LM324N/PB Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The LM324N/PB is a general-purpose operational amplifier integrated circuit manufactured by Texas Instruments, configured as a 4-circuit device in a 14-pin DIP package. This part operates across a wide supply voltage range (3V to 32V) and is suitable for general analog signal processing applications. The LM324N/PB is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing design support and procurement. Substitute parts must maintain electrical compatibility across key parameters including supply voltage range, input bias current, input offset voltage, output current capability, and physical package dimensions.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Amplifier Type	General Purpose	—
Number of Circuits	4	—
Gain Bandwidth Product	1	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	RoHS non-compliant	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the LM324N/PB are grouped based on strict electrical and mechanical compatibility criteria. The primary substitution parameters are:

Critical Compatibility Parameters:

Number of circuits: 4 (all substitutes must be quad-channel amplifiers)
Package type: 14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm) with Through Hole mounting
Supply voltage range: Minimum 3V, Maximum 32V (substitute must support this full range or be compatible within application limits)
Output current per channel: 40 mA minimum
Input bias current: 45 nA nominal (substitutes with lower values are acceptable)
Input offset voltage: 2 mV nominal (substitutes with lower values are acceptable)

Substitution Categories:

Category 1: Direct Electrical Equivalents — Parts with identical or superior electrical specifications within the same supply voltage range and package format. These include LM324N (Intersil) and LM324N/NOPB (Texas Instruments, Active status).

Category 2: Enhanced Performance Substitutes — Parts with improved specifications (higher gain-bandwidth product, lower input offset voltage, extended temperature range) while maintaining package compatibility and supply voltage requirements. These include LT1212CN#PBF, LT1212IN#PBF, LT1214CN#PBF, and LT1216CN#PBF from Analog Devices.

Category 3: Functional Equivalents with Trade-offs — Parts meeting core requirements but with different performance characteristics. KA324A (Fairchild Semiconductor) and OP490GPZ (Analog Devices) fall into this category with specific parameter variations.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Status	Gain BW (MHz)	Input Bias (nA)	Input Offset (mV)	Supply Min (V)	Supply Max (V)	Output/Ch (mA)	Temp Range (°C)	RoHS
LM324N/PB	Texas Instruments	Obsolete	1	45	2	3	32	40	0 to 70	Non-compliant
LM324N	Intersil	Obsolete	—	45	2	3	32	40	0 to 70	Non-compliant
LM324N/NOPB	Texas Instruments	Active	1	45	2	3	32	40	0 to 70	ROHS3 Compliant
KA324A	Fairchild Semiconductor	Active	—	40	1.5	3	32	40	0 to 70	Undefined
LT1212CN#PBF	Analog Devices Inc.	Active	14	50	0.15	2.5	36	50	-40 to 85	ROHS3 Compliant
LT1212IN#PBF	Analog Devices Inc.	Active	14	50	0.15	2.5	36	50	-40 to 85	ROHS3 Compliant
LT1214CN#PBF	Analog Devices Inc.	Active	28	90	0.15	2.5	36	50	-40 to 85	ROHS3 Compliant
LT1216CN#PBF	Analog Devices Inc.	Last Time Buy	23	360	0.25	2.5	36	50	0 to 70	ROHS3 Compliant
OP490GPZ	Analog Devices Inc.	Active	0.02	4.2	0.6	1.6	36	—	-40 to 85	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For Direct Replacement (Electrical and Mechanical Equivalence):

LM324N/NOPB (Texas Instruments) is the primary recommended substitute. This part maintains identical electrical specifications to the LM324N/PB while offering Active product status and ROHS3 compliance. The part is pin-compatible, operates across the same supply voltage range (3V to 32V), and delivers equivalent performance across all critical parameters. Inventory availability is substantial (43,654 units).

LM324N (Intersil) provides electrical equivalence with identical specifications but retains Obsolete status. This part is suitable only when LM324N/NOPB is unavailable and obsolete component acceptance is permitted in the application.

For Enhanced Performance Applications:

LT1212CN#PBF and LT1212IN#PBF (Analog Devices) offer superior performance with 14 MHz gain-bandwidth product, significantly lower input offset voltage (0.15 mV), and extended operating temperature range (-40°C to 85°C). These parts are ROHS3 compliant and Active status. The minimum supply voltage is reduced to 2.5V, and output current per channel increases to 50 mA. These substitutes are appropriate when improved signal fidelity and wider temperature operation are required.

LT1214CN#PBF (Analog Devices) provides the highest gain-bandwidth product (28 MHz) among substitutes, suitable for applications requiring faster signal processing. This part is Active status and ROHS3 compliant. Note that input bias current increases to 90 nA.

