Unit I:- CLIPPERS AND CLAMPERS

Diode Clippers
A clipper is a circuit that is used to eliminate a portion of an input signal. There are two basic types of clippers: series clippers and shunt/parallel clippers. As shown in Figure 4-1, the series clipper contains a diode that is in series with the load. The shunt clipper contains a diode that is in parallel with the load.

FIGURE 4-1 Basic clippers. The series clipper is a familiar circuit. The half-wave rectifier is nothing more than a series clipper. When the diode in the series clipper is conducting, the load waveform follows the input waveform. When the diode is not conducting, the output is approximately 0 V or fixed dc voltage which is connected in parallel. (Figure 4.2). The direction of the diode determines the polarity of the output waveform. If the diode symbol (in the schematic diagram) points toward the source, the circuit is a positive series clipper, meaning that it clips the positive alternation of the input. If the diode symbol points toward the load, the circuit is a negative series clipper, meaning that it clips the negative alternation of the input (Figure 4.11). With this di Ideally, a series clipper has an output of when the diode is conducting (ignoring the voltage across the diode). When the diode is not conducting, the input voltage is dropped across the diode, and . Unlike a series clipper, a shunt clipper provides an output when the diode is not conducting. For example, refer to Figure 4-1. When the diode is off (not conducting), the component acts as an open. When this is the case, and form a voltage divider, and the output from the circuit is found using

When the diode in the circuit is on (conducting), it shorts out the load. In this case, the circuit ideally has an . Again, this relationship ignores the voltage across the diode. In practice, the output from output of the circuit is generally assumed to equal 0.7 V, depending upon whether the circuit is a positive shunt clipper or a negative shunt clipper. The direction of the diode determines whether the circuit is a positive or negative shunt clipper. The series current-limiting resistor ( ) is included to prevent the conducting diode from shorting out the source. A biased clipper is a shunt clipper that uses a dc voltage source to bias the diode. A biased clipper is shown in Figure 4-2. (Several more are shown in Figures 4.9 and 4.10). The biasing voltage ( ) determines the voltage at which the diode begins conducting. The diode in the biased clipper turns on when the load voltage reaches a value of . In practice, the dc biasing voltage is usually set using a potentiometer and a dc supply voltage, as shown in Figure 4.10.

AEC unit 1 Notes Staff :- KRS TE Dept PESIT Session :- Aug-Dec 2012

Unit I:- CLIPPERS AND CLAMPERS

FIGURE 4-2 A biased clipper. Clippers are used in a variety of systems, most commonly to perform one of two functions: 1. Altering the shape of a waveform 2. Protecting circuits from transients The first application is apparent in the operation of half-wave rectifiers. As you know, these circuits are series clippers that change an alternating voltage into a pulsating dc waveform. A transient is an abrupt current or voltage spike of extremely short duration. Left unprotected, many circuits can be damaged by transients. Clippers can be used to protect sensitive circuits from the effects of transients, as illustrated in Figure 4.12. Various clipper circuits and their waveforms are given below. The output waveforms are taken using Pspice simulation with Vm =+5V, Vbe =0.7V and Vdc =2V .

1. Series positive clipper +ive cycle :- anode is at ground potential and cathode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm For comlpete, cycle, diode become reverse biased and hence Vo =0V -ive cycle :- anode is at ground potential and cathode sees variable -ive voltage from 0 to Vm. So in complete cycle, the diode is forward biased and Vo= Vin + Vd and At negative peak, Vo= -Vm+ Vd = -4.3V

AEC unit 1 Notes Staff :- KRS TE Dept PESIT Session :- Aug-Dec 2012

Unit I:- CLIPPERS AND CLAMPERS

2.Series negative clipper +ive cycle :- cathode is at ground potential and anode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm. So in complete cycle, the diode is forward biased and Vo= Vin - Vd and At positive peak, Vo= Vm- Vd = 4.3V -ive cycle :- cathode is at ground potential and anode sees variable -ive voltage from 0 to -Vm. When magnitude of /Vin/ >Vd diode become reverse biased and hence Vo =0V

