EXPERIMENT 3

Clipper and Clamper Circuits

OBJECTIVES
 To understand the basic application of diode like clipper and clampers
 To understand the basic circuit of clamper and implement their practical implementation

THEORY
1 Introduction

A semiconductor diode is a non-linear device, which behaves as a small resistance in its forward
direction and acts as a large resistance in its reverse direction. This is displayed in the Volt-
Ampere (V-I) characteristic which is a graph of current vs. voltage for a diode. By linearizing the
V-I characteristic, a diode circuit model is obtained known as a piecewise linear model.

2 Diode clipper circuits

A clipper is a circuit in which the output of an input sinusoidal (or any time-dependent signal)
waveform can be clipped at different levels. A clipping circuit requires at least two fundamental
components, a diode and a resistor. A DC battery, however, is also frequently used. The output
waveform can be clipped at different levels simply by interchanging the position of the various
elements and changing the magnitude of the DC battery. Generally, ideal diodes are considered
and the complete analysis can be based on non-ideal diodes with specific V-I characteristic.
For networks of this type, it is often helpful to consider particular instants of the time-varying
input signal to determine the state of the diode (ON or OFF). Keep in mind that even the though
input varies, at a specific time instant this time varying signal can be replaced by a DC source of
the same value. Figure 1 shows examples of various clipping circuits. Please note that the input
to all circuits is a sinusoidal waveform.
 V V
+ + out + + out
R R t
V V V t V V
in out in out
V V V
- - - -

V
V out
out
+ + + +
R R
V V t V V V t
in out in out
V V V
- - - -

Figure 1: Clipping circuits

For two circuits on the left, the maximum output voltage is clipped at Vout = V. (Ideal
diode) For two circuits on the right the minimum output voltage is clipped at Vout= V. (Ideal
diode) For a non-ideal diode, maximum or minimum output voltage is Vout = V + Vd, or –V
- Vd where Vd is the voltage drop across the diode.

3 Diode clamper circuits

A clamper is a circuit which will add or subtract a DC component from any input voltage. The
clamping circuit has a minimum requirement of three elements: a diode, a capacitor, and a
resistor. The clamping circuit may also include a DC battery. It is usually advantageous when
examining clamping circuits to first consider the conditions that exist when the input is such that
the diode is forward-biased. Figure 2 shows examples of various clamping circuits and their
output waveforms. Note that the input is a square wave with peak-to-peak value of 2V. The
peak-to-peak value of all the output waveforms is always 2V but the waveforms are shifted
depending on the dc-biasing of the circuits.
 Vin Vin
Output waveforms Output waveforms
t t

Vout V
+ + + + out
C C
V V V
t V V V t
in R out in R out
V V
- - - -

V Vout
+ + out + +
C C
V V t V V t
in R out in R out
V V V V
- - - -

Figure 2: Clamping circuits

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
4. Limiting Circuits

a) You have a sinusoidal input which is 1 KHz and 16V peak-to-peak. Design a circuit that
would limit the output to a maximum of 5V on the positive cycle and a minimum of 3V
on the negative cycle. Test your circuit. Sketch the output.

b) Assemble the circuit in Fig. 9 with Vin as a DC source. You need to vary Vin from -8 to
8V in the steps of 2V. Using “5V-fixed” terminals of the other power supply (the black one)
make V1=5V. Use the other variable DC terminal to make V2=-3V. Measure the output
(Vout). Fill out the table below and draw the relationship between Vin and Vout.
 Table 1: Voltage limiting circuit result

Vin (V) -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8

Vout(V)

+ +
R
V V
in V V out
- 1 2 -

Fig. 9
5. CLAMPING CIRCUITS
a) Connect the circuit of fig. 10 with C= 22 F, R=300K  , and voltage V=0.
b) Apply a square wave input signal of 12 V peak to peak at a frequency of 1 kHz.
c) Use the DC-Coupling on the oscilloscope and sketch the output Vout and input Vin.
d) Set the value of V to 6 volts and repeat steps a-c. Compare the results of steps c), and d).

