Hi,
I attached a 1k resistor load on a 741 op amp. Specs say max output current is 10-25 mA.
I was surprised to see output voltage drop 5 percent. Current draw wasn't near 10 mA.
I don't expect a 5% voltage drop on a non saturated, feedbacked OPAMP.
Thus I expect the test setup was either in "non feedbacked" condition, or the Opamp output was in "saturated" condition or both.
Also it's not clear if this is a DC test, or an AC test. If AC: what frequency and what waveform?
I also expect that the Opamp behaviour depends on Opamp supply voltage...especially when at or close to saturation.
*******
@OP:
which defines the maximum load that can be connected )
I don't this is true.
There are (at least) to test setups to determine drive caoability.
* with load (typical operating condition), here you have to define THD for AC, or voltage drop for DC
* or without load = short circuit condition, no typical operating condition. Here the output is externally forced to a given voltage. But since this is the "without load" setup it can not be used to determine the max load that can be connected.
You need to define your test conditions.
* supply voltage
* load (resistor, short circuit, constant current)
* load connection (to supply rails, to VCC/2, or anything else)
* limiting condition ( "equal", or "not equal" is no valid condition for an analog system, because you never can expect two analog voltages to be exactly the same. You need to define a deviation.
Klaus