EXPERIMENT II

RECTIFIER FILTER, LIMITING

AND CLAMPING CIRCUITS
I. End Result
Study the characteristics of rectifier filter and wave rectifier.

II. Scope
A. Theory
Rectifier Filter
This experiment will discuss one of the application of diode, that is to
convert AC signal to DC signal in a rectifier circuit. The rectifier circuits that
will be discussed include:

Half Wave Rectifier :

With C type Filter
With RC type Filter

Full Wave Rectifier :

With C type Filter
With RC type Filter

The DC signal produced is not entirely even. The quality of this DC

signal can be determined by the amount of ripple factor, which can be sought
out using the following equation :
FR

VR

: Ripple Voltage

VDC

: DC Voltage

FR

: Ripple Factor

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VR
VDC

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More details can be seen in figure 2.1 below

Figure 2.1 Full-wave ripple voltage

The amount of ripple can be minimized by increasing the capacitance of

the capacitors used. The formula used is :

VRIP

I DC
f .C

VRIP is the amount of ripple we want, thus we can determine the value of
the capacitors needed. The above formula applies only if the amount of ripple
we want to achieve is less than 10% of the DC voltage obtained. During the
experiment, we will see the difference between the output generated by a half
wave rectifier and a full wave rectifier. The affects of using C type and RC
type filter with a different capacitance on the ripple produced will also be
evident

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 Limiting and Clamping

Aside from being used as a rectifier, diode is often used in a Limiter and
Clamping circuits.

Limiting circuits is used to cut a certain part of the signal, both positive
and negative.

Clamping circuits is used to shift up or shift down the DC level of the

signal.

Figure 2.2 Limiter and Clamper

Note:
output
input

By utilizing the forward and reverse bias characteristics, we can design

and customize Limiting and Clamping circuits. In the experiment, we will see
how diode and VPS impacts the output from Limiting and Clamping circuits.

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B. Reference
1. Thomas L. Floyd. (2008). Electronic Devices, Conventional Current
Version. Edisi 8. Pearson, Prentice Hall. New Jersey. 978-0-13-615581-2.
2. Kevin F. Brennan & April S. Brown. (2002). Theory of Modern Electronic
Semiconductor Devices. Edisi 1. John Wiley & Sons. New York. 0-47141541-3.
3. Jimmie J.Cathey. (2002). Electronic Devices and Circuits. Edisi 2. McGrawHill. New York. 0-07-139830-9.
4. Floyd, Thomas L.. (2003). Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices and
Applications. Edisi 6. Prentice Hall. New Jersey. 0131111388.
5. Robert L. Boylestad & Louis Nashelsky. (2006). Electronics Device and
Circuit Theory. Edisi 9. Pearson, Prentice Ha. New Jersey. 0-13-197408-4.
6. Robert T. Paynter. (2003). Introductory Electronic Devices and Circuits,
Electron Flow Version. Edisi 6. Pearson, Prentice Ha. New Jersey. 0-13120675-3.
7. Malvino, Albert Paul. (1985). Semiconductor Circuit Approximations. Edisi
4. McGraw-Hill. New York. 0070398984.
8. Millman and Halkias , Integrated Electronics, Mc Graw-Hill, 1982.
9. Malvino, Semiconductor Circuit Aproximation, Prentice-Hall, 1985.
10. Floyd, Electronic Device Conventional Current Version Pearson Prentice
Hall, 2005.

III.

Devices

Oscilloscope

Experiment Box

Discrete Electronics Experiment Module 1

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IV.

Instruction of Laboratory
A. Procedure
1. Half Wave Rectifier with C Type Filter

Figure 2.3

1. Use the C TYPE FILTER module. Release Half/Full Wave button

and release C/RC Filter button to activate HALF WAVE
RECTIFIER WITH C TYPE FILTER.
2. Make sure all DIP Switch pins are down and switch the first pin up to
use the 47F capacitor.
3. Configure the OSCILLOSCOPE, measure the output voltage (VOUT),
compare it with the input voltage (VIN), and plot it in your LPS.
4. Input the data you obtained into the table.
5. Draw the output graph from the each of experiment.
6. Repeat step 2 until 4 using a different capacitor. Switch pin 2 up to use
the 100F capacitor, pin 3 to use the 470F capacitor, and pin 4 to use
the 1000F capacitor.

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Table 2.1
C (F)

VDC (V)

47
100
470
1000
Table 2.2
C (F)

VR

Ripple Factor (FR)

47
100
470
1000

2. Half Wave Rectifier with RC Type Filter

Figure 2.4

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1. Use the RC TYPE FILTER module. Release Half/Full Wave button

and press C/RC Filter button to activate HALF WAVE RECTIFIER
WITH RC TYPE FILTER.
2. Make sure all DIP Switch pins are down and switch the first pin of
both DIP Switch up to use the 47F capacitors.
3. Configure the OSCILLOSCOPE, measure the output voltage (VOUT),
compare it with the input voltage (VIN), and plot it in your LPS.
4. Input the data you obtained into the table.
5. Draw the output graph from the each of experiment.
6. Repeat step 2 until 4 using different capacitors. Switch pin 2 up to use
the 100F capacitor, pin 3 to use the 470F capacitor, and pin 4 to use
the 1000F capacitor.

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Table 2.3
C (F)

VDC (V)

47
100
470
1000

Table 2.4
C (F)

VR

Ripple Factor (FR)

47
100
470
1000

3. Full Wave Rectifier with C Type Filter

DSW2
+15
1N4002

VOUT

ON

1N

VIN

SW1

CT
1K
47uF

100uF

470uF

1000uF

-15
1N

GND

1N4002

Figure 2.5

1. Use the C TYPE FILTER module. Press Half/Full Wave button and
release C/RC Filter button to activate FULL WAVE RECTIFIER
WITH C TYPE FILTER.
2. Make sure all DIP Switch pins are down and switch the first pin up to
use the 47F capacitor.
3. Configure the OSCILLOSCOPE, measure the output voltage (VOUT),
compare it with the input voltage (VIN), and plot it in your LPS.
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4. Input the data you obtained into the table.

