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Values of IB range from 60 fA (about one electron every three microseconds) in the AD549 electrometer, to tens of microamperes in some high speed op amps. Op amps with simple input structures using bipolar junction transistors (BJT) or FET long-tailed pair have bias currents that flow in one direction. More complex input structures (bias-compensated and current feedback op amps) may have bias currents that are the difference between two or more internal current sources, and may flow in either direction.
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Bias current is a problem to the op amp user because it flows in external impedances and produces voltages, which add to system errors. Consider a non-inverting unity gain buffer driven from a source impedance of 1 MΩ. If IB is 10 nA, it will introduce an additional 10 mV of error. This degree of error is not trivial in any system.
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Or, if the designer simply forgets about IB and uses capacitive coupling, the circuit won't work—at all! Or, if IB is low enough, it may work momentarily while the capacitor charges, giving even more misleading results. The moral here is not to neglect the effects of IB, in any op amp circuit. The same admonition goes for in-amp circuits. |
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