For Low-Power Applications:

OP490GPZ (Analog Devices) is suitable only for applications where extremely low supply current (60 µA) is critical. This part has significantly reduced gain-bandwidth product (20 kHz) and is not recommended as a general substitute for the LM324N/PB. Use is limited to specialized low-power designs where the reduced bandwidth is acceptable.

For Compliance-Driven Selections:

When RoHS3 compliance is mandatory, LM324N/NOPB, LT1212CN#PBF, LT1212IN#PBF, LT1214CN#PBF, LT1216CN#PBF, and OP490GPZ all meet this requirement. The LM324N/PB and LM324N (Intersil) are non-compliant and should be avoided in new designs subject to RoHS regulations.

Product Status Considerations:

LM324N/NOPB is the only substitute with Active status and full compliance certifications, making it the preferred long-term solution. LT1212CN#PBF, LT1212IN#PBF, and LT1214CN#PBF are Active. LT1216CN#PBF is Last Time Buy status. KA324A is Active but with undefined RoHS status.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can LM324N/NOPB be used as a direct drop-in replacement for LM324N/PB?

A: Yes. LM324N/NOPB is electrically and mechanically identical to LM324N/PB. Both are 14-pin DIP packages with identical pin assignments, supply voltage ranges (3V to 32V), and electrical specifications. The primary difference is product status (Active vs. Obsolete) and RoHS compliance (ROHS3 vs. non-compliant). No circuit modifications are required.

Q: What is the difference between LT1212CN#PBF and LT1212IN#PBF?

A: Both parts are electrically identical with the same specifications. The difference is in the temperature grade designation: CN indicates commercial temperature range (-40°C to 85°C), while IN indicates industrial temperature range (-40°C to 85°C). For the LT1212 series, both designations cover the same temperature range. Consult Analog Devices documentation for specific grade definitions.

Q: Can I use OP490GPZ as a substitute for LM324N/PB?

A: OP490GPZ is not recommended as a general substitute. While it is a quad operational amplifier in a 14-DIP package, it has fundamentally different performance characteristics: gain-bandwidth product of only 20 kHz (versus 1 MHz for LM324N/PB), extremely low supply current (60 µA), and reduced output current capability. OP490GPZ is designed for ultra-low-power applications and is not suitable for general-purpose amplifier circuits designed for the LM324N/PB.

Q: Are the LT1212, LT1214, and LT1216 series interchangeable?

A: These parts are not interchangeable. While all are quad operational amplifiers in 14-DIP packages with compatible pinouts, they have different electrical specifications. LT1212 has 14 MHz gain-bandwidth product, LT1214 has 28 MHz, and LT1216 has 23 MHz. Input bias current and supply current also differ. Selection must be based on specific application requirements. Substitution between these parts requires circuit analysis to confirm compatibility.

Q: What is the significance of the "/NOPB" suffix in LM324N/NOPB?

A: The "/NOPB" suffix indicates "No Plumbum" (no lead), signifying RoHS3 compliance and lead-free manufacturing. This is distinct from the LM324N/PB designation, which contains lead. For applications subject to RoHS regulations, LM324N/NOPB must be used. The electrical specifications are identical between the two versions.

Q: Can I substitute KA324A for LM324N/PB?

A: KA324A (Fairchild Semiconductor) is electrically compatible with slightly improved specifications: input bias current of 40 nA (versus 45 nA) and input offset voltage of 1.5 mV (versus 2 mV). The package is 14-DIP with identical pinout. KA324A is Active status. However, RoHS status is undefined. This part is suitable as a substitute when improved input characteristics are acceptable and RoHS compliance is not required.

Q: What supply voltage range must I verify when selecting a substitute?

A: The LM324N/PB operates across 3V to 32V. Most substitutes (LM324N, LM324N/NOPB, KA324A) maintain this exact range. However, LT1212CN#PBF, LT1212IN#PBF, LT1214CN#PBF, and LT1216CN#PBF have a minimum supply voltage of 2.5V and maximum of 36V, which is compatible but extends the operating envelope. OP490GPZ has a minimum of 1.6V and maximum of 36V. Verify that your application's supply voltage falls within the substitute part's specified range.

Q: Is the 14-DIP package dimension identical across all substitutes?

A: Yes. All substitute parts listed use the 14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm) package with Through Hole mounting. Physical dimensions and PCB footprints are identical. All parts are compatible with existing PCB layouts designed for the LM324N/PB.

Q: Which substitute offers the best long-term availability?

A: LM324N/NOPB (Texas Instruments) is the recommended choice for long-term availability. It is Active status with substantial inventory (43,654 units) and is the industry-standard replacement for obsolete LM324N/PB devices. LT1212CN#PBF and LT1214CN#PBF (Analog Devices) are also Active with good inventory levels and represent enhanced-performance alternatives.

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