Clippers & Clampers

Zenerdiodeapplication

Clippers
Clippers or diode limiting is a diode network that have the ability to
clip off a portion on the i/p signal without distorting the remaining part
of the alternating waveform.
Clippers are used to eliminate amplitude noise or to fabricate new
waveforms from an existing signal.
2 general of clippers:
a) Series clippers
b) Parallel clippers
Series Clippers
The series configuration is defined as one where the diode is in series
with the load.
A half-wave rectifier is the simplest form of diode clipper-one resistor
and diode.

+
-

+
Vi

RL Vo

Clipper Diode Circuit

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 0.7V for a silicon diode.

 The half-wave rectifier with addition of dc supply is shown in

following figure. The cct known as biased series clipper. The dc
supply have pronounced effect on the o/p of a clipper.
Our initial discussion will be limited to ideal diode.

Vi

Vm
0

T/2

Vi

RL Vo

Biased series clipper

4

Vi
Vm
0

Vo

T/2

+
T

+ -

Vi=Vm

Vm-V

+
RL Vo

T/2

Vi=V (diodes change state)

+ve region turn the diode ON.

-ve region turn the diode OFF.
Vi > V to turn ON the diode
In general diode is open cct (OFF state) and short cct (ON state)
For Vi > V the Vo = Vi V
For Vi = V the Vo= 0 V
The complete cct shown above
5

Example: Variations of the Clipper Circuit

Determine the o/p waveform for the network below:

Solution:

More Example:
Repeat previous example for the square-wave i/p.

V=5 V

Vi

20
0

T/2

-+

-10

Vi

+
RL Vo

Parallel Clippers
The diode connection is in parallel configuration
with the o/p.
Diode is ideal

RL

+
Vi

+
Vo

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 diodes required

forward bias voltage.
9

Example :
Determine the Vo and sketch the o/p waveform for
the below network
RL
Vi
16

T/2

Vi

Vo

V=4 V

-16

10

Solution:
+ ve region
RL

Vo

Vi

V=4 V

Vi
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
16

Diode state
ON
ON
ON
ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF

Vo
V=Vo
V=Vo
V=Vo
V=Vo
Vi=Vo
Vi=Vo
Vi=Vo
Vi=Vo

Vi
16

RL

Vo

Vi

V=4 V

T/2

-16

Vo
16
4
0

T/2

11

Solution (continued):
- ve region
VRL=0A

Vi

Vo

id=0A

V=4 V
Vi
16

T/2

Vi

Diode state

Vo

-1

ON

V=Vo

-2

ON

V=Vo

-3

ON

V=Vo

-4

ON

V=Vo

-5

ON

V=Vo

-6

ON

V=Vo

-7

ON

V=Vo

-16

ON

V=Vo

-16

Vo
16
4
0

T/2

12

Example :
Repeat the previous example using a silicon diode with VD=0.7 V
Solution:
RL

id=0A

Vi

V D=0.7 V

V=4 V

Vo

Vi VD V 0
Vi V VD
4 0. 7
3 .3V
13

Solution (continued):
For i/p voltages greater than 3.3 V the diode open cct and Vo=Vi.
For i/p voltages less than 3.3 V the diode short cct and the network result
as/;
RL

V D=0.7 V
id=0A

Vi

Vo 4 0. 7
3 .3V

V=4 V

Vo

Vo
16

The resulting o/p waveform

3.3
0

T/2

14

Clipper Circuits Summary

15

Clipper Circuits Summary

16

Clampers
The clamping network is to clamp a signal to a different dc level. Also
known as dc restorers. The clamping cct is often used in TV receivers as a
dc restorer.
The network consists of:
a) Capacitor
b) Diode
c) Resistive element
d) Independent dc supply (option)
The magnitude of R and C must be chosen such that the time constant
= RC is large enough to ensure that the voltage across the capacitor does
not discharge significantly during the interval the diode is nonconducting.
Our analysis basis that all capacitor is fully charge and discharge in 5
time constant.

