Power Amplifier Circuit using IC 741 and MOSFET

In this post we study a power amplifier design configured using an ordinary IC 741 and a couple of MOSFETs.

An operational amplifier's output power such as from an IC 741 can be typically enhanced when a complementary emitter follower transistor is coupled at its output. The same could also generally be accomplished using a MOSFET.

By Rakesh More

However, it is not necessarily a smart idea to connect MOSFETs like a complementary source follower simply because the maximum output voltage of the op amp can now be decreased substantially through the MOSFET's gate-source control voltage, which is often a few volts.

A better technique would be to hook up a couple of MOSFETs like a complementary drain follower circuit. This method has been discussed in this proposed IC 741 MOSFET power amplifier circuit article.

Circuit Description

The (switching) output current supplied by the MOSFETs is restricted by the amount of the supply voltages and the saturation voltage outputs from the transistors T3 and T4.

Resistor R8, along with R9, delivers feedback for the opamp and the MOSFETs both. The 741 op amp's open-loop amplification is, consequently, improved by (1 +R8/R9).

The closed-loop amplification of this amplifier design is defined by the value of the expression (1 +R3/R2).

The current source established by T1 and T2 is necessary for creating the quiescent current of T3 and T4 at 50 mA. The R4 and R5 should be such that, in the absence of the current source, the drop in the voltage across the resistors caused by the DC through the opamp is inadequate to switch on T3 and T4.

In the presence of the current source, and depending on how the preset P1 is adjusted, the voltages across R4 and R5 increase which in turn causes the quiescent current through T3 and T4 to increase.

With regard to the temperature dependence of the quiescent current, T2 should be installed on the common heatsink alongside the MOSFETs.

How to Adjust the Quiescent Current

Quiescent current refers to the current consumption of the amplifier during its idle state or in a situation when the volume control is reduced to the minimum level.

The quiescent current of the amplifier can be adjusted through the following points.

• Procure two 100mA 24V bulbs from market.
• Connect these bulbs in series with the +/- supply lines of the amplifier.
• Short circuit the input terminal to ground.
• Connect a speaker at the output.
• Next, switch ON power, the bulbs should illuminate brightly.
• After this, adjust the P1 preset until the bulbs just shut off or the illumination becomes almost zero.
• That's all, the quiescent current of the amplifier is not set.
• Remove the bulbs and restore the circuit to its original form.
• Now you can use the amplifier normally without the danger of over heating the MOSFETs during idle conditions.

Specifications

The output power of this 741 MOSFET power amplifier circuit is approximately 20 W into a 8 Ohm loudspeaker.

At this power specifications the total harmonic distortion of the design can be expected to be around 0.075% at 100 Hz and to 0.135 % at 10 kHz.