Common Diode Applications

Clippers and Clampers

Pictures are redrawn (with some modifications) from

Introductory Electronic Devices and Circuits
By
Robert T. Paynter

1
 Objectives
• State the purposes served by
clippers and clampers.
• Describe the operation of series and
shunt clippers.
• Describe the effects of negative and
positive clampers on an input
waveform.

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Clipper Diode Circuit

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 Clipper Diode Circuit
Diode circuits which able to “clip” off a portion of the AC wave
(signal) without distorting the remaining part of the alternating
waveform.

The diode “clips” any voltage that does not put it in forward bias. That
would be a reverse biasing polarity and a voltage less than .7V for a
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silicon diode.
 Variations of the Clipper Circuit
By adding a DC source to the circuit, the voltage required to forward
bias the diode can be changed.

5
 Changing Output Perspective

By taking the output across the diode, the output is now the
voltage when the diode is not conducting.

A DC source can also be added to change the diode’s required

forward bias voltage. 6
 Clipper (limiter) circuits. (1)

D1

Vin
Vin - 0.7V
RL

Negative series clipper.

7
 Clipper circuits. (2)

D1

RL
-Vin -Vin+0.7V

Positive series clipper.

8
Clipper circuits. (3)
Vin(pk) RS RL
Vin(pk)
RL  RS
IT
D1 RL

RS

IF
D1 R L -0.7V

Negative shunt clipper.

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Clipper circuits. (4)
RS
+0.7V

D1 RL
IF

RS

IT
D1 RL RL
RL  RS
 Vin(pk) 
-Vin(pk)

Positive shunt clipper.

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Clipper circuits. (5)
RS

VB + 0.7V
RL
VB

RS

RL
VB -VB - 0.7V

Biased shunt clipper.

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Clipper circuits. (6)
RS

Vin +VB
RL

Adjustable shunt clipper.

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 Clipper applications. (1)
+5 V On

IL
D1 Reverse
+5 V
A Off
0V
D2
-5 V IL
Transient
Forward
Free-wheeling diode

Transient-protection circuits
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Clipper applications. (2)

AM detector
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Clamper Diode Circuit

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 Clamper Diode Circuits

A diode in conjunction with a capacitor can be used to “clamp” an

AC signal to a specific DC level.

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 Clamper Diode Circuits
A diode in conjunction with a capacitor can be used to “clamp” an AC signal to a specific
DC level.

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 Variations of Clamper Circuits

The input signal can be any type of waveform: sine, square,

triangle wave, etc.
You can adjust the DC camping level with a DC source.
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Clampers (DC restorers).
Input signal Positive
Load
source clamper

20Vpp
20Vpp 0V 0V

Input signal Negative

Load
source clamper

20Vpp 0V 0V
20Vpp
19
 Clamper operation. (1)

C1 C1
+VS -VS

TC = 5(RD1C1) D1 RL TD = 5(RLC1) D1 RL

Charge Discharge
TC << TD

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Clamper operation. (2)
+5 V
0V
-5 V
VC
VC 5V

5V D1 5V D1
RL RL
On Off

0V

-10 V
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 Clamper circuits.

C1 C1

D1 RL D1 RL

Negative clamper Positive clamper

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