3.Shunt positive clipper +ive cycle :- cathode is at ground potential and anode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm When Vin >Vd diode become forward biased and hence Vo =Vd =+0.7V -ive cycle :- cathode is at ground potential and anode sees variable -ive voltage from 0 to Vm. So complete cycle, the diode is reverse biased and Vo= Vin and at negative peak, Vo= -Vm =-5V

AEC unit 1 Notes Staff :- KRS TE Dept PESIT Session :- Aug-Dec 2012

Unit I:- CLIPPERS AND CLAMPERS

4.Shunt negative clipper +ive cycle :- anode is at ground potential and cathode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm So complete cycle, the diode is reverse biased and Vo =Vin At positvive peak Vo=+5V -ive cycle :- anode is at ground potential and cathode sees variable -ive vols from 0 to Vm. When magnitude of in put volatge i.e / Vin/ >Vd, the diode become forward biased and hence Vo =-Vd =0.7V

1.1.Series positve clipper with +ive bias voltage (connected parallel to the load) +ive cycle :- anode is at +Vdc and cathode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm Vin< Vd+Vdc , the diode is forward biased and hence Vo = Vin+Vd When Vin >Vd+Vdc, the diode become reverse biased and hence Vo =+Vdc =2V -ive cycle :- anode is at +Vdc potential and cathode sees variable -ive voltage from 0 to Vm. So complete cycle, the diode is forward biased and Vo= Vin + Vd and at negative peak, Vo= -Vm+ Vd = - 4.3V

1.2.Series positve clipper with -ive bias voltage (connected parallel to the load) +ive cycle :- anode is at -Vdc and cathode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm So complete cycle, the diode is reverse biased and Vo=-Vd =-2V -ive cycle :- anode is at -Vdc potential and AEC unit 1 Notes Staff :- KRS TE Dept PESIT Session :- Aug-Dec 2012

Unit I:- CLIPPERS AND CLAMPERS

cathode sees variable -ive voltage from 0 to Vm. /Vin/< Vd+Vdc , the diode is reverse biased and hence Vo = -Vd When /Vin />Vd+Vdc, the diode become forward biased and hence Vo =+Vdc =2V Vo= Vin + Vd and at negative peak, Vo= -Vm+ Vd = - 4.3V 1.3. Series positve clipper with +ive bias voltage in series +ive cycle :- anode is at ground potental and cathode sees variable +ive voltage of (Vin+Vdc) i.e +Vdc to Vm+Vdc So complete cycle, the diode is reverse biased and hence Vo = 0V -ive cycle :- anode is at ground potential and cathode sees variable voltage from +Vdc to (Vm-Vdc). When the magnitude of Vin i.e /Vin/< Vdc+Vd, the diode is reviese biased and Vo=0V When /Vi/>Vdc+Vd, the diode becomes forward biased and Vo= -Vin + Vdc+Vd = (Vin-Vdc-Vd) and at negative peak, Vo= -Vm+ Vdc+Vd =-5+2+0.7V =-2.3V

1.4.Series positve clipper with -ive bias voltage in series +ive cycle :- anode is at ground potental and cathode sees variable voltage of (VinVdc) i.e Vdc to Vm-Vdc Vin< Vdc-Vd , the diode is forward biased and hence Vo = Vin Vdc +Vd = Vin-(Vdc-Vd) When Vin >Vd+Vdc, the diode becomes reverse biased and hence Vo =0V -ive cycle :- anode is at ground potential AEC unit 1 Notes Staff :- KRS TE Dept PESIT Session :- Aug-Dec 2012

Unit I:- CLIPPERS AND CLAMPERS

and cathode sees variable ive voltage of Vdc to (Vm+Vdc). So in complete cycle, the diode is forward biased and Vo = Vin Vdc +Vd = Vin-(Vdc-Vd) At negative peak, Vo= -Vm-Vdc+Vd =-6.3V

