Please excuse me if this is embarassingly obvious but when I buy an op amp how do I know which pins are inverting/noninverting/output/etc ? Is there some kind of industry standard that I haven't spotted?

Also, to clear this up, which is the correct numbering convention for the pins (I've seen both):

eg...

1 5
2 6
3 7
4 8

or,

1 8
2 7
3 6
4 5

Thanks,
Paul. :oops:

Hi Paul,

Most op-amps follow the same pinouts, at least when you talk about chips with two or four amps. The single op-amps vary quite a bit more.

The second set of pin numbers you listed are correct. The numbers increment as you travel around the chip. I've never seen a chip with the first configuration. DIP/SOIC/PLCC packages always have the lowest and highest pin numbers at the same end (DIP/SOIC) or next to each other (PLCC).

The best way to find this kind of data is to search at Google with the part number and the word datasheet. Try to go to the manufacturers site for the data if you can.

Take care,
-Peter

Thanks Peter, that's loads of help. It's funny that I thought the numbering was the other way, can't remember where I saw it but I was fairly convinced that was the right way.

I would just like to take this oppertunity to say that I've just built my first ever effect! Fuzz, of course. I'm so chuffed and I've got loads of ideas to improve it.  

Cheers,
Paul.

  CONGRATULATIONS!    

I've seen that other numbering style along with a third one (zig-zag between the rows) used for dual row headers and similar interconnects. That's the great thing about "standards"... there are so many conflicting ones.

-Peter