CLIPPER CIRCUIT

BRIEF INTRODUCTION: An electronic device that is used to evade the output of a circuit to go
beyond the preset value (voltage level) without varying the remaining part of the input
waveform is called as Clipper Circuit.

Working of Clipper Circuit

The clipper circuit can be designed by utilizing both the linear and nonlinear elements such as resistors,
diodes or transistors. As these circuits are used only for clipping input waveform as per the
requirement and for transmitting the waveform, they do not contain any energy storing element like a
capacitor.

In general, clippers are classified into two types: Series Clippers and Shunt Clippers.

1. Series Clippers
Series clippers are again classified into series negative clippers and series positive clippers
which are as follows:

a. Series Negative Clipper

Series Negative Clipper

The above figure shows a series negative clipper with its output waveforms. During the
positive half cycle the diode (considered as ideal diode) appears in the forward biased and
conducts such that the entire positive half half cycle of input appears across the resistor
connected in parallel as output waveform. During the negative half cycle the diode is in reverse
biased. No output appears across the resistor. Thus, it clips the negative half cycle of the input
waveform, and therefore, it is called as a series negative clipper.

Series Negative Clipper with Positive Vr

Series Negative Clipper with Positive Vr

Series negative clipper with positive reference voltage is similar to the series negative clipper,
but in this a positive reference voltage is added in series with the resistor. During the positive
half cycle, the diode start conducting only after its anode voltage value exceeds the cathode
voltage value. Since cathode voltage becomes equal to the reference voltage, the output that
appears across the resistor will be as shown in the above figure.

Series Negative Clipper with Negative Vr

Series Negative Clipper With Negative Vr

The series negative clipper with a negative reference voltage is similar to the series negative
clipper with positive reference voltage, but instead of positive Vr here a negative Vr is
connected in series with the resistor, which makes the cathode voltage of the diode as
negative voltage. Thus during the positive half cycle, the entire input appears as output across
the resistor, and during the negative half cycle, the input appears as output until the input value
will be less than the negative reference voltage, as shown in the figure.

b. Series Positive Clipper

Series Positive Clipper

The series positive clipper circuit is connected as shown in the figure. During the positive half
cycle, diode becomes reverse biased, and no output is generated across the resistor, and
during the negative half cycle, the diode conducts and the entire input appears as output
across the resistor.
Series Positive Clipper with Negative Vr

Series Positive Clipper with Negative Vr

It is similar to the series positive clipper in addition to a negative reference voltage in series
with a resistor; and here, during the positive half cycle, the output appears across the resistor
as a negative reference voltage. During the negative half cycle, the output is generated after
reaching a value greater than the negative reference voltage, as shown in the above figure.

Series Positive Clipper with Positive Vr

Series Positive Clipper with Positive Vr

Instead of negative reference voltage a positive reference voltage is connected to obtain series
positive clipper with a positive reference voltage. During the positive half cycle, the reference
voltage appears as an output across the resistor, and during the negative half cycle, the entire
input appears as output across the resistor.

2. Shunt Clippers
Shunt clippers are classified into two types: shunt negative clippers and shunt positive clippers.

a. Shunt Negative Clipper

Shunt Negative Clipper

Shunt negative clipper is connected as shown in the above figure. During the positive half
cycle, the entire input is the output, and during the negative half cycle, the diode conducts
causing no output to be generated from the input.

Shunt Negative Clipper with Positive Vr

Shunt Negative Clipper with Positive Vr

A series positive reference voltage is added to the diode as shown in the figure. During the
positive half cycle, the input is generated as output, and during the negative half cycle, a
positive reference voltage will be the output voltage as shown above.