2.1.Series negative clipper with +ive bias voltage (Connected in parallel) +ive cycle :- Cathode is at +Vdc and anoode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm Vin< Vd+Vdc , the diode is reverse biased and hence Vo= +2Vdc When Vin >Vd+Vdc, the diode become forward biased and hence Vo =Vin-Vd . At positive peak, Vo=5-0.7 =4.3V -ive cycle :- cathode is at +Vdc potential and anode sees variable -ive voltage from 0 to Vm. So complete cycle, the diode is reverse biased and Vo=+vd =2v 2.2.Series negative clipper with -ive bias voltage (connected in parallel) +ive cycle :- Cathode is at -Vdc and cathode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm Vin< Vd+Vdc , the diode is forward biased and hence Vo = Vin+Vd When Vin >Vd+Vdc, the diode become reverse biased and hence Vo =+Vdc =2V -ive cycle :- anode is at +vdc potential and cathode sees variable -ive voltage from 0 to Vm. So complete cycle, the diode is forward biased and Vo= Vin + Vd and at negative peak, Vo= -Vm+ Vd =-4.3V AEC unit 1 Notes Staff :- KRS TE Dept PESIT Session :- Aug-Dec 2012

Unit I:- CLIPPERS AND CLAMPERS

2.3.Series negative clipper with +ive bias voltage in series +ive cycle :- cathode is at -2Vdc potental and anode sees variable voltage of 0 to Vm In complete cycle, the diode is forward biased and hence Vo = Vin +Vdc-Vd = Vin+(Vdc-Vd). So at positive peak Vo =Vm+Vdc-Vd =6.3V When Vin >Vd+Vdc, the diode becomes reverse biased and hence Vo =0V -ive cycle :- cathode is at -2Vdc potental and anode sees variable voltage of 0 to -Vm When /Vin/<Vdc-Vd, the diode is forward biased and hence Vo = Vin +Vdc-Vd When /Vin/>Vdc-Vd, the diode is reverse biased and hence Vo = 0V 2.4.Series negative clipper with -ive bias voltage in series +ive cycle :- cathode is at +2Vdc and anode sees variable voltage of 0 to Vm Vin< Vdc+Vd , the diode is reverse biased and hence Vo=0 When Von> Vdc+Vd, the diode becomes forward biased and hence Vo = Vin Vdc -Vd = Vin-(Vdc+Vd). So at positive peak, Vo =2.3V -ive cycle :- cathode is at +2Vdc and anode sees variable voltage of 0 to -Vm So in complete cycle, the diode is reverse AEC unit 1 Notes Staff :- KRS TE Dept PESIT Session :- Aug-Dec 2012

Unit I:- CLIPPERS AND CLAMPERS

biased and Vo = 0V

3.1Shunt positve clipper with +ive shunt bias voltage +ive cycle :- cathode is at +Vdc and anode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm Vin< Vdc+Vd, the diode is reverse biased and hence Vo = Vin When Vin >Vd+Vdc, the diode become forward biased and hence Vo =+Vdc+Vd =2.7V -ive cycle :- cathode is at +Vdc and anode sees variable -ive voltage from 0 to -Vm So complete cycle, the diode is reverse biased Vo= Vin and at negative peak, Vo= -Vm =-5V

Vdc =2V

3.2 Shunt positve clipper with -ive shunt bias voltage +ive cycle :- cathode is at -Vdc and anode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm So complete cycle, the diode is forward biased and Vo = -Vdc+Vd =- (Vdc-Vd)= -1.3V -ive cycle :- cathode is at -Vdc and anode sees variable -ive voltage from 0 to -Vm So when the magnitude of input volatge AEC unit 1 Notes Staff :- KRS TE Dept PESIT Session :- Aug-Dec 2012

Vdc =2V

Unit I:- CLIPPERS AND CLAMPERS

i.e /Vin/< Vdc, the diode is forward biased and Vo = - (Vdc-Vd)= -1.3V So complete cycle, the diode is reverse biased Vo= Vin and at negative peak, Vo= -Vm = -5V

4.1 Shunt negative clipper with +ive bias voltage connected in parallel . +ive cycle :- anode is at +Vdc and cathode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm When Vin<Vdc-Vd, the diode is forward biased and Vo =Vdc-Vd =1.3V When Vin>Vdc-Vd, the diode is reverse biased and Vo =Vin. At positive peak, V0=+5V -ive cycle :- anode is at +Vdc and cathode sees variable -ive voltage from 0 to -Vm So complete cycle, the diode is forward biased and Vo =Vdc-Vd =1.3V

