Renesas CA3420EZ
- Part No.:
- CA3420EZ
- Manufacturer:
- Renesas
- Category:
- Instrumentation, Op Amps, Buffer Amps
- Package:
- 8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
- Datasheet:
-
CA3420EZ.pdf
- Description:
- IC OPAMP GP 1 CIRCUIT 8DIP
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:767
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Product details
Overview
CA3420EZ from Intersil is a BiMOS operational amplifier featuring 0.5MHz gain-bandwidth, 1pA typical input current, rail-to-rail output swing, and operation from 2V to 20V total supply voltage. It delivers ±2mA drive into 1kΩ, supports input offset nulling, and is optimized for ultra-high-impedance signal conditioning in battery-powered pH probes and picoammeters.
For engineers reviewing the CA3420EZ datasheet, CA3420EZ pinout, CA3420EZ application, or CA3420EZ equivalent, key selection criteria include guaranteed sub-5pA input current at 125°C, common-mode input range extending 0.45V below V−, internal unity-gain stability, and Pb-free PDIP packaging compatible with wave soldering only.
Technical Context
The CA3420EZ integrates PMOS input transistors with bipolar output stages on a single monolithic die, enabling >150TΩ input resistance and <1pA input current while maintaining 1.5mA minimum output drive. Its bootstrapped guardbanding network suppresses thermal leakage doubling across −55°C to +125°C.
Internally phase-compensated for unity-gain stability, it provides access to offset null pins (1 and 5), external frequency roll-off capacitor terminal (8), and rail-to-rail output via feedback OTA architecture-achieving VOM+ ≥ 9.7V and VOM− ≤ −9.7V at ±10V supplies.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Gain Bandwidth Product | 0.5 MHz - sets maximum closed-loop bandwidth for stable unity-gain follower use |
| Input Current (Typ) | 1 pA - enables picoampere-level current measurement without significant error |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2V to 20V total - supports single-supply (e.g., +2V to GND) and dual-supply (±10V) operation |
| Rail-to-Rail Output | VOM+ ≥ 9.7V / VOM− ≤ −9.7V @ ±10V - delivers full dynamic range into high-impedance loads |
| Common-Mode Input Range | Extends to 0.45V below V− - allows direct sensing near ground in single-supply configurations |
| Offset Null Pins | Pins 1 and 5 - enable trimming of input offset voltage to <5mV for precision DC amplification |
| Thermal Stability | Input current remains essentially constant to 85°C - critical for field-deployed electrometer instruments |
Pinout & Package
CA3420EZ is housed in an 8-lead PDIP package (JEDEC MS-001-BA, drawing E8.3), Pb-free with 100% matte tin plating, rated for wave soldering only-not reflow. Dimensions: 0.400″ × 0.300″ × 0.195″ (10.16mm × 7.62mm × 4.95mm).
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Offset Null (−) | Connects to potentiometer wiper for input offset voltage adjustment |
| 2 | Inverting Input | High-impedance PMOS gate node; accepts signals down to 0.45V below V− |
| 3 | Non-Inverting Input | High-impedance PMOS gate node; common-mode range matches Pin 2 |
| 4 | V− (Negative Supply) | Reference for internal biasing; common-mode input extends 0.45V below this pin |
| 5 | Offset Null (+) | Completes nulling circuit with Pin 1; required for sub-5mV DC accuracy |
| 6 | Output | OTA-based rail-to-rail stage; sources/sinks ±2mA into 1kΩ load |
| 7 | V+ (Positive Supply) | Supplies internal PMOS and bipolar circuitry; supports up to 20V total supply |
| 8 | Strobe / External Compensation | Accepts external capacitor for added frequency roll-off beyond internal compensation |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| BiMOS Input Stage | Combines PMOS gate protection with bipolar output drive-enabling >150TΩ input resistance and 1.5mA output current |
| Guardbanding Leakage Control | Reduces thermal doubling of input leakage-ensures <5pA max input current at 125°C |
| Single-Supply Compatibility | Input common-mode range includes 0.45V below V−-supports 0–2V or 0–5V sensor interfacing without level-shifting |
| Unity-Gain Stable | No external compensation required for follower or buffer use-reduces BOM count and layout complexity |
| Pb-Free PDIP Packaging | RoHS-compliant 100% matte tin finish-qualified for wave solder only; avoids lead-free reflow compatibility issues |
Applications
| pH Probe Amplifier | Picoammeter Circuit |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Amplifying microcurrents from glass electrode pH sensors in portable or field-deployed analyzers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-Z buffer and transimpedance amplifier with sub-pA input bias to prevent electrode polarization. Use Value: Enables accurate pH measurement down to 0.01 pH unit resolution using 10GΩ feedback resistor without drift-induced error. | Use Scenario: Measuring currents from 1.5pA to 500pA in lab-grade metrology equipment. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Ultra-low-input-current op-amp configured as current-to-voltage converter with guarded input path. Use Value: Achieves ±1.5pA full-scale range with <0.2pA typical input current-eliminates need for chopper stabilization in DC-coupled designs. |
| Electrometer Instrument | Battery-Powered Medical Sensor |
Use Scenario: Building handheld electrometers for surface charge or ion current detection in cleanroom or biomedical settings. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Front-end amplifier with >1,000,000MΩ input resistance and active guarding via Pin 8. Use Value: Sustains >1000-hour battery life on two AA cells while maintaining >100dB CMRR and <10μV/°C offset drift. | Use Scenario: Signal conditioning for implantable or wearable biosensors operating from coin-cell batteries. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-power, rail-to-rail output amplifier interfacing with ADC in ultra-low-power medical telemetry systems. Use Value: Operates down to 2V supply at 350μA quiescent current-extends usable battery voltage range by 1.5V versus standard 741-class amplifiers. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar ultra-low-input-current operational amplifier applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLC27L2CP | CMOS input (not BiMOS); 0.6pA input current typ but degrades faster above 25°C; no offset null pins | Lacks rail-to-rail output and offset trimming-unsuitable for precision DC picoammeter front-ends | Prefer CA3420EZ where long-term thermal stability and sub-5mV DC accuracy are required |
| OPA128SM | Electrometer-grade FET input; 0.05pA input current typ; DIP-8 but higher cost and limited temp range (−40°C to +85°C) | Superior noise and leakage but lacks internal phase compensation-requires external compensation for unity-gain use | Choose CA3420EZ when unity-gain stability, extended temperature range (−55°C to +125°C), and Pb-free compliance are mandatory |
Compared with TLC27L2CP and OPA128SM, the CA3420EZ uniquely combines guaranteed 1pA input current to 85°C, internal unity-gain compensation, offset null capability, and military-grade temperature range-all in a RoHS-compliant PDIP package qualified for wave soldering.
