LMV393IDR - TI Low-Voltage Dual Comparator, 2.7–5.5V (SOIC-8)

What Are the Technical Specifications of LMV393IDR?

Key numbers that matter. The 50µA supply current at 2.7V is the standout spec. A standard LM393 pulls 400–1000µA at 5V. In a battery-powered design that spends 99% of its life sleeping, that difference is the gap between a 2-year battery life and a 6-month one.

The propagation delay of 200–600ns is fast enough for 100kHz–500kHz switching converters, overvoltage protection circuits, and zero-crossing detectors. For anything above 1MHz, step up to a dedicated high-speed comparator like the TLV3501 (4.5ns).

When Should You Use (and NOT Use) the LMV393IDR?

✅ Use LMV393IDR when:

• Battery-powered threshold detection (3.3V or 5V rail). The 50µA total quiescent current means the comparator draws less power than most voltage references. For undervoltage lockout or battery-low detection on a Li-Ion pack, it's hard to beat.
• 3.3V microcontroller window comparator. Two channels, open-collector outputs - wire-OR them with a single pull-up to flag whether a signal is inside or outside a voltage window. Common in power-supply sequencing and overvoltage protection.
• Replacing an LM393 in a 5V-only design for lower power. Pin-compatible drop-in. Same SOIC-8 footprint, same open-collector output, same pull-up resistor arrangement. You change the part number, not the PCB.
• Zero-crossing detection on line-powered metering. The input range includes ground (−0.1V), so you can sense AC zero-crossings with a simple resistive divider - no negative rail needed.
• Oscillator and PWM generator circuits under 500kHz. The 200–600ns delay keeps timing accurate at moderate frequencies. For a 100kHz PWM ramp generator, the propagation delay is 2–6% of the period - usable.

❌ Don't use LMV393IDR when:

• Supply voltage above 5.5V. The LMV393's absolute max is 5.5V. For 12V or 24V rails, use the LM393DR (rated to 30V). Same pinout, different voltage class.
• Input signal can go negative by more than 0.3V. The LMV393 has no phase-reversal protection. A −0.5V spike on the input can flip the output state. If your signal source can dip negative, either add a series current-limiting resistor plus Schottky clamp, or use the LM393LVDR (which has built-in protection).
• Propagation delay under 50ns required. For high-speed overcurrent protection or fast fault detection, 200–600ns is too slow. Use a dedicated high-speed comparator like the TLV3501 (4.5ns).
• Sub-2V supply operation. The LMV393 needs at least 2.7V. For 1.8V rails, the LM393LVDR works down to 1.65V.

LMV393IDR Pinout

LMV393 vs LM393: Supply Current at 5V

The LMV393 draws roughly 8–20× less quiescent current than a standard LM393 at 5V. Both are open-collector, same pinout. For a battery-powered device that runs the comparator 24/7, that difference is real.

LMV393IDR vs LM393LVDR: Which Low-Voltage Comparator?

The LV version wins on offset, power, and input protection. The LMV393IDR wins on speed and availability. So which one should you pick?

If your input never goes negative and you need 200–350ns response, the LMV393IDR is the right part. If your signal can dip below ground - or you're running below 2.7V - pay the small premium for the LV.

What Are the Alternatives to LMV393IDR?

LMV393IDR vs LM393DR - the voltage decision. Same pinout, same open-collector output, same SOIC-8 footprint. The difference is entirely about your rail voltage.

If your board runs at 3.3V or 5V, the LMV393IDR gives you the same function at a fraction of the supply current. If your design has a 12V or 24V rail, the LM393DR is the answer - no regulator needed just for a comparator.

What Are the Typical Applications of LMV393IDR?

Battery undervoltage lockout (UVLO). One channel compares a divided battery voltage against a reference (TL431 or bandgap). The open-collector output pulls the enable pin low when the battery drops below threshold. The 50µA quiescent current means the protection circuit itself isn't what drains the battery.

Window comparator for power-supply sequencing. Both channels wired as a window detector - one checks "above minimum," the other checks "below maximum." Wire-OR the two open-collector outputs to a single Power-Good signal. Common in FPGA and multi-rail processor boards where 3.3V, 1.8V, and 1.2V must come up in order.

Zero-crossing detector for AC line metering. The input common-mode range includes ground (−0.1V). A resistive divider from the AC line to the non-inverting input - inverting input tied to ground - produces a clean square wave at each zero-crossing. The 200–600ns delay adds negligible phase error at 50/60Hz.

Oscillator and PWM ramp generator. A simple relaxation oscillator: one channel generates a triangle wave on a capacitor, the other compares it against a control voltage. Adding hysteresis via positive feedback gives clean switching. Reliable up to 200–500kHz with the LMV393IDR's propagation delay.