4.2 Shunt negative clipper with -ive bias voltage (connected in parallel) +ive cycle :- anode is at -Vdc and cathode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm So in complete cycle , the diode is reverse biased and Vo =Vin At +ive peak, Vo=+Vm =5V -ive cycle :- anode is at -Vdc and cathode sees variable -ive voltage from 0 to -Vm AEC unit 1 Notes Staff :- KRS TE Dept PESIT Session :- Aug-Dec 2012

Unit I:- CLIPPERS AND CLAMPERS

When the magnitude of Vin i.e /Vin/<Vdc+Vd , the diode is reverse biased and hence Vo=Vin When /Vin/>Vdc+Vd , the didoe becomes forward biased and Vo = -Vdc-Vd =-2.7V

5.Two side clipper :- (Combination of positive shunt clipper with +ive bias and negative shunt clipper with negative bias) +ive cycle :Cathode of D1 is at +Vdc1 and anode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm Anode of D2 is at Vdc2 and cathode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm For complete cycle, diode D2 is reversed biased When Vin<Vdc1+Vd1, both D1 & D2 are reverse biased So Vo =Vin When Vin>Vdc+Vdc1, D1 becomes forward biased and D2 in reverse biased condition. Vo =Vdc1+Vd1 =2.7V -ive cycle :Cathode of D1 is at +Vdc1 and anode sees variable -ive voltage from 0 to -Vm Anode of D2 is at Vdc2 and cathode sees variable -ive voltage from 0 to Vm For complete cycle, D1 is reverse biased When /Vin/<Vdc2+Vd2, both D1 & D2 are reverse biased So Vo =Vin When /Vin/>Vdc2+Vd2, D2 becomes forward and D1 in reverse biased condition. Vo =-Vdc2-Vd2 = -2.7V In this type, the positive and negative clipping level can be independently varied

AEC unit 1 Notes Staff :- KRS TE Dept PESIT Session :- Aug-Dec 2012

Unit I:- CLIPPERS AND CLAMPERS

6.1 Two level clipper where Vdc1> Vdc2 (note If Vdc1< Vdc2, both diodes conduct and it is not desirable condition) Assune ideal diode +ive cycle :Cathode of D1 is at +Vdc1 and anode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm Anode of D2 is at +Vdc2 and cathode sees variable +ive voltage from 0 to +Vm
Condition Vin <Vdc2 Vdc1>Vin >Vdc2 Vin >Vdc1 D1 OFF OFF ON D2 ON OF F OF F Vo Vdc2 =25v Vin Vdc1 =100V

-ive cycle :Cathode of D1 is at +Vdc1 and anode sees variable -ive voltage from 0 to -Vm Anode of D2 is at +Vdc2 and cathode sees variable -ive voltage from 0 to Vm So complete cycle, D2 is forward iased, &1 is reversed So Vo = Vdc2

6.2. two side clipper +ive cycle

Condition Vin = 0 Vin = 0 to 25V >Vin >25V Vin = 25V to 137.5V Vin> 137.5V D1 OFF OFF OFF D2 OFF OFF ON Vo Vdc2 =25V Vdc2 =25V Vo = 25V+ VR2 = 25V+2/3 *Vin

ON

ON

Vo=Vdc1 =100V

So get Vo =100V dc , Vin = 137.5V AEC unit 1 Notes Staff :- KRS TE Dept PESIT Session :- Aug-Dec 2012

Unit I:- CLIPPERS AND CLAMPERS

Negative cycle, both D1 & D2 does not conducts So Vo= 25V

Clampers (DC Restorers) A clamper is a circuit that is designed to shift a waveform above or below a dc reference voltage without altering the shape of the waveform. This results in a change in the dc average of the waveform. Both of these statements are illustrated in Figure 4-3. (The clamper has changed the dc average of the input waveform from 0 V to +5 V without altering its shape.)

