Experiment No.

Understand the behaviour of Series and Parallel Clamping circuits.

(Rubrics)

Name: _______________ Roll No.: ____________________

A. PSYCHOMOTOR
Sr. Criteria Allocate Unacceptable Poor Fair Good Excellent Total
No. d Marks Obtained
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
1 Set up Circuit 3 0 0.75 1.5 2.25 3

2 Follow 2 0 0.5 1 1.5 2

Procedures
3 Accuracy in 1 0 0.5 1 1.5 1
measurements
Sub Total 6 Sub Total marks Obtained in Psychomotor(P)

B. AFFECTIVE

Sr. Criteria Allocated Unacceptable Poor Fair Good Excellent Total

No. Marks Obtained
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
1 Respond to 2 0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Questions
2 Lab Report 2 0 0.5 1 1.5 2

Sub Total 4 Sub Total marks Obtained in Affective (A)

Instructor Name: _Amber Tariq______________ Total Marks (P+A): _____________________

Instructor Signature: _______________________ Obtained Marks (P+A): _________________

 Understand behaviour of Series and Parallel Clamping Circuits
Objective:

To calculate, draw, and measure the output voltage of clampers.

Equipment:
Oscilloscope, DMM, 1.5-V D cell and holder, Silicon Diode, Capacitor (1uF), Function generator,
Resistors (100-Ω, 1-kΩ, 100-kΩ)

Theory:
Clampers are designed to "clamp" an alternating input signal to a specific level without altering the
peak-to-peak characteristics of the waveform. Clampers are easily distinguished from clippers in
that they include capacitive element. A typical clamper will include a capacitor, diode, and resistor,
with some also having a DC battery. The best approach to the analysis of clampers is to use a step-
by-step approach. The first step should be an examination of the network for that part of the input
signal that forward biases the diode. Choosing this part of the input signal will save time and
probably avoid some unnecessary confusion. With the diode forward biased the voltage across the
capacitor and across the output terminals can be determined. For the rest of the analysis, it is then
assumed that the capacitor will hold on to the charge and voltage level established during this
interval of the input signal. The next part of the input signal can then be analysed to determine the
effect of the stored voltage across the capacitor and the open-circuit state of the diode on the output
voltage.
The analysis of a clamper can be quickly checked by simply noting whether the peak-to-peak
voltage of the output signal is the same as the peak-to-peak voltage of the applied signal. It is a
characteristic of clamper that must be satisfied.

Procedure:
Part1. Threshold Voltage
Determine the threshold voltage for the silicon diodes the diode-checking capability of the DMM or
a curve tracer. Round off to the hundredths place when recording in the designated space below. If
the checking capability or curve tracer is unavailable, assume VT = 0.7 V for the silicon diode and
0.3 V for the germanium diode.

VT (Si) = __________________
Part 2. Clamper
a. Construct the network of Fig. 6.1 and record the measured value of R.
Vc
+ -

+
C
1μ F
8 Vp -p 100 k Ω
si VO
F = 1000 Hz
-

Figure 6.1: Circuit Diagram

R(meas) = __________

Using the value of V T from Part 1, calculate VC and Vo for the interval of that causes the diode to be
in the "on" state and off state. Record these values in table 6.1.

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Table 6.1: Calculated voltage values at capacitor and output for clamper circuit
Diode State Vc (Calculated) Vo (Calculated)
Diode on
Diode off

b. Using the table 6.1, sketch the expected waveform for Vo in Fig. 6.2 for one full cycle of Vi.
Use the horizontal center axis as the Vo = 0 V line. Record the chosen vertical and horizontal
sensitivities below:

Vertical sensitivity =___________________

Horizontal sensitivity =_________________

 Figure 6.2: Calculated Results

Using the sensitivities of Part 2(b), use the oscilloscope to view the output waveformV0. Be sure to
preset the V o = 0 V line on the screen using the GND position of the coupling switch (and the DC
position to view the waveform). Record the resulting waveform on Fig. 6.3.
Vertical sensitivity =__________________
Horizontal sensitivity =________________

Figure 6.3: Measured Results

Part 3. Clampers with a DC Battery

a. Construct the network of Fig. 6.4 and record the measured values of R and E.
 Vc

+ -

C
8 Vp-p 1μF
100 k Ω Vo
si
F=1000Hz
-

DC
1.5 V
Supply

Figure 6.4: Circuit Diagram

R (meas) = __________
E (meas) =___________________
Using the value of V T from Part 1, calculate V C and Vo for the interval of that causes the diode to
be in the "on" state and off state. Record these values in table 6.2.
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Table 6.2: Calculated voltage values at capacitor and output for clamper circuit with dc battery
Diode State Vc (Calculated) Vo (Calculated)
Diode on
Diode off

c. Using the table 6.2, sketch the expected waveform for V o in Fig. 6.5 for one full cycle of Vi.
Use the horizontal center axis as the V o = 0 V line. Record the chosen vertical and
horizontal sensitivities below:

Vertical sensitivity =___________________

Horizontal sensitivity =_________________

 Figure 6.5: Calculated Results

c. Using the sensitivities of Part 3(b), use the oscilloscope to view the output waveform v0. Be sure
to preset the V o = 0 V line on the screen using the GND position of the coupling switch (and the DC
position to view the waveform). Record the resulting waveform on Fig. 6.6.

Figure 6.6: Measured Results

Vertical sensitivity =__________________

Horizontal sensitivity =________________
 Lab Report
Objective:
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Lab Discussion:

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Conclusion:

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