School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering

(SMME)

National University of Science and Technology (NUST)

ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING (EE – 227)

Lab report # 05:

“Clipping Circuit”

Program: BE-Aerospace Semester: 4th

Session: Spring 2025 Course Code: EE-227

ALI TAWASAL 455925

MUHAMMAD UMER 471513
DANIYAL TARIQ 463001

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................3
THEORY................................................................................................................................3
DIODES..............................................................................................................................3
THRESHOLD VOLTAGE (FORWARD VOLTAGE).....................................................4
REVERSE LEAKAGE CURRENT...................................................................................4
BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE...............................................................................................4
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS..............................................................................................5
DIGITAL MULTIMETER.................................................................................................5
RESISTOR..........................................................................................................................5
VOLTAGE SOURCE.........................................................................................................6
APPARATUS........................................................................................................................6
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP....................................................................................................7

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Diode Characteristics.................................................................................................3
Figure 2: Forward and Reverse Bias.........................................................................................4
Figure 3: I-V Characteristic Graph............................................................................................4
Figure 4: Temperature Effects on Diode...................................................................................5
Figure 5: Dual Display Digital Multimeter..............................................................................5
Figure 6: Resistor Colour Coding.............................................................................................6
Figure 7: DC Power Supply......................................................................................................6
Figure 8: Apparatus...................................................................................................................7
Figure 9: Experimental Setup....................................................................................................7
Figure 10: I-V for Forward Bias Silicon Diode........................................................................8
Figure 11: I-V for Forward Bias Germanium Diode.................................................................9

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OBJECTIVE:
This lab aims to develop an understanding of the circuit behavior of various clipping
circuits. It involves constructing different types of clipping circuits using the given equipment. Additionally,
the output waveforms will be observed and analyzed using a digital oscilloscope.

INTRODUCTION:
Clipping circuits are widely used in electronic systems to modify signal waveforms
by limiting voltage levels. These circuits remove portions of a signal that exceed a predefined threshold,
preventing distortion or protecting components from damage. Clipping can be either positive, negative, or
both, depending on the circuit design. This lab focuses on understanding the behavior of various clipping
circuits and their practical applications. The circuits will be constructed using provided components such as
diodes, resistors, and a power supply. A digital oscilloscope will be used to observe and analyze the output
waveforms. By studying these circuits, we can understand how they modify signals and their role in
electronic applications. Clipping circuits are commonly found in communication systems, waveform
generators, and signal limiters. The analysis of these circuits helps in designing systems that require
controlled voltage levels. This experiment will enhance our practical knowledge of circuit behaviour and
waveform analysis.

THEORY:
Clipping circuits are nonlinear circuits that modify the shape of an input signal by removing or clipping
portions of the waveform above or below a certain voltage level. These circuits are commonly used in signal
processing, waveform shaping, and protection circuits to prevent excessive voltage levels from damaging
electronic components.Clipping circuits typically consist of diodes and resistors, which determine the
voltage at which clipping occurs. When the input voltage exceeds the threshold set by the diode
arrangement, the diode becomes forward-biased and conducts, limiting the output voltage. Clipping circuits
can be classified into the following types:

1. Positive Clipper: This circuit removes the positive half of the input waveform when the voltage exceeds
a certain level. It is designed using a diode in series with a resistor, oriented to clip the positive cycle.
2. Negative Clipper: This circuit clips the negative half of the input waveform, allowing only the positive
portion to pass. The diode orientation is reversed compared to the positive clipper.
3. Biased Clipper: A biased clipping circuit allows the user to set a specific clipping level by adding a DC
bias voltage in series with the diode. This shifts the clipping threshold above or below the standard zero
reference.
4. Combination Clipper: This circuit removes both the positive and negative portions of a waveform
beyond set voltage levels, acting as a dual limiter.

The behavior of these circuits can be analyzed using a digital oscilloscope, which helps visualize the output
waveform after clipping. By comparing the input and output signals, we can determine the effectiveness and
characteristics of the clipping circuit. These circuits are widely used in amplifiers, communication systems,
waveform generators, and signal limiters, where controlled signal levels are crucial.

APPARATUS:
 DC Voltage Supply
 Digital Multimeter
 Connecting Wires
 1k Ohm Resistor
 Silicon and Germanium diodes
 Breadboard
 Jumper wires

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 Figure 1: Breadboard

Figure 2.1: Oscilloscope

Figure 3.2: function generator

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:

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The following setup is followed for experimenting and measuring voltage and current for both positive and
negative clipping circuits using both Silicon and Germanium diodes.