Why Buy LMV393IDR from ICMASS?

Full batch testing for offset voltage. We screen incoming LMV393IDR lots for input offset voltage - the 7mV max spec matters when you're comparing signals only 50–100mV apart. A part that drifts to 10mV V_OS in a window comparator turns a "Power Good" signal into a "Power Maybe."

Cross-reference support for comparator selection. Not sure whether your design needs an LMV393IDR, LM393DR, or LM393LVDR? Tell us your supply voltage, input signal range, and required response time. We'll recommend the right part - not the most expensive one on the BOM.

Single-source for your signal chain BOM. You're likely ordering LMV393IDRs alongside op-amps (LM358, LM324), voltage references (TL431), ADCs, and MCUs for the same board. We stock the full signal chain - one shipment, one invoice.

Shenzhen warehouse, global express shipping. Same-day dispatch for orders placed before 15:00 CST. DHL/FedEx delivery in 5–10 business days worldwide. Contact us for a same-day quote on your quantity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is the LMV393IDR a drop-in replacement for the LM393DR?

A: Yes - same SOIC-8 pinout, same open-collector output, same pull-up resistor arrangement. But only if your supply voltage is 5.5V or below. The LMV393IDR's absolute max supply is 5.5V, while the LM393DR handles up to 30V. If your board runs at 3.3V or 5V, swapping to the LMV393IDR cuts quiescent current by 8–20× with no PCB changes.

Q2: What happens if the input goes negative on the LMV393IDR?

A: Phase reversal - the output can flip to the wrong state. The datasheet specifies a minimum input voltage of −0.1V. At roughly −0.3V and beyond, the internal input stage can invert, causing the output to go high when it should be low. The LMV393 has no built-in phase-reversal protection. If your signal source can dip negative, add a series resistor (10–100kΩ) to limit current, plus a Schottky clamp to ground. Or use the LM393LVDR, which includes protection.

Q3: What's the difference between LMV393IDR and LM393LVDR?

A: The LV version adds phase-reversal protection, lower offset (2mV vs 7mV max), lower minimum supply (1.65V vs 2.7V), and even lower quiescent current (35µA vs 50µA). The trade-off: it's slightly slower (600ns vs 200–350ns typ). The LMV393IDR is the right choice when speed matters and your input stays within the common-mode range. The LM393LVDR is the safer choice for new designs - fewer ways to get burned.

Q4: Why does the LMV393IDR need a pull-up resistor?

A: The output is open-collector - it can only pull low, not drive high. Without a pull-up resistor to VCC (or a separate logic rail), the output floats and you'll read an undefined voltage. Typical pull-up: 4.7kΩ to 10kΩ. Lower resistance = faster rise time but more current when the output is low. For a 100kHz signal with 10pF load, 10kΩ gives a ~70ns rise time - negligible compared to the 200–600ns propagation delay.

Q5: Can I use the LMV393IDR at 1.8V?

A: No - minimum supply is 2.7V. At 1.8V the internal bias circuits don't operate correctly. For 1.8V rails, use the LM393LVDR (rated down to 1.65V).

Q6: What's the maximum frequency the LMV393IDR can handle?

A: About 500kHz for a clean square wave; 1MHz for rough threshold detection. At 500kHz (2µs period), the 200–600ns propagation delay is 10–30% of the period - the output still switches but the duty cycle accuracy degrades. For a relaxation oscillator, aim for ≤200kHz to keep timing error under 10%.

Q7: LMV393IDR vs LM339DR - which one for multi-channel monitoring?

A: LM339DR if you need 4 channels in one package. The LM339 is a quad comparator with similar specs but wider supply range (2–36V). The LMV393IDR is dual-channel, low-voltage only. If you're monitoring 4 rails and board space is tight, one LM339 replaces two LMV393s. If your design is 3.3V-only, two LMV393IDRs still draw less total current than one LM339.

Q8: Both inputs grounded - what does the output do?

A: Indeterminate. With both inputs at exactly the same voltage (including ground), the comparator output state depends on input offset voltage - which varies part-to-part. The datasheet doesn't guarantee a particular state. In practice, add a few mV of hysteresis or offset one input to force a defined output.

Related Products

• LM393DR - Standard Dual Comparator, 5–30V, same SOIC-8 pinout
• LM393LVDR - Low-Voltage Comparator with Input Protection, 1.65–5.5V
• LM339DR - Quad Comparator, 2–36V, SOIC-14
• LM358DR - Dual Op-Amp, SOIC-8 (for amplifier applications vs comparator switching)
• Comparator vs Op-Amp - When to Use Which