LM386 Low Voltage Audio Power Amplifier IC

The LM386 Low Voltage Audio Power Amplifier IC is a compact mono audio amplifier designed for battery-powered and low-voltage electronic applications. It is commonly used to amplify small audio signals from microphones, radios, audio players and electronic circuits so they can drive a small speaker.

The LM386 has an internally configured voltage gain of 20, allowing basic amplifier circuits to be constructed using only a few external components. By connecting suitable resistor and capacitor components between pins 1 and 8, the gain can be adjusted up to 200.

Its low quiescent current and wide operating-voltage range make it suitable for portable speakers, mini radios, intercom systems, electronic toys, alarm circuits, voice amplifiers and educational audio projects. The IC can operate with speaker loads from approximately 4Ω to 32Ω, depending on the circuit configuration and supply voltage.

The common LM386N-1 version works from approximately 4V to 12V, while certain variants such as the LM386N-4 support higher supply voltages. Always confirm the IC suffix and circuit requirements before applying higher voltages.

The standard 8-pin DIP package is easy to use on breadboards, general-purpose PCBs and prototype boards. It is ideal for students, hobbyists, technicians and electronics developers building compact audio amplifier circuits.

Common Applications

• Mini speaker amplifier circuits
• Portable and battery-powered speakers
• AM/FM radio projects
• Microphone and voice amplifiers
• Intercom systems
• Electronic toys and sound projects
• Alarm and buzzer amplification
• Educational electronics experiments
• Breadboard audio circuits
• Arduino and microcontroller audio projects
• Low-power audio signal amplification
• DIY audio and speaker projects

Package Contents: 1 × LM386 Audio Amplifier IC

Important: This product is an individual amplifier IC and not a ready-to-use amplifier module. External capacitors, resistors, speaker and power supply are required to construct a complete amplifier circuit.