Editing Operational amplifier (section)

=== Open-loop amplifier ===
The magnitude of ''A''<sub>OL</sub> is typically very large (100,000 or more for integrated circuit op amps, corresponding to +100&nbsp;[[Decibel|dB]]). Thus, even small microvolts of difference between ''V''<sub>+</sub> and ''V''<sub>&minus;</sub> may drive the amplifier into [[Clipping (signal processing)|clipping]] or [[Saturation current|saturation]]. The magnitude of ''A''<sub>OL</sub> is not well controlled by the manufacturing process, and so it is impractical to use an open-loop amplifier as a stand-alone [[differential amplifier]].

Without [[negative feedback amplifier|negative feedback]], and optionally [[positive feedback]] for [[Regenerative circuit|regeneration]], an ''[[Electronic feedback loops|open-loop]]'' op amp acts as a [[comparator]], although comparator ICs are better suited.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bryant |first=James |date=2011 |title=Application Note AN-849: Using Op Amps as Comparators |url=https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/application-notes/AN-849.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202080015/https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/application-notes/AN-849.pdf |archive-date=2023-02-02}}</ref> If the inverting input is held at ground (0&nbsp;V), and the input voltage ''V''<sub>in</sub> applied to the non-inverting input is positive, the output will be maximum positive; if ''V''<sub>in</sub> is negative, the output will be maximum negative.