5. Draw the output graph from the each of experiment.
6. Repeat step 2 until 4 using a different capacitor. Switch pin 2 up to use
the 100F capacitor, pin 3 to use the 470F capacitor, and pin 4 to use
the 1000F capacitor.

Table 2.5
C (F)

VDC (V)

47
100
470
1000
Table 2.6
C (F)

VR

Ripple Factor (FR)

47
100
470
1000
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The greater the capacitors

capacitance, the smaller the ripple is.
But, which one is better, 2 paralleled
5000F capacitors or 1 10000 F
capacitor ?

4. Full Wave Rectifier with RC Type Filter

DSW3
+15
1N4002

SW2

DSW4

470

ON

1N

VIN

VOUT

ON

CT
1k
47uF

100uF

470uF

1000uF

47uF

100uF

470uF

1000uF

-15
1N

GND

1N4002

Figure 2.6

1. Use the RC TYPE FILTER module. Press Half/Full Wave button

and press C/RC Filter button to activate FULL WAVE RECTIFIER
WITH RC TYPE FILTER.
2. Make sure all DIP Switch pins are down and switch the first pin of
both DIP Switch up to use the 47F capacitors.
3. Configure the OSCILLOSCOPE, measure the output voltage (VOUT),
compare it with the input voltage (VIN), and plot it in your LPS.
4. Input the data you obtained into the table.
5. Draw the output graph from the each of experiment.
6. Repeat step 2 until 4 using different capacitors. Switch pin 2 up to use
the 100F capacitor, pin 3 to use the 470F capacitor, and pin 4 to use
the 1000F capacitor.

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Table 2.7
C (F)
47
100
470
1000

VDC (V)

Table 2.8
C (F)
47
100
470
1000

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VR

Ripple Factor (FR)

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1k

Potensio2
100K

1N4002

1N

1N4002

VSG

SW3

Positive
Clipper

VOUT

Negative
Clipper

VIN

1N

5. Positive Limiter

PSV

PSV

GND

Figure 2.7

1. Press P/N Limiter button to activate the Positive Limiter Module. Turn
on the signal generator (SG).
2. Connect VPS to Digital Power Supply according to the directional sign
(positive voltage from Power Supply to VPS and ground to GND).
3. Set the OSCILLOSCOPE to the DC mode. Measure the VPS on the
Positive Clipping circuit, adjust VPS to 1 V.
4. Set the OSCILLOSCOPE to the AC mode. Measure the VIN, adjust the
SG to 4 VPP and 1 KHz sinusoidal waveform.
5. Set the OSCILLOSCOPE to DC mode and measure the output voltage
(VOUT).
6. Draw the VIN and VOUT signal in one axis on your LPS.
7. Repeat step 3 to 5 by changing the amplitude of the signal to 8 VPP.

VIN 4 VPP

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6. Positive Clamper
+

VSG

SW5

1N4002

1N

1N4002

Negative Clamper

10uF
Positive Clamper

VOUT

Positive Clamper

SW4

10uF

1N

Negative Clamper
VIN

GND

Figure 2.8
1. Press both of the P/N Clamper button to activate the Positive
Clamper Module.
2. Set the OSCILLOSCOPE to the AC mode. Measure the VIN, adjust the
SG to 1 VPP and 1 KHz sinusoidal waveform.
3. Draw the VIN and VOUT signal in one axis on your LPS.
4. Repeat step 2 to 3 by changing the amplitude of the signal to 4 VPP.

VIN 1 VPP

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B. Final reports requirement for minimum grade

1. Give explanation regarding the rectifier filter, limiter, and clamping
circuit!
2. What is a transformer? How does it work?
3. Explain the differences and similarities between a full wave and a half
wave rectifier filter! Which one is better, full wave or half wave?
4. Explain the impact of VPS value and polarity changes to the output in the
Clipping circuits experiment! Analyze the output signal and explain the
result! Simulate the output using Multisim!
5. Explain the operation principle of Clamping circuits and the impact of
each parts in the Clamping Experiment!
6. Explain the impact of Capacitor polarity changes and input voltage to the
output in Clamping circuits experiment! Analyze the output signal and
explain the result! Simulate the output using Multisim!
7. Explain how a diode bridge work and provide an analysis of the output
signal!
8. Explain how the circuits in experiment 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6 work!
9. Provide an explanation regarding the function of C and RC type filter in a
rectifier circuit as well as the differences and similarities between the two!
Which one is better, C or RC type?
10. Analyze why the DC output of an RC type filter rectifier is more even, yet
lower compared to a C type filter rectifier!
11. Analyze what would happen if the diode in a half wave C type filter
rectifier circuit is replaced with a Zener diode. Simulate it on multisim
(provide the output image)!
12. What factors influence the ripple magnitude?
13. Analyse the data obtained during the experiment (the effect of changing
parameters in experiment 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6)! How does it relate
to the explanation given in point 9?
14. Simulate experiment 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6using Multisim! Write
the simulation results in the tables provided!
15. Give conclusions to the experiment you just did (min 8)!

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V.

Attachments
Figure 2.9:
IN4002

220V
CH1

C1

1K

Figure 2.10 :
IN4002

220V

470

CH1
C1

C2

1K

CH2

Figure 2.11 :
IN4002

220V
CH1

IN4002

C1

1K

Figure 2.12 :

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Figure 2.13 :

Figure 2.14 :

Figure 2.15 :

Figure 2.16 :

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