FIGURE 4-3 A clamper with its input and (ideal) output waveforms. There are two basic types of clampers: A positive clamper shifts its input waveform in a positive direction, so that it lies above a dc reference voltage. For example, the positive clamper in Figure 4-3 shifts the input waveform so that it lies above 0 V (the dc reference voltage). A negative clamper shifts its input waveform in a negative direction, so that it lies below a dc reference voltage. Both types of clampers, along with their input and output waveforms, are shown in Figure. The direction of the diode determines whether the circuit is a positive or negative clamper. Clamper operation is based on the concept of switching time constants. The capacitor charges through the diode and discharges through the load. As a result, the circuit has two time constants:

For the charge cycle, For the discharge cycle,

and and

(where (where

is the resistance of the diode) is the resistance of the load)

Since is normally much greater than , the capacitor charges much more quickly than it discharges. As a result, the input waveform is shifted as illustrated in Figure 4.16.

AEC unit 1 Notes Staff :- KRS TE Dept PESIT Session :- Aug-Dec 2012

Unit I:- CLIPPERS AND CLAMPERS

A biased clamper allows a waveform to be shifted above (or below) a dc reference other than 0 V. Several examples of biased clampers are shown in Figure 4-4.

FIGURE Several biased clampers. The circuit in Figure (a) uses a dc supply voltage (V) and a potentiometer to set the potential at the cathode of . By varying the setting of , the dc reference voltage for the circuit can be varied between approximately 0 V and the value of the dc supply voltage. The zener clamper in Figure (b) uses a zener diode to set the dc reference voltage for the circuit. The dc reference voltage for this circuit is approximately equal to . Note that zener clampers are limited to two varieties: Negative clampers with positive dc reference voltages Positive clampers with negative dc reference voltages

Positive clamper

Positive clamper First positive cycle:Diode is reverse biased and Vo= Vin . First negative cycle:Diode is forward biased and capacitor is charging with very low time constant. At negative peak, Vc=Vm -Vd After peak diode becomes reverse biased as Vc>Vin. Vo = Vin+Vc Subsequent positive and negative cycles :- Time constant of Capacitor discharge is very high.(=C*100k). In each negative

AEC unit 1 Notes Staff :- KRS TE Dept PESIT Session :- Aug-Dec 2012

Unit I:- CLIPPERS AND CLAMPERS

cycle, Vc charges to max. value. In both cycles Vo= Vin + Vc

When Vdc =2V

Here Vc capacitor voltage charges to higher voltage i.e Vc=Vm + Vdc -Vd Other explanation is same as for the positive clamper.

When Vdc =-2V

Here Vc capacitor voltage charges to lower voltage i.e Vc=Vm -Vdc -Vd Other explanation is same as for the positive clamper.

Negative clamper

Negative clamper First positive cycle:Diode is forward biased and capacitor is charging with very low time constant. At positive peak, Vc=Vm.-Vdc After

AEC unit 1 Notes Staff :- KRS TE Dept PESIT Session :- Aug-Dec 2012

Unit I:- CLIPPERS AND CLAMPERS

peak, diode becomes reverse biased as Vc>Vin. Vo = Vin-Vc Subsequent negative and positive cycles :- Time constant of Capacitor discharge is very high.(=C*100k). In each positive cycle, Vc charges to max. value. In both cycles Vo= Vin Vc. (Vin is +ive for positive cycle and ive for negative cycle)

When Vdc =- 2V
Here Vc capacitor voltage charges to higher voltage i.e Vc=Vm + Vdc -Vd Other explanation is same as above

Unit I /d:- Practical Applications There are many practical applications of diode . few which we study this semester are Polarity Insurance:- This circuit is mainly used to protect the expensive system against the reverse polarity voltage . A diode is connected at in put as shown below

Normal condition diode is reverse biased and voltage is applied across the system. When in put is reverse biased, then diode becomes reverse biased and only 0.7 is applied to system thus protecting the system against the over voltage Polarity Detector :- This circuit is mainly used to identify the polarity of the unknown voltage Given dc voltage is to be connected to the Diode & LED circuit as given below

If terminal A is +ive and B is -ive then , D1 is forward biased and Led L1 glows. If terminal A is -ive and B is +ive then , D2 is forward biased and Led L2 glows. AEC unit 1 Notes Staff :- KRS TE Dept PESIT Session :- Aug-Dec 2012