Prefixes and suffixes of ICs

[LektroiD]

What do they mean?

For example, LM.. TL.. are known to be op amps, but why have two different suffixes for op amps, this goes for other chips, I have a pile of 4000 series chips, some are MC, some TC, some HEF, some CD, etc... what do they mean?

[daverj]

The prefix is the manufacturer and/or series of the part. If a part is licensed from one manufacturer to another, the same prefix is often used by the other manufacturer, though sometimes the other manufacturer will use their own prefix.

The suffix contains multiple pieces of info, such as the version number (A, B, C), the temperature range (commercial vs industrial), and the package type DIP, various different surface mount packages). These are often manufacturer specific.

For example, LM was created by National for their linear parts. TL was created by Texas Instruments for their linear parts. MC was used by Motorola for most of their parts. LT for Linear Technolgy, AD for Analog Devices. etc...

The CD4000 series was originally made by RCA and then licensed to other companies. Motorola sold them as MC14000 series. Toshiba used TC4000 series. TI and Fairchild stuck with RCA's CD naming. Philips did HEF.

[widdly]

There is a U suffix to indicate Unbuffered. Certain circuits require unbuffered CMOS components. For example the TR-909 were the Cymbal, Ride and Hihat's require a CD4011UB. I recently repaired one with a non-working cymbal. It turned out someone had put a CD4011B in. I swapped it out for a CD4011UB and it worked fine. I think some of the distortion pedal circuits require a CD4049UB and the Wasp VCF requires a CD4069UB

[LektroiD]

I have some 4011 ICs here made by RS components, they have no prefix or suffix, how would you know if they are buffered or not?

[Clack]

[widdly]

They stopped making most of the unbuffered parts some time ago so they are harder to find. The 4069 and 4049 can be found but other unbuffered parts are quite rare now days.