{"schemaVersion":1,"slug":"ansi-operational-amplifier","name":"ANSI operational amplifier (triangle form)","kind":"symbol","abbreviation":"OA","aliases":["triangle op-amp symbol","IEEE op-amp symbol","distinctive op-amp"],"category":"logic-signals","drawingTypes":["Schematic"],"referenceFamilies":["IEEE / ANSI","Manufacturer"],"summary":"Triangle op-amp symbol with minus and plus inputs on the left and the output at the apex.","description":["The triangular op-amp symbol is the most common analogue element in North American and manufacturer schematics. The two inputs enter the flat side, marked minus for inverting and plus for non-inverting, and the output leaves from the apex. Supply pins may be drawn on the sloping sides or omitted.","Schematics often flip the triangle vertically to simplify feedback routing, which swaps the positions of minus and plus. Always read the signs, not the positions, when tracing the circuit.","The symbol does not distinguish between general-purpose, precision, rail-to-rail or high-speed parts. The part number and its datasheet decide performance."],"readingNotes":["Read the minus and plus labels, not their positions.","Supply pins may be hidden in multi-section packages."],"drawingChecklist":["Label both inputs.","Show supply pins or note common supply connections.","Add the part number."],"distinction":"A comparator uses a similar triangle but is designed for open-loop switching, often with an open-collector output.","facts":[{"label":"Inputs","value":"Inverting (-) and non-inverting (+)"},{"label":"Common variation","value":"Flipped vertically for routing"},{"label":"Artwork scope","value":"Original educational illustration; consult the applicable standard and the selected device documentation for the exact graphic"}],"references":[{"sourceId":"pub-electronics-adi-opamp","relevance":"Manufacturer operational amplifier documentation."},{"sourceId":"ieee-315","relevance":"Graphic-symbol standards context; not a source of reproduced artwork."}],"related":["operational-amplifier","iec-operational-amplifier","op-amp-voltage-follower"],"artwork":"s28-ansi-operational-amplifier","publishedOn":"2026-10-28","updatedOn":"2026-10-28","provenance":"independent-public-research","symbolVariant":{"convention":"IEEE / ANSI","form":"Triangle with inverting and non-inverting inputs on the base and output at the apex","reference":"Distinctive-shape form as used in IEEE/ANSI-style schematics and manufacturer data books. Independent educational drawing; exact standard geometry and compliance are not asserted. The counterpart is the matching functional concept; no equivalence of every detailed standard graphic is asserted.","counterpart":"operational-amplifier"},"plainEnglish":{"title":"What does ANSI operational amplifier (triangle form) mean?","introduction":"The triangular op-amp symbol is the most common analogue element in North American and manufacturer schematics. The two inputs enter the flat side, marked minus for inverting and plus for non-inverting, and the output leaves from the apex. Supply pins may be drawn on the sloping sides or omitted.","example":"Schematics often flip the triangle vertically to simplify feedback routing, which swaps the positions of minus and plus. Always read the signs, not the positions, when tracing the circuit.","drawings":"The symbol does not distinguish between general-purpose, precision, rail-to-rail or high-speed parts. The part number and its datasheet decide performance.","terms":[{"name":"Signal","meaning":"Electrical information passed between devices, rather than necessarily the main power supply."},{"name":"Schematic","meaning":"A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance."}],"diagram":"flow","steps":["Identify the device and form","Read the connections and state","Check the equipment reference"],"caption":"A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.","sources":[{"label":"ADA4522-1 — operational amplification","url":"https://www.analog.com/en/products/ada4522-1.html"},{"label":"IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams","url":"https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/315/515/"}],"detail":"Triangle op-amp symbol with minus and plus inputs on the left and the output at the apex. A comparator uses a similar triangle but is designed for open-loop switching, often with an open-collector output.","profileId":"reviewed-symbol-20261028"},"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/ansi-operational-amplifier","illustration":{"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/tools/electrical-library/illustrations/ansi-operational-amplifier.svg","scope":"Original educational concept; not an official standard graphic or product footprint","license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"sources":[{"id":"pub-electronics-adi-opamp","title":"ADA4522-1 — operational amplification","publisher":"Analog Devices","url":"https://www.analog.com/en/products/ada4522-1.html","type":"manufacturer","scope":"Public component description and documentation for operational amplification. Used to support the functional reference, not to prescribe a circuit or redistribute product diagrams.","checkedOn":"2026-10-14","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Manufacturer operational amplifier documentation."},{"id":"ieee-315","title":"IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams","publisher":"IEEE Standards Association","url":"https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/315/515/","type":"standard","scope":"Graphic symbols and designation letters. IEEE lists this edition as Inactive-Reserved; it is a historical reference, not a claim of current compliance.","checkedOn":"2026-10-13","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Graphic-symbol standards context; not a source of reproduced artwork."}]}