuits: 4 (pin-count and functional equivalence)
Supply Voltage Range: Minimum 3V and maximum ≥30V (operational envelope)
Current - Output / Channel: ≥40 mA (load-driving capability)
Operating Temperature Range: Must encompass 0°C to 70°C minimum
Package / Case: 14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm) (physical and electrical pin compatibility)
Mounting Type: Through Hole (assembly compatibility)

Compliance Criteria:

RoHS Status: ROHS3 Compliant (regulatory requirement)
REACH Status: REACH Unaffected (environmental compliance)

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories: direct pin-compatible replacements with identical electrical performance envelopes, and functional equivalents with comparable performance characteristics that operate within the same application space.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	LM324N (STMicroelectronics)	LM324AN (STMicroelectronics)	LM324AN/NOPB (Texas Instruments)	LM324KAN (Texas Instruments)	LM324KN (Texas Instruments)	LM2902N/NOPB (Texas Instruments)	LM2902KN (Texas Instruments)	KA324A (Fairchild Semiconductor)	LM248N (STMicroelectronics)	LF444ACN/NOPB (Texas Instruments)
Amplifier Type	General Purpose	General Purpose	General Purpose	General Purpose	General Purpose	General Purpose	General Purpose	General Purpose	General Purpose	J-FET
Number of Circuits	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Slew Rate (V/µs)	0.4	0.4	—	0.5	0.5	—	0.5	—	0.5	1
Gain Bandwidth Product (MHz)	1.3	1	1	1.2	1.2	1	1.2	—	1.3	1
Current - Input Bias (nA)	20	20	45	15	20	45	20	40	30	10
Voltage - Input Offset (mV)	2	2	2	2	3	2	3	1.5	1	2
Current - Supply (mA)	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.4	1.5	1.4	1.5	2.1	0.6
Current - Output / Channel (mA)	40	40	40	30	30	40	30	40	25	14
Voltage - Supply Span Min (V)	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	44	44
Voltage - Supply Span Max (V)	30	30	32	30	30	32	26	32	44	44
Operating Temperature (°C)	0 to 70	0 to 70	0 to 70	0 to 70	0 to 70	−40 to 85	−40 to 125	0 to 70	−40 to 105	0 to 70
Package / Case	14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
Mounting Type	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	Vendor Undefined	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant
Product Status	Obsolete	Obsolete	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Obsolete	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes (Direct Replacement):

The LM324AN/NOPB (Texas Instruments) and LM2902N/NOPB (Texas Instruments) are the preferred substitutes for the LM324N. Both parts maintain identical pin configuration, 14-DIP through-hole package, and electrical performance within the LM324N operating envelope. Both are active product status with ROHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected certification. The LM324AN/NOPB operates within the 0°C to 70°C temperature range matching the original specification, while the LM2902N/NOPB extends operation to −40°C to 85°C, providing additional thermal margin for demanding applications.

Secondary Substitutes (Functional Equivalents):

The LM324KAN and LM324KN (Texas Instruments) provide functional equivalence with enhanced performance characteristics. Both maintain the 14-DIP package and general-purpose amplifier topology. The LM324KAN offers improved input bias current (15 nA) and reduced output current per channel (30 mA), while the LM324KN maintains 20 nA input bias current. Both are active product status with ROHS3 compliance.

The LM2902KN (Texas Instruments) extends operating temperature to −40°C to 125°C and maintains electrical compatibility across supply voltage, output current, and input offset specifications. This part is suitable for applications requiring extended thermal operation.

Alternative Topology:

The LF444ACN/NOPB (Texas Instruments) represents a J-FET amplifier topology with significantly lower input bias current (10 pA) and higher slew rate (1 V/µs). This part is suitable only for applications where the J-FET input stage characteristics are compatible with circuit design requirements. The LF444ACN/NOPB operates at fixed ±22V supply (44V span), which differs from the LM324N variable supply range.

Compliance and Availability:

All recommended substitutes maintain ROHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status. The LM324AN/NOPB and LM2902N/NOPB are active products with substantial inventory availability (2514 and 19859 units respectively), ensuring long-term supply continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the LM324AN/NOPB directly replace the LM324N without circuit modification?

A: Yes. The LM324AN/NOPB maintains identical pin configuration, 14-DIP through-hole package, and electrical performance specifications within the LM324N operating envelope. No circuit modification is required for direct substitution.

Q: What is the primary difference between the LM324N and LM2902N/NOPB?

A: Both parts are pin-compatible general-purpose four-circuit operational amplifiers in 14-DIP packages. The LM2902N/NOPB extends operating temperature to −40°C to 85°C compared to the LM324N's 0°C to 70°C range. Electrical performance characteristics including supply voltage range (3V to 32V), input bias current (45 nA), and output current per channel (40 mA) are equivalent.

Q: Why is the LF444ACN/NOPB listed as a substitute if it has different electrical characteristics?

A: The LF444ACN/NOPB is a functional equivalent for applications where J-FET input stage characteristics provide circuit advantages. The J-FET topology delivers significantly lower input bias current (10 pA versus 20 nA) and higher slew rate (1 V/µs versus 0.4 V/µs). However, the fixed ±22V supply requirement (44V span) differs from the LM324N's variable 3V to 30V range. Selection of the LF444ACN/NOPB requires verification that circuit design accommodates the J-FET input stage and fixed supply voltage specification.

Q: Is the KA324A (Fairchild Semiconductor) a suitable substitute?

A: The KA324A maintains pin compatibility, 14-DIP package, and general-purpose amplifier topology. However, RoHS compliance status is vendor undefined, and product status is active. The KA324A is electrically compatible with supply voltage range (3V to 32V), input offset voltage (1.5 mV), and output current per channel (40 mA). Verification of RoHS compliance requirements for your application is necessary before selection.

Q: What is the advantage of the LM324KAN over the standard LM324AN/NOPB?

A: The LM324KAN offers improved input bias current specification (15 nA versus 20 nA) and reduced supply current (1.4 mA versus 1.5 mA). Output current per channel is reduced to 30 mA compared to 40 mA. These characteristics make the LM324KAN suitable for low-power applications where reduced bias current and supply current are beneficial. Verify that the 30 mA output current per channel meets application load requirements.

Q: Can the LM248N substitute for the LM324N?

A: The LM248N is not a direct substitute. While both are general-purpose four-circuit operational amplifiers in 14-DIP packages, the LM248N requires fixed ±22V supply (44V span) compared to the LM324N's variable 3V to 30V range. The LM248N is suitable only for applications designed for fixed dual-supply operation. Additionally, the LM248N is classified as obsolete product status.

Q: What compliance certifications should I verify for substitute part selection?

A: Verify ROHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status for all substitute parts. All recommended primary and secondary substitutes maintain these certifications. The KA324A (Fairchild Semiconductor) has vendor-undefined RoHS status and requires explicit verification before selection in RoHS-regulated applications.

Q: Are there inventory considerations for substitute part selection?

A: Yes. The LM2902N/NOPB has the highest inventory availability (19859 units), followed by the LM324AN (55339 units). The LM324AN/NOPB has moderate availability (2514 units). For long-term production continuity, the LM2902N/NOPB is recommended due to active product status and substantial inventory levels.

Q: What is the operating temperature range consideration for substitute selection?

A: The LM324N operates 0°C to 70°C. Direct substitutes LM324AN/NOPB and KA324A maintain this range. Extended-range alternatives include the LM2902N/NOPB (−40°C to 85°C) and LM2902KN (−40°C to 125°C). Select extended-range parts only if your application requires operation beyond the 0°C to 70°C specification.

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