Shunt Negative Clipper with Negative Vr

Shunt Negative Clipper with Negative Vr

Instead of positive reference voltage, a negative reference voltage is connected in series with
the diode to form a shunt negative clipper with a negative reference voltage. During the
positive half cycle, the entire input appears as output, and during the negative half cycle, a
reference voltage appears as output as shown in the above figure.

b. Shunt Positive Clipper

Shunt Positive Clipper

During the positive half cycle the diode is in conduction mode and no output is generated; and
during the negative half cycle; entire input appears as output as the diode is in reverse bias as
shown in the above figure.
Shunt Positive Clipper with Negative Vr

Shunt Positive Clipper with Negative Vr

During the positive half cycle, the negative reference voltage connected in series with the
diode appears as output; and during the negative half cycle, the diode conducts until the input
voltage value becomes greater than the negative reference voltage and output will be
generated as shown in the figure.

Shunt Positive Clipper with Positive Vr

Shunt Positive Clipper with Positive Vr

During the positive half cycle the diode conducts causing the positive reference voltage appear
as output voltage; and, during the negative half cycle, the entire input is generated as the
output as the diode is in reverse biased.

In addition to the positive and negative clippers, there is a combined clipper which is used for
clipping both the positive and negative half cycles as discussed below.
Positive-Negative Clipper with Reference
Voltage Vr

Positive-Negative Clipper with Reference Voltage Vr

The circuit is connected as shown in the figure with a reference voltage Vr, diodes D1 & D2.
During the positive half cycle, the diode the diode D1 conducts causing the reference voltage
connected in series with D1 to appear across the output.
During the negative cycle, the diode D2 conducts causing the negative reference voltage
connected across the D2 appear as output, as shown in the above figure.

Working of Clamper Circuit

The positive or negative peak of a signal can be positioned at the desired level by using the
clamping circuits. As we can shift the levels of peaks of the signal by using a clamper, hence, it
is also called as level shifter.

The clamper circuit consists of a capacitor and diode connected in parallel across the load. The
clamper circuit depends on the change in the time constant of the capacitor. The capacitor
must be chosen such that, during the conduction of the diode, the capacitor must be sufficient
to charge quickly and during the nonconducting period of diode, the capacitor should not
discharge drastically. The clampers are classified as positive and negative clampers based on
the clamping method.
1. Negative Clamper
Negative Clamper

During the positive half cycle, the input diode is in forward bias- and as the diode conducts-
capacitor gets charged (up to peak value of input supply). During the negative half cycle,
reverse does not conduct and the output voltage become equal to the sum of the input voltage
and the voltage stored across the capacitor.

Negative Clamper with Positive Vr

Negative Clamper with Positive Vr

It is similar to the negative clamper, but the output waveform is shifted towards the positive
direction by a positive reference voltage. As the positive reference voltage is connected in
series with the diode, during the positive half cycle, even though the diode conducts, the output
voltage becomes equal to the reference voltage; hence, the output is clamped towards the
positive direction as shown in the above figure.

Negative Clamper with Negative Vr

Negative Clamper with Negative Vr

By inverting the reference voltage directions, the negative reference voltage is connected in
series with the diode as shown in the above figure. During the positive half cycle, the diode
starts conduction before zero, as the cathode has a negative reference voltage, which is less
than that of zero and the anode voltage, and thus, the waveform is clamped towards the
negative direction by the reference voltage value.

2. Positive Clamper

Positive Clamper

It is almost similar to the negative clamper circuit, but the diode is connected in the opposite
direction. During the positive half cycle, the voltage across the output terminals becomes equal
to the sum of the input voltage and capacitor voltage (considering the capacitor as initially fully
charged). During the negative half cycle of the input, the diode starts conducting and charges
the capacitor rapidly to its peak input value. Thus the waveforms are clamped towards the
positive direction as shown above.
Positive Clamper with Positive Vr

Positive Clamper with Positive Vr

A positive reference voltage is added in series with the diode of the positive clamper as shown
in the circuit. During the positive half cycle of the input, the diode conducts as initially the
supply voltage is less than the anode positive reference voltage. If once the cathode voltage is
greater than anode voltage then the diode stops conduction. During the negative half cycle, the
diode conducts and charges the capacitor. The output is generated as shown in the figure.