17

V
0

-V

Vi

T/2

Vi

+
R Vo

18

Operation of clamper
+ ve region

0 - T/2: Diode is ON state (short-cct

equivalent)
Assume RC time is small and
capacitor charge to V volts very quickly
Vo=0 V (ideal diode)

+ +
R

Vi

V
0

-V

Vo

Vi

T/2

- ve region
+C V
V

+
Vo

+
R

Vo

T/2 T: Diode is OFF state (open-cct

equivalent)
Both for the stored voltage across
capacitor and applied signal current
through cathode to anode
KVL: - V- V- Vo = 0 and
Vo = -2V

19

Tips : Clamping network

Total swing o/p signal = the total swing i/p signal

20

Example:
Determine Vo for the network below:
Vi
f=1000 Hz

10
0

+
t1

t2

t3

t4

Vi

-20

C= 1 uF

+
Vo
R=100 kohm

V= 5 V

21

Solution:
Step 1: Consider the part of i/p signal that will forward bias the
diode. From network (t1 -t2:-ve region)
Vi
f=1000 Hz

10
0

t1

t2

t3

- Vc +
t4

20 V

R=100 kohm

5V

Vo

-20
T

Step 2: During ON state assume capacitor will charge to a voltage level

determined by the network. Find the store voltage capacitor & obtained
Vo

KVL: -20 +Vc 5 = 0

Vc = 25v

Vo = 5
22

Solution (cntd):
Step 3: During OFF state assume capacitor will hold on its established
voltage level. From network (t2 -t3:+ve region)
Vi
f=1000 Hz

10
0

t1

t2

t3

t4

- Vc +

10 V

R=100 kohm

5V

-20

Vo

KVL

Step 4: Obtained Vo
KVL: 10 Vc Vo 0
10 25 Vo 0
Vo 35V
Timeconstantof discharging is determined
by : RC (100 k)(1u) 100 ms
The totaldischargetimeis 5 5(100ms) 500 ms

23

Solution (cntd):
Step 5: Checking!!! total swing o/p signal = total swing i/p signal
From network (t2 -t3: +ve region)
Vi
f=1000 Hz

10
0

Vo

t1

t2

t3

35

t4

t
5
0

-20

t1

t2

t3

t4

24

Example:
Repeat the previous
example using a
germanium diode !!!

25

Summary of Clamper Circuits

26

Zener Diodes
The zener diode is a special type of diodes that is designed to
work in the reverse breakdown region.
But it also can operate in the forward bias region.
Zener diode is a main component to design voltage regulator
circuit for DC power supply.
Zener Diodes Characteristic
The I-V characteristics of a diode in Fig 3.19 shows that the
breakdown voltage of a diode is nearly constant over a widerange of reverse-bias currents.

27

Operation region:
Forward

-Vz
0
Breakdown

0.7

Reverse

Fig. 3.19

Forward bias-operate same as

normal diode
Reverse bias-small current flow
Breakdown-big current flow. This is
the region where the voltage zener is
V constant
For normal diode breakdown voltage is
capable to destroy the diode but with
zener diode the current is limited by
connecting series resistor.

28

Zener Diode

The Zener is a diode operated in reverse bias at the Zener

Voltage (Vz).
29

Vi and R fixed
Fixed DC voltage is applied in network
below, as is the load resistor.
The analysis can be determined with 2
steps.

30

Step 1:
Determine the state of zener diode by removing it from
the network and calculating the voltage across the
resulting open cct.
+
Vz
-

Vi

Iz

RL

Pzm

V VL

RLVi
R RL

Fig 3.20: Basic zener regulator

Vi

+
V
-

+
VL RL
-

V Vz Zener diodeON : VR Vi - Vz
RVi
V Vz Zener diodeOFF : VR
R RL

Fig 3.21: Determining the state of

the zener diode
31

Step 2:
Subtitute the appropriate equivalent cct and solve for the
desired unknowns.
The ON state will obtained the equivalent cct in
Fig below
IR
R

Vi

+
VZ

PZM

IL

IZ
RL

+
VL

Fig 3.22

KCL : IR IZ IL IZ IR IL
VL
VR
Vi VL
where IL
and IR

RL
R
R

Power dissipatedby zener Pz VzIz

whichPz P ZM specifiedfor the device
32

Example:
a) Determine VL, VR, IZ and PZ in the network below.
b) Repeat part (a) with RL=3 k

