Amplifier Models

An amplifier is an electronic circuit that is used to increase the strength of a signal in terms of
voltage, current, power, etc. It accepts a weak signal at the input terminal and produces a raised
signal at the output, though the output signal is identical to the input signal. The function that an
amplifier performs is known as amplification. The amount of amplification performed by the
amplifier is determined by a factor known as gain of the amplifier.
Depending on the applied input signal and generated output signal, the amplifiers are broadly
classified into two major types namely,
 Voltage Amplifier
 Power Amplifier
In this article, we will highlight all the major differences between voltage amplifier and power
amplifier by considering different parameters such as basic function, transistor size, transistor
gain, load resistance, etc. But, before discussing the differences, let's start with some basics of
voltage amplifier and power amplifier so that it becomes easier to understand the differences
between them.

What is a Voltage Amplifier?

A voltage amplifier is the one that produces an output signal with increased voltage level when
a low voltage signal is input to it. A voltage amplifier is used in such applications where we
need signal transmission at higher voltage through a long wire. Therefore, the voltage amplifier
is similar to a transformer in the sense that it can increase the voltage level of a signal.
A typical circuit of a voltage amplifier is shown in Figure-1. It consists of one BJT (Bipolar
Junction Transistor) and two resistors. Basically, a voltage amplifier is designed to achieve the
highest possible voltage gain. Where, the voltage gain of a voltage amplifier is simply the ratio
of output voltage to input voltage, i.e.

A voltage amplifier draws a very little amount of power from the load. For these amplifiers, the
input signal has very small magnitude, for this reason a voltage amplifier is also called a small
signal amplifier.
The voltage amplifiers are used in various applications such as in wireless communication,
broadcasting of signals, audio equipment like speakers, etc.

What is a Power Amplifier?

As its name implies, a power amplifier is an electronic device which boosts the power level of
an input signal. The circuit diagram of a typical power amplifier is shown in Figure-2. It consists
of a power transistor, as a normal transistor cannot be used in the power amplification. Because,
in a power amplifier, the transistor must be able to handle huge large amount of power.
Since the power of the signal cannot be directly amplified. In actual practice, a voltage amplifier
is placed before the power amplifier which increases the voltage level of the signal. This high
voltage signal at the input of the power amplifier generates a high current signal, and the product
of which provides a signal of high power at the output of power amplifier.
Therefore, the gain of the power amplifier is given by,
The power amplifiers are extensively used in several applications like in headphone drivers,
TVs, mobiles, music systems, microwave ovens, etc.

Difference between Voltage Amplifier and Power Amplifier

The following table highlights all the significant differences between a voltage amplifier and a
power amplifier −
Basis of Difference Voltage Amplifier Power Amplifier
Definition An amplifier which is A type of amplifier which is designed to
designed to increase the boost the power level of the input signal
level of input signal is is called a power amplifier.
called a voltage
amplifier.
Alternate name Voltage amplifier is also A power amplifier is also called a large
called small signal signal amplifier.
amplifier.
Voltage of input The input voltage of a The input voltage of a power amplifier is
signal voltage amplifier is very relatively high of the order of few volts.
low, of the order of
approximately few mV.
Nature of output Voltage amplifier has Power amplifier has high power and low
signal high voltage and low voltage output.
power output.
Size of transistor The transistor used in The transistor used in the circuit of the
used the voltage amplifier power amplifier has relatively larger
circuit is smaller in size. physical size.
β value of transistor The transistor used in The β value of the transistor used in the
the voltage amplifier has power amplifier is low, around 5 to 20.
relatively high β value,
around greater than 100.
Type of coupling The R-C coupling is Power amplifier always uses transformer
usually used in the coupling.
 voltage amplifier.
Collector current (IC) The collector current of The collector current of a power
the voltage amplifier is amplifier is relatively high, greater than
low, approximately 100 mA.
equal to 1 mA.
Base region of The transistor used in The base region of transistor used in the
transistor used the voltage amplifier has power amplifier is comparatively thicker
thin base region as it as it required to handle large current.
handles low current.
Load resistance (RC) In the voltage amplifier, In the power amplifier, the value of load
the load has high resistance is low, around 5 Ω to 20 Ω.
resistance value, around
4 kΩ to 10 kΩ.
AC power output The AC power output of The AC power output of a power
a voltage amplifier is amplifier is comparatively high.
low.
Output impedance Voltage amplifier has The output impedance of a power
high output impedance, amplifier is low, around 200 Ω.
approximately equal to
12 kΩ.
Need of heat sink In case of voltage The heat sink is necessarily required in a
amplifier, there is no power amplifier.
need of heat sink.
Use The voltage amplifier is The power amplifier is usually used at
usually used at the first the last stage of amplification.
stage of amplification.