Clipper and Clamper

Eng. Nader Taleb

Fall 2021

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 Exp #4
Clipper and Clamper circuits
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Objectives:
• Check the operation of clipper circuit with different connections.
• Investigate the function of clipper and clamper circuits.

Theoretical Background:
1- Clipper
Clipper circuits have the ability to “clip” off a portion of the input signal without
distorting the remaining part of the alternating waveform. The half wave rectifier of the
previous experiment is an example of the simplest form of diode clipper. Depending on
the orientation of thy diode, the positive or negative region of the input signal is
“clipped” off. There are two general categories of clippers: series and parallel. The
series configuration is defined as one where the diode is in series with the load, while
the parallel variety has the diode in branch parallel to the load.

Clippers are useful for protecting circuits from exceeding various voltages (either
positive or negative).

The following figure (a) shows a diode positive limiter (clipper) that limits or clips the
positive part of the input voltage. As the input voltage goes positive, the diode becomes
forward biased and conducts current. Point A is limited to +0.7 V when the input voltage
exceeds this value. When the input voltage goes back below 0.7 V, the diode is reverse-
biased and appears as an open. The output voltage looks like the negative part of the
input voltage, but with a magnitude determined by the voltage divider formed by R1 and
the load resistor RL.

If the diode is turned around, as in Figure (b), the negative part of the input voltage is
clipped off. When the diode is forward-biased during the negative part of the input
voltage, point A is held at -0.7 V by the diode drop. When the input voltage goes above
-0.7 V, the diode is no longer forward-biased; and a voltage appears across RL
proportional to the input voltage.

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Biased Limiters: The level to which an ac voltage is limited can be adjusted by adding
a bias voltage VBIAS in series with the diode. The voltage at point A must equal VBIAS +
0.7 V before the diode will become forward-biased and conduct. Once the diode begins
to conduct, the voltage at point A is limited to VBIAS + 0.7 V so that all input voltage
above this level is clipped off.

To limit a voltage to a specified negative level, the diode and bias voltage must be
connected as in Figure. In this case, the voltage at point A must go below -VBIAS - 0.7
V to forward-bias the diode and initiate limiting action as shown.

2- Clampers
Sometimes you may want to leave the waveform unchanged, but modify its DC level
up or down. To accomplish this, you can use a clamper circuit. The beauty of clampers
is that they can adjust the DC position of the waveform without knowing what the
waveform actually is. The positive clamper shown in the figure below works as follows:

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In the positive half of the first cycle, the voltage across the capacitor cannot change
instantaneously; therefore, as the voltage on the input moves up, the voltage on the top
of the diode has to follow this voltage. These reverse biases the diode causing it to act
as an open, thus the output voltage follows the input voltage. As the input voltage drops
into the negative half of the first cycle, the diode is going to be forward biased. In the
positive half of the first cycle, the voltage across the capacitor cannot change
instantaneously; therefore, as the voltage on the input moves up, the voltage on the top
of the diode has to follow this voltage.

Positive Clamper adds a positive DC shift to the waveform without changing the shape of the waveform,
except for the startup portion of the waveform.

These reverse biases the diode causing it to act as an open, thus the output voltage
follows the input voltage. As the input voltage drops into the negative half of the first
cycle, the diode is going to be forward biased. This causes the diode to behave like a
wire, which cannot dissipate any voltage. This causes to inter-related effects. First, the
output voltage is held steady at 0V. Second, because there are 0V dissipated across the
diode (and resistor) all of the voltage has to be dissipated across the capacitor. This
charges the capacitor to the magnitude of the input signal.

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 Work Sheet
Part 1: Clipper
• Connect the circuit shown in figure, set the function generator to 20 Vp-p, 1
kHz, sine wave.
• Connect the oscilloscope to Vo.
• Vary the Vbias according to values in the table.
• Plot the output waveform seen in the oscilloscope for each value.

Vbias Max Value of Vo Min Value of Vo

Questions
1. Compute Vo mathematically and plot the output for Vbias =5? Compare the
theoretical values with your practical results.
2. What will affect the 5V DC source if it is connected in reverse? explain the
operation of the circuit in that case and draw the output wave shape.

Using Proteus
For all circuits shown: plot Vo and Vi in the same graph.

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Part 2: Clamper
• Connect the circuit shown in figure, set the function generator to 20 Vp-p, 1
kHz, sine wave.
• Connect the oscilloscope to Vo.
• Vary the Vbias according to values in the table.
• Plot the output waveform seen in the oscilloscope for each value.

Vbias Max Value of Vo Min Value of Vo

Questions
3. Discuss how lowering of RL on the clamper circuit affects the output.

4. Does the input wave shape of the clamper affect the value of DC shift on the
output wave?

Using Proteus
1. For the circuit shown. Plot Vc and Vo.
2. change the value of R (1K, 100k, 10M) and plot the output at each value.