1. Positive Clipping Circuit:

 Connect the circuit with a diode in series with a resistor and an AC voltage source (e.g., function
generator).

 For series clipping: Connect the diode in series with the load resistor.
 For shunt clipping: Connect the diode in parallel with the load resistor.
 Set the AC source to a small voltage (e.g., 0 V peak) and gradually increase it.
 Use the oscilloscope to observe the output waveform across the load resistor.
 Note the clipping level and verify it matches the diode's forward voltage drop (0.7V for Silicon, 0.3V
for Germanium).

2. Negative Clipping Circuit:

 Reverse the polarity of the diode.

 Apply an AC voltage and observe the negative half-cycle clipping on the oscilloscope.
 Adjust the input voltage to see how the clipping behavior changes.
 If a DC bias voltage is added in series with the diode, note the shift in clipping level.

The same steps are followed for both Silicon and Germanium diodes to compare their clipping
characteristics.

Figure 4: Experimental Setup

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Circuit Diagram:

Series Clipper Circuit:

Series Positive Clipper

Figure 5 (Series Positive Clipper)

Series Negative Clipper

Figure 6 (Series Negative Clipper)

Shunt Clipper
Positive Shunt Clipper

Figure 7 (Positive Shunt Clipper)

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Negative Shunt Clipper

Figure 8 (Negative Shunt Clipper)

Clipping of Both Half Cycles

Figure 9 (Clipping of both Half Cycles)

Biased Diode Clipping Circuits

Positive Bias Diode

Figure 10 (Positive Bias Diode)

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Negative Bias Diode

Figure 11 (Negative Bias Diode)

Clipping of Different Bias levels

Figure 12 (Clipping of Different Bias levels)

Observations

Series Clipper Circuit

Series Positive Clipper
The output waveform of series positive clipper is given below. As the name suggests, the circuit has clipped
the positive parts of the input waveform. In this circuit, the diode is forward biased and does not allow the
voltage across itself to exceed 0.7 V, thus clipping the positive cycle.

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 Figure 13 (Input-Output waveform of Series Positive Clipper)
Series Negative Clipper:
The output waveform of series negative clipper is given below. In this case, the diode is forward biased
when the circuit undergoes a negative half cycle and thus limits the negative half cycle and doesn’t allow it
to exceed 0.7 V.

Figure 14 (Input-Output Waveform of Series

Negative Clipper)

Shunt Clipper
Positive Shunt Clipper
The output waveform of the positive shunt clipper is shown below. In this circuit, the diode is connected in
parallel with the load. During the positive half-cycle of the input waveform, the diode becomes forward-
biased and conducts, while shorting the positive half-cycle to ground. As a result, the positive half-cycle is
clipped, and only the negative half-cycle appears at the output.

Figure 15 (Input-Output Waveform of Positive Shunt Clipper)

Negative Shunt Clipper

The output waveform of the negative shunt clipper is shown below. In this configuration, the diode is again
connected in parallel with the load but in a way that it conducts during the negative half-cycle. When the
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input waveform goes negative, the diode becomes forward biased and conducts, clipping the negative half-
cycle. Consequently, only the positive half-cycle appears at the output.

Figure 16 (Input-Output Waveform of Negative Shunt Clipper)

Clipping of Both Half Cycles

The output waveform for the clipping of both half cycles is shown below. This circuit uses two diodes, one
for clipping the positive half-cycle and the other for clipping the negative half-cycle. As a result, both the
positive and negative half-cycles of the input waveform are clipped, and the output waveform appears as
shown in the figure below.

Figure 17 (Input-Output Waveform of Clipping of both cycles)

Biased Diode Clipping Circuits
Positive Bias Diode
The output waveform for the positive bias diode clipper is shown below. In this circuit, a DC bias voltage is
applied in series with the diode. The diode conducts when the input voltage exceeds the bias voltage,
clipping the waveform at the bias level. As a result, the positive half-cycle is clipped at the bias voltage,
while the negative half-cycle remains unaffected.

Figure 18 (Input-Output Waveform of Positive Biased Diode)

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Negative Bias Diode
The output waveform for the negative bias diode clipper is shown below. As in the previous one here, a
negative DC bias voltage is applied in series with the diode. The diode conducts when the input voltage goes
below the negative bias voltage, clipping the waveform at the bias level. Consequently, the negative half-
cycle is clipped at the bias voltage, while the positive half-cycle remains unaffected.