Availability
CA3420EZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for pH probe amplifiers, picoammeters, electrometer instruments, and battery-dependent medical equipment requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.
Supply support for CA3420EZ includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.
Manufacturer
Intersil Corporation, now part of Renesas Electronics, designs high-performance analog and power management ICs for industrial, aerospace, and medical applications.
The CA3420EZ belongs to Intersil's legacy BiMOS op-amp product line-engineered specifically for ultra-high-impedance, low-power, wide-temperature instrumentation where input leakage and DC accuracy dominate design constraints.
FAQ
What is the maximum operating temperature range for the CA3420EZ?
The CA3420EZ is rated for continuous operation from −55°C to +125°C. This extended temperature range is validated per Intersil's absolute maximum ratings and thermal characterization data, making the CA3420EZ suitable for military, aerospace, and harsh-environment field instrumentation where reliability across extreme ambient conditions is essential. The CA3420EZ maintains specified input current and offset voltage performance throughout this full range.
Does the CA3420EZ support single-supply operation?
Yes, the CA3420EZ supports true single-supply operation with a total supply voltage as low as 2V. Its input common-mode range extends to 0.45V below the negative supply rail, allowing the V− pin to be tied to ground while accepting input signals near 0V. The rail-to-rail output stage further enables full-swing signal delivery in single-supply configurations-critical for portable pH meters and battery-powered electrometers using the CA3420EZ.
Is the CA3420EZ pin-compatible with the LM741?
Yes, the CA3420EZ is explicitly designed as a pin-compatible upgrade to the LM741 in 8-lead PDIP packages. Pin assignments-including V+, V−, inverting/non-inverting inputs, output, and offset null terminals-match the industry-standard 741 footprint. However, unlike the 741, the CA3420EZ requires no external frequency compensation for unity-gain stability and delivers rail-to-rail output swing, significantly enhancing performance in existing 741-based layouts without PCB modification.
Can the CA3420EZ be used with reflow soldering processes?
No, the CA3420EZ's Pb-free PDIP package is qualified for wave soldering only-not reflow. Per Intersil's ordering information note, these devices use special Pb-free material sets incompatible with reflow peak temperatures. Attempting reflow may damage the package or compromise solder joint integrity. For surface-mount alternatives requiring reflow, engineers should evaluate other BiMOS or JFET op-amps in SOIC or TSSOP packages-not the CA3420EZ.
What is the purpose of Pin 8 on the CA3420EZ?
Pin 8 on the CA3420EZ serves a dual function: it acts as a strobe input for certain test modes and-more commonly-as a connection point for an external capacitor to augment internal frequency compensation. Adding a capacitor between Pin 8 and ground introduces additional roll-off, improving stability in high-gain or capacitive-load applications where the internally compensated 0.5MHz GBW may otherwise risk oscillation. This flexibility is documented in the CA3420EZ functional diagram and electrical specifications.
CA3420EZ Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Renesas
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Active
- Amplifier Type:
- General Purpose
- Number of Circuits:
- 1
- Output Type:
- Rail-to-Rail
- Slew Rate:
- 0.5V/µs
- Gain Bandwidth Product:
- 500 kHz
- -3db Bandwidth:
- -
- Current - Input Bias:
- 0.05 pA
- Voltage - Input Offset:
- 5 mV
- Current - Supply:
- 450µA
- Current - Output / Channel:
- 2.6 mA
- Voltage - Supply Span (Min):
- 2 V
- Voltage - Supply Span (Max):
- 20 V
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 125°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- 8-PDIP
CA3420EZ FAQ
1.How can I place an order for CA3420EZ through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for CA3420EZ on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for CA3420EZ reliable?
The price and inventory of CA3420EZ are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for CA3420EZ is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for CA3420EZ?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for CA3420EZ transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for CA3420EZ?
CA3420EZ orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your CA3420EZ order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for CA3420EZ?
For technical support, including CA3420EZ datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your CA3420EZ requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that CA3420EZ is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All CA3420EZ products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that CA3420EZ meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of CA3420EZ?
All CA3420EZ units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with CA3420EZ, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The CA3420EZ part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for CA3420EZ:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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