Instrumentation: Get to know op amps; use a curve tracer: For the out of the ordinary application, it is not surprising to find op amp spec sheets wanting

Working with operational amplifiers often requires no more information about their characteristics than is provided in manufacturers' spec sheets. But under nontypical conditions, such as use of a +5-volt and a +5-volt power supply instead of the standard ±15 volts, most spec sheets are inadequate. In such cases, a curve tracer is a valuable tool for determining what to expect from the op amp. The instrument is also useful for verifying op-amp manufacturers' claims under standard conditions.