Figure 19 (Input-Output Waveform of Negative Biased Diode)

Clipping of Different Bias levels

The output waveform for clipping at different bias levels is shown below. This circuit demonstrates how
varying the bias voltage affects the clipping level. By adjusting the bias voltages for both, the clipping level
can be set to different points. The output waveform shows clipping at the specified bias levels for both
positive and negative half-cycles.

Figure 20 (Input-Output Waveform of clipping of different bias levels)

Procedure:
 Assemble the circuits according to the given circuit diagrams.
 Connect the function generator and set a sine wave with a frequency of around 1 kHz as the input.
 Use the Digital Ray Oscilloscope to observe and analyze the input waveform.
 Examine the output waveform and note the clipping effect.
 Adjust the circuit components if needed to understand their impact on clipping.
 Repeat the procedure for all given clipping circuit configurations.
 Record observations and compare results with theoretical expectations.

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Analysis and Discussion:

The experiment demonstrated the working principles of clipping circuits and how they modify waveforms
by manipulating the waveforms in the required way. Here, we analyzed the behavior of various clipping
circuits, including series clippers, shunt clippers, and biased diode clippers. Each type of clipper
demonstrated a unique way of modifying the input waveform by selectively clipping either the positive or
negative half-cycles, or both. The primary function of these circuits is to clip or in simple words, the
amplitude of the input signal to a desired level, which is important in applications such as signal
conditioning, noise reduction, and waveform shaping.
As can be seen above, in series clippers, the diode is placed in series with the load where the series positive
clipper clips the positive half-cycle when it exceeds the diode's forward bias voltage and the series negative
clipper clips the negative half-cycle, making this configuration simple. In contrast, in shunt clippers, the
diode is placed parallel to the load, with the positive shunt clipper shorting the positive half-cycle to ground
and the negative shunt clipper doing the same for the negative half-cycle, removing one half of the
waveform. Lastly, biased diode clippers use a DC bias voltage with the diode, allowing the positive bias
diode clipper to clip at the positive bias voltage and the negative bias diode clipper to clip at the negative
bias voltage as per the requirements. For this, the output waveform can be varied by varying the voltage
values.
One of the key observations from the experiment is that the choice of clipper circuit depends on the specific
requirements of the application. For instance, if the goal is to remove noise spikes from a signal, a shunt
clipper might be more effective, whereas if the goal is to limit the amplitude of a signal to a specific level, a
biased diode clipper would be more appropriate. The experiment also highlights the importance of correct
circuit connections, as well as the use of an oscilloscope in generating waveforms.
Overall, the experiment successfully demonstrated the practical implementation and analysis of clipping
circuits. By observing the input and output waveforms on the digital oscilloscope, we gained a clear
understanding of how each circuit modifies the input signal.

Conclusion

In this experiment, we gained hands-on experience with different clipping circuits, including series clippers,
shunt clippers, and biased diode clippers. We observed how these circuits modify the input waveform by
removing specific voltage portions. The use of a digital oscilloscope allowed us to analyze the output
waveforms effectively. Clipping circuits play a crucial role in electronics by controlling signal shapes and
voltage levels. They are widely used in applications such as signal conditioning, noise reduction, and voltage
regulation. Understanding their behavior helps in designing efficient electronic systems. The experiment
demonstrated how component selection affects clipping characteristics. By constructing and analyzing
various circuits, we validated theoretical concepts with practical implementation. The observations matched
expected results, confirming the circuit behavior. Overall, this experiment successfully met its objectives by
providing a clear understanding of clipping circuits.

REFERENCES:
1. Schuler, Charles A., Electronics Principles and Applications, 10th Edition, 2024, McGraw Hill
2. Malvino, Albert; Bates, David; Hoppe, Patrick, Electronic Principles, 9th Edition, 2021, McGraw Hill
3. Floyd, Thomas L., Electronic Devices Conventional Current Version, 10th Global Edition, 2018, Pearson
Education

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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

 Ensure the diode is connected with the correct polarity to prevent accidental reverse breakdown.
 Use a current-limiting resistor to avoid excessive current that could damage the diode.
 Set the digital multimeter to the correct mode and range before measuring voltage or current.
 Turn off the power supply before making any circuit adjustments to prevent electric shocks or damage.
 Avoid overheating the diode by limiting the duration of high forward current application.

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