+ +
C
V V
in R out
V
- -

Fig. 10

e) If the diode was considered an ideal diode, what would be the clamping voltages for
V=0 and V=6V.

6. QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION

1. How would you identify the anode of an unmarked diode using a DMM?
2. Under what conditions will a diode turn-on? Explain.
 Lab Exercise and Summary
Summary should cover Introduction, Procedure, Data Analysis and Evaluation.
Student’s Signature: ________________ Date: ________________
 LABORATORY SKILLS ASSESMENT (Psychomotor)
Total Marks: 100

Criteria Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Score

(Max Marks) 0% ≤ S < 50% 50% ≤ S< 70% 70% ≤ S< 90% 90%≤ S ≤100% (S)
Procedural Selects Selects and Selects and applies Selects and
Awareness inappropriate applies the appropriate applies
(20) skills and/or appropriate skills strategies and/or appropriate
strategies and/or strategies skills specific to strategies and/or
required by the required by the the task without skills specific to
task task with some significant errors the task without
errors any error
Practical Makes several Makes few Makes some non- Applies the
Implementation critical errors in critical errors in critical errors in procedural
(30) applying applying applying knowledge in
procedural procedural procedural perfect ways
knowledge knowledge knowledge
Safety Requires Requires some Follows safety Routinely follows
(10) constant reminders to procedures with safety procedures
reminders to follow safety only minimal
follow safety procedures reminders
procedures
Use of Uses tools, Uses tools, Uses tools, Uses tools,
Tool/Equipment equipment and equipment and equipment and equipment and
(20) materials with materials with materials with materials with a
limited some competence considerable high degree of
competence competence competence
Participation Shows little Demonstrates Demonstrates Actively helps to
to Achieve commitment to commitment to commitment to identify group
Group Goals group goals and group goals, but group goals and goals and works
(10) fails to perform has difficulty carries out effectively to
assigned roles performing assigned roles meet them in all
assigned roles effectively roles assumed
Interpersonal Rarely interacts Interacts with Interacts with all Interacts
Skills in positively other group group members positively with all
Group Work within a group, members if spontaneously group members
(10) even with prompted and encourages
prompting such interaction in
others

Marks Obtained

Instructor’s Signature: ________________ Date: ________________

 LABORATORY SKILLS ASSESMENT (Affective)
Total Marks: 40

Criteria Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Score

(Max. Marks) 0% ≤ S < 50% 50% ≤ S < 70% 70% ≤ S < 90% 90% ≤ S ≤ 100% (S)

Introduction Very little Introduction is Introduction is Introduction complete

(5) background brief with some nearly complete, and well-written;
information minor mistakes missing some minor provides all necessary
provided or points background principles
information is for the experiment
incorrect
Procedure Many stages of Many stages of The procedure could The procedure is well
(5) the procedure are the procedure be more efficiently designed and all stages
not entered on are entered on designed but most of the procedure are
the lab report. the lab report. stages of the entered on the lab
procedure are report.
entered on the lab
report.
Data Record Data is brief and Data provides Data is almost Data is complete and
(10) missing some significant complete but has relevant. Tables with
significant pieces information and some minor units are provided.
of information. has few critical mistakes. Graphs are labeled. All
mistakes. questions are answered
correctly.
Data Analysis Data is presented Data is Data is presented in Data are presented in
(10) in very unclear presented in ways (charts, tables, ways (charts, tables,
manner. Error ways (charts, graphs) that can be graphs) that best
analysis is not tables, graphs) understood and facilitate understanding
included. that are not clear interpreted. Error and interpretation.
enough. Error analysis is included. Error analysis is
analysis is included.
included.
Report Report contains Report is Report is well Report is well
Quality many errors. somewhat organized and organized and cohesive
(10) organized with cohesive but and contains no
some spelling or contains some grammatical errors.
grammatical grammatical errors. Presentation seems
errors. polished.

Marks Obtained

LABORATORY SKILLS ASSESSMENT (Cognitive)

Total Marks: 10
(If any)
Marks Obtained

Instructor’s Signature: ________________ Date: ________________