Positive Clamper with Negative Vr

Positive Clamper with Negative Vr

The direction of the reference voltage is reversed, which is connected in series with the diode
making it as a negative reference voltage. During the positive half cycle the diode will be non
conducting, such that the output is equal to capacitor voltage and input voltage. During the
negative half cycle, the diode starts conduction only after the cathode voltage value becomes
less than the anode voltage. Thus, the output waveforms are generated as shown in the above
figure.
Applications of Clippers and Clampers
Clippers find several applications, such as

They are frequently used for the separation of synchronizing signals from the
composite picture signals.

The excessive noise spikes above a certain level can be limited or clipped in FM
transmitters by using the series clippers.

For the generation of new waveforms or shaping the existing waveform, clippers are
used.

The typical application of diode clipper is for the protection of transistor from
transients, as a freewheeling diode connected in parallel across the inductive load.

Frequently used half wave rectifier in power supply kits is a typical example of a
clipper. It clips either positive or negative half wave of the input.

Clippers can be used as voltage limiters and amplitude selectors.

Clampers can be used in applications

The complex transmitter and receiver circuitry of television clamper is used as a base
line stabilizer to define sections of the luminance signals to preset levels.

Clampers are also called as direct current restorers as they clamp the wave forms to a
fixed DC potential.

These are frequently used in test equipment, sonar and radar systems.

For the protection of the amplifiers from large errant signals clampers are used.

Clampers can be used for removing the distortions

For improving the overdrive recovery time clampers are used.

Clampers can be used as voltage doublers or voltage multipliers.

Simulation of Clippers and Clampers using
MULTISIM

Step 1: Open Multisim from the desktop shortcut OR Go to Windows(Start) ->

Find/Search -> Multisim

Step 2: Go to File-> New -> Design

Step 3: Place the required Components. To do so Click on Place-> Component->

1) Select Sources(Click on Group) to place DC supply, Ac supply, GND etc

To place Resistors ,Capactitors etc Select Basic instead of Sources

Select Diodes to Choose 1N5404 (Common Laboratory Diode )

Construct the Positive Clipper Circuit as shown

Place Oscilloscope as shown(Click on 4th icon on the rightmost side of screen)

Connect the positive terminal of A(CRO) to AC supply +ve and that of B to Output
node

Ground ve terminals of A and B

Simulate the Circuit by clicking Simulate -> Run Or Click the green triangle in the menu bar.

Double Click on the Oscilloscope to view the wave form.

Adjust the Amplitude and Time base as required.( Here amplitude =10 V and Time Base=500 microsecs)

The output has its positive peak clipped as designed.

Brain Exercise: Can you think as why the positive peak is not exactly clipped at 0V?? Hint: Consider Diode
characteristics
Construct the Positive Clipper Circuit with +ve Vr as shown

Observe Output Waveform.

Note that the Positive peak has been clipped to a positive reference level of +2 V.

Construct the Positive Clipper Circuit with -ve Vr as shown

Observe out waveforms as previously discussed.

Note that the Positive peak has been clipped to a negative reference level of -2V.

Construct the Negative Clipper Circuit with +ve Vr as shown

Assignment: Try to Construct the Negative Clipper Circuit with -ve Vr and observe
the waveforms
Construct the Positive Clamper Circuit as shown

The output wave gets clamped in a positive direction when no additional DC bias voltage is given.
Construct the Positive Clamper Circuit with +ve Vr as shown

Output wave (negative peak) gets Clamped to the to given + ve reference Voltage level(2V)
Construct the Negative Clamper Circuit

Output wave (positive peak)is clamped in negative direction.

Construct the Negative Clamper Circuit with +ve Vr as shown

The output Wave( Positive peak) is clamped negatively to a positive Reference voltage of +2 V
Assignment: Construct

1) Positive Clamper with Negative reference Voltage and Observe Output

Waveforms.

2) Negative Clamper with Negative reference Voltage and Observe Output

Waveforms.