+
Vi

VR

R=1 k ohm

VZ =10 V

PZM=30 mW

IZ
RL

+
1.2 kohm

VL

33

Solution:
Step 1: Remove zener diode & obtained the zener state
IR
R=1 k ohm

+
V

Vi=16 V

IZ
RL

+
1.2 kohm

VL

Forward

RLVi
1 .2 k 16
V

8 .73V
R RL 1k 1.2 k
V Vz diodeis OFF state (open cct)

-Vz

Breakdown

V L V 8.73V
V R Vi - VL 16 - 8.73 7.27V
Iz 0A
Pz VzIz 0 W

10
Reverse

0.7

8.73
Fig. 3.19

Resulting operating point

34

Repeat part (a) with RL=3 k

35

Fixed Vi, Variable RL

For an offset Vz a specific range of resistor values need
to be choose to ensure zener diode is ON state.
Too small a load resistance will cause VL < Vz - diode is
OFF state.
Thus the minimum load resistance in previous example
need to be calculate. This can be expressed by the
equation below:

RVz
RL min
Vi Vz

RL > RLmin zener diode is ON state diode can replaced

by Vz source equivalent

36

With RL changes the IL also changes. The table below

described relationship between RL ,IL, IR

Vz
IL max
RL min

IR ILmax Izmin

Vz
IL min
RL max

IR ILmin Izmax

Notes: Izmax = Izm

37

Example:
a) For the network below, determine the range of RL and IL
that will result in VRL being maintained at 10 V.
b) Determine the maximum wattage rating of the diode.

IR

+
Vi=50 V

R=1 k ohm
Vz=10 V
Izm = 32 mA

IZ

IL
RL

38

Solution:(a)

RVz

1k 10 10k
R Lmin

250
Vi - Vz 50 10
40
V R 40
IR

40 mA
R
1k
ILmin IR - Izmax 40 m - 32 m 8 mA
Vz
10
R Lmax

1.25 k
ILmin 8m
The RL range : 250 RL 1.25 k

Solution: (b)

Pzmax VzIzmax 10 32 m 320 mW

39

Fixed RL, Variable Vi

For a fixed values of RL in the network below, Vi must
be sufficiently LARGE to turn zener diode ON.
The minimum turn-ON voltage Vi=Vimin is expressed
by :
RLVi
V L Vz
RL R

RL R Vz
Vimin
RL

R
Vi

Iz
RL

Vz
- Pzm

40

 The maximum value of Vi is limited by the maximum

zener current, Izmax, thus

IRmax Izmax IL
IL is fixed at Vz/RL and Izmax is the maximum value so
the maximum value of Vi is expressed below:

Vi max IR max R Vz

41

Example:
Determine the range of values of Vi that will maintain the
zener diode of network below:

IR

+
Vi

R=220 ohm
Vz=20 V
Izm = 60 mA

IZ

IL

RL=1.2k ohm VL

42

Solution:
IR

R=220 ohm

Vi

IZ

Vz=20 V
Izm = 60 mA

IL
RL=1.2k ohm

+
VL

Equivalent cct in the ON state

R
Vimin

R Vz 1200 220 20

23.67 V
RL
1200
VL Vz
20
IL

16.67 mA
RL RL 1200
IRMax Izmax IL 60m 16.67m 76.67 mA
L

Vimax IR max R Vz 76.67 m 220 20 36. 87V

The range of Vi : 23.67 V Vi 36.87 V

43

44

Practical Applications of Diode Circuits

RectifierCircuits
Conversions of AC to DC for DC operated circuits
Battery Charging Circuits
SimpleDiodeCircuits
Protective Circuits against Overcurrent
Polarity Reversal Currents caused by an inductive
kick in a relay circuit
ZenerCircuits
Overvoltage Protection
Setting Reference Voltages

45

References:
1. Thomas L. Floyd, Electronic Devices, Eighth Edition, Prentice Hall, 2002.
2. Robert Boylestad, Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, Seventh edition,
Prentice Hall, 2002.
3. Puspa Inayat Khalid, Rubita Sudirman, Siti Hawa Ruslan,
ModulPengajaran Elektronik 1, UTM, 2002.

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