[sdiy] Rails

[Michael Buchstaller]

>Hello - I was hoping that someone could explain what the term "rail/rails"
>means in regards to electronics.  I've picked up that it has to do w/ power
>or power supplies but that's about it. 

Exactly as you have figured out: the "Rails" are the power supply voltages.

In old schematics, you often see two (or more) fat horizontal lines at the top and
bottom of the schematics, being either GND or a supply voltage. Maybe the word
"rails" have come from here.

>"rail to rail amplifiers"

This designates Opamps that are capable of an output swing very close to it´s
operating voltages. (most "usual" opamps can not drive their outputs to the rails,
but have a boundary of 1...3 Volts from there)



-Michael Buchstaller