LM324NE3 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The LM324NE3 is a general-purpose operational amplifier featuring four independent circuits in a 14-DIP package. Manufactured by Texas Instruments under the LinCMOS™ series, this component operates across a wide supply voltage range of 3V to 32V with a gain-bandwidth product of 1.2 MHz. The device is classified as Last Time Buy, indicating discontinued production. Identifying equivalent and substitute parts is necessary to ensure design continuity and maintain component availability for new production runs and field replacements.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Amplifier Type	General Purpose	—
Number of Circuits	4	—
Gain Bandwidth Product	1.2	MHz
Current - Input Bias	45	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)	32	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 LM324NE3 is determined by strict equivalence across the following critical parameters:

Functional Equivalence Criteria:

Four independent operational amplifier circuits
General-purpose amplifier classification
Supply voltage range: 3V to 32V minimum
Input offset voltage: 2 mV maximum
Supply current: 1.5 mA
Output current per channel: 40 mA
Operating temperature range: 0°C to 70°C
Through-hole mounting in 14-DIP package format

Acceptable Variations:

Gain-bandwidth product: 1.0 MHz to 1.2 MHz (minor performance variation acceptable)
Input bias current: 20 nA to 45 nA (within general-purpose specifications)
Slew rate: when specified, does not restrict substitution
Manufacturer source: multiple qualified manufacturers acceptable
Product status: Active or Obsolete status does not affect electrical compatibility

Substitute parts must maintain identical pinout, package dimensions, and electrical operating characteristics within the specified tolerances.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	LM324NE3 (TI)	LM324AN/NOPB (TI)	LM324N/NOPB (TI)	LM324AN (STMicroelectronics)	LM324N (Intersil)	KA324A (Fairchild)
Manufacturer	Texas Instruments	Texas Instruments	Texas Instruments	STMicroelectronics	Intersil	Fairchild Semiconductor
Number of Circuits	4	4	4	4	4	4
Amplifier Type	General Purpose	General Purpose	General Purpose	General Purpose	General Purpose	General Purpose
Gain Bandwidth Product	1.2 MHz	1 MHz	1 MHz	1 MHz	—	—
Current - Input Bias	45 nA	45 nA	45 nA	20 nA	45 nA	40 nA
Voltage - Input Offset	2 mV	2 mV	2 mV	2 mV	2 mV	1.5 mV
Current - Supply	1.5 mA	1.5 mA	1.5 mA	1.5 mA	1.5 mA	1.5 mA
Current - Output / Channel	40 mA	40 mA	40 mA	40 mA	40 mA	40 mA
Voltage - Supply Span (Min)	3 V	3 V	3 V	3 V	3 V	3 V
Voltage - Supply Span (Max)	32 V	32 V	32 V	30 V	32 V	32 V
Operating Temperature	0 to 70°C	0 to 70°C	0 to 70°C	0 to 70°C	0 to 70°C	0 to 70°C
Package / Case	14-DIP	14-DIP	14-DIP	14-DIP	14-DIP	14-DIP
Mounting Type	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole
Product Status	Last Time Buy	Active	Active	Obsolete	Obsolete	Active
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	RoHS non-compliant	—

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes (Highest Compatibility):

LM324AN/NOPB and LM324N/NOPB from Texas Instruments are the preferred substitutes. Both maintain identical electrical specifications to the LM324NE3, including the LinCMOS™ series designation, 1 MHz gain-bandwidth product, and full ROHS3 compliance. LM324AN/NOPB carries Active product status, ensuring long-term availability. LM324N/NOPB also maintains Active status with higher inventory levels (43,654 units).

Secondary Substitutes (Acceptable with Verification):

LM324AN from STMicroelectronics provides functional equivalence with improved input bias current performance (20 nA versus 45 nA). However, the maximum supply voltage is limited to 30V compared to 32V on the primary part. This substitute is suitable for applications not requiring the full 32V supply range. ROHS3 compliance is maintained.

LM324N from Intersil maintains electrical equivalence but carries Obsolete product status and RoHS non-compliance. This substitute is not recommended for new designs or applications requiring regulatory compliance.

KA324A from Fairchild Semiconductor offers superior input offset voltage (1.5 mV versus 2 mV) and lower input bias current (40 nA). The part maintains Active status and full supply voltage range compatibility. This substitute is suitable for applications requiring tighter offset specifications.

Compliance Considerations:

All primary and secondary substitutes maintain ROHS3 compliance except LM324N (Intersil). For applications subject to environmental or regulatory requirements, LM324N must be excluded from the selection pool.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can LM324AN from STMicroelectronics replace LM324NE3 in all applications?

A: LM324AN is electrically compatible for applications operating at supply voltages up to 30V. The LM324NE3 supports up to 32V. If your circuit operates within the 3V to 30V range, substitution is direct. Applications requiring the full 32V range must use LM324AN/NOPB or LM324N/NOPB from Texas Instruments.

Q: What is the difference between LM324AN/NOPB and LM324N/NOPB?

A: Both parts are manufactured by Texas Instruments with identical electrical specifications. The primary difference is packaging designation: AN denotes plastic DIP packaging, while N denotes standard DIP packaging. Both are functionally equivalent and pin-compatible. LM324N/NOPB has significantly higher inventory availability (43,654 units versus 2,514 units).

Q: Is KA324A from Fairchild a suitable replacement?

A: KA324A is functionally compatible and offers superior input offset voltage performance (1.5 mV versus 2 mV). It maintains the full 3V to 32V supply range and Active product status. KA324A is suitable for applications where tighter offset specifications provide design margin. Pin configuration and package dimensions are identical.

Q: Why is LM324N from Intersil listed as a substitute if it is obsolete?

A: LM324N is included for reference and historical compatibility documentation. While electrically equivalent, its Obsolete status and RoHS non-compliance make it unsuitable for new designs. Existing inventory may be available through secondary distributors for legacy system support only.

Q: Are there any performance differences between the Texas Instruments LM324NE3 and LM324AN/NOPB?

A: The LM324NE3 specifies a gain-bandwidth product of 1.2 MHz, while LM324AN/NOPB specifies 1 MHz. This represents a minor performance variation within general-purpose amplifier specifications. Both parts maintain identical input offset voltage (2 mV), supply current (1.5 mA), and output current (40 mA). The 0.2 MHz difference does not affect compatibility in standard applications.

Q: What is the significance of the "/NOPB" suffix in part numbers?

A: The "/NOPB" suffix indicates "No Plumbum" (lead-free) packaging, confirming RoHS3 compliance. Parts with this designation are suitable for applications subject to environmental regulations and lead-free manufacturing requirements.

Q: Can I use multiple substitute parts interchangeably in the same design?

A: Yes. All listed substitutes maintain identical pinout, package dimensions (14-DIP, 0.300" spacing), and electrical operating characteristics within specified tolerances. They are pin-for-pin compatible and can be used interchangeably in through-hole PCB applications. However, verify supply voltage requirements and compliance certifications for your specific application.

Q: What should I consider when transitioning from LM324NE3 to a substitute part?

A: Verify the following: (1) Supply voltage range requirements do not exceed the substitute's maximum rating; (2) RoHS compliance status matches your regulatory requirements; (3) Gain-bandwidth product meets your frequency response specifications; (4) Input bias current and offset voltage specifications provide adequate design margin. All listed substitutes maintain identical package and pinout compatibility, eliminating PCB redesign requirements.

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