2-4 Diode Limiting & Clamping

Circuits
OBJECTIVE
 Analyze the operation of diode limiting, clamping circuit,
voltage multipliers and interpret and use diode data sheet.
 Determine V of biased limiter & used voltage-divider bias to
set limiting level.
 Discuss voltage doublers, triplers & quadruples.
 Identify V & current ratings.
 Determine the electrical characteristics of a diode.
 Analyze graphical data
 Select an appropriate diode for a given set of specifications.

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 Diode Limiters

 The application?
 To prevent the input from exceeding a specific level.
 Many circuits have certain restrictions on the input
level to avoid damaging the circuit.
 Example : almost all digital circuits should not have
an input level that exceeds the power supply voltage.

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 Diode Limiters

 Diode limiters/clippers – that limits/clips the portion of signal voltage above or

below certain level.
 Limiting circuits limit the positive or negative amount of an input voltage to a
specific value.
 When i/p is +ve – the diode becomes FB – limited to +0.7 V because cathode is at
ground.
 When i/p << 0.7 V-diode is RB – o/p voltage likes –ve part of i/p voltage
 Turn the diode around-negative part of i/p voltage is clipped off.
 When diode is FB-negative part of i/p voltage-diode drop -0.7V

 RL 
Vout   Vin
 R1  RL 

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Question 4:
What would you expect to see displayed on an oscilloscope
connected across RL in the limiter shown below.

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Solution Question 4
The diode is forward biased and conducts when
input voltage goes below -0.7V. So, for –ve
limiter, the peak output voltage across RL is:
 RL   1.0k 
V p( out )   V p( in)   10V  9.09V
 R1  R L   1.1k 
The waveform is shown below:

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 Diode Limiters

Biased Limiters
 The level to which an ac voltage is limited can be adjusted by adding bias voltage
VBIAS in series with diode.
 Voltage at point A : VA = VBIAS + 0.7V (forward-biased & conduct). So, all Vin >
VA is clipped off.
 For –ve level, then VA = -VBIAS - 0.7V to forward-biased.
 Turning diode around, +ve limiter – modified to limit Vout to the portion of Vin
waveform above VBIAS – 0.7V.
 -ve limiter; below -VBIAS - 0.7V.
 By tuning the diode around- the +ve limiter can modified to limit the o/p voltage
to the portion of the i/p voltage waveform above VBIAS-0.7V
 Negative limiter – limit the o/p voltage to the i/p voltage below –VBIAS+0.7V

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A positive limiter

A negative limiter
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 Diode Limiters
Voltage-Divider Bias
 The bias voltage source – used to illustrate the basic operation of
diode limiters can be replace by a resistive voltage divider that
derives the desired bias voltage from dc Vsupply .
 VBIAS – set by the resistor values according to the voltage-
divider formula:
 R3 
VBIAS   VSUPPLY
 R2  R3 

 The desired amount of limitation can be attained by a power

supply or voltage divider. The amount clipped can be adjusted
with different levels of VBIAS.
 The bias resistor << R1- the forward current through the diode
will not effect VBIAS
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 Example 5:
1. Sketch the output voltage waveform as shown in the
circuit combining a positive limiter with negative
limiter in Figure 5-1.

+15V

6V 6V
-15V

Figure 5-1

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2. A student construct the circuit as shown in Figure 5-
2. Describe the output voltage waveform on
oscilloscope CH2.

+15V

+20V
CH2

-20V

Figure 5-2

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 Diode Clampers

A Clamper Application:

 A clamping circuit is often used in TV receivers as a dc

restorer.
 The incoming composite video signal is normally
processed through capacitively coupled amplifiers that
eliminate the dc component, thus losing black and white
reference levels and the blanking level. Before applied to
the picture tube, these reference level must be restored.
 Clampers can also be applied  in storage counters, analog
frequency meter, capacitance meter, divider and stair-
case waveform generator.
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 Diode Clampers
 There are 2 types of clampers:
 A positive clamper shifts its position in a positive
direction, so that it lies above the dc reference
voltage. For example; the positive clamper shifts the
input waveform so that it lies above 0V (dc reference
voltage).
 A negative clamper shifts its input waveform in a
negative direction, so that it lies below a dc reference
voltage.

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 Diode Clampers
 A diode clamper adds a DC level to an AC voltage. The
capacitor charges to the peak of the supply minus the diode
drop. Once charged, the capacitor acts like a battery in
series with the input voltage. The AC voltage will “ride”
along with the DC voltage. The polarity arrangement of the
diode determines whether the DC voltage is negative or
positive.
 For negative clamper, the diode is turn around. A negative
dc voltage is added to the input voltage to produce the
output.

Positive clamper operation

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 Negative clamper operation

Also known as For a good clamping action

dc restorers. RC time constant ~ 10 fin

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 2-5 Voltage Multiplier

 Use clamping action to increase peak rectified voltages

without necessary to increase input transformer’s voltage
rating.
 Multiplication factors: two, three or four.
 Three types of voltage multipliers:
* Voltage doubler
- Half – wave voltage doubler
- Full – wave voltage doubler
* Voltage tripler
* Voltage Quadrupler
 Voltage multipliers are used in high-voltage, low current
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applications, i.e TV receivers.
 Voltage Doubler
Half-wave voltage Doubler:
Clamping action can be used to increase peak rectified voltage.
Once C1 and C2 charges to the peak voltage they act like two
batteries in series, effectively doubling the voltage output. The
current capacity for voltage multipliers is low.
PIV = 2Vp

By applying Kirchhoff’s Law at (b):

VC 2  V p  VC1 ~ approximately 2Vp (neglecting diode drop D2)

Half-wave voltage doubler operation. Vp is the peak secondary voltage.

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 Voltage Doubler
Full-wave voltage doubler:
Arrangement of diodes and capacitors takes advantage of both
positive and negative peaks to charge the capacitors giving it
more current capacity.forward-bias
charges output

forward-bias

charges

Secondary voltage positive Secondary voltage negative

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 Voltage Tripler & Voltage Quadrupler
 Voltage triplers and quadruplers utilize three and four diode
capacitor arrangements, respectively.
 Voltage tripler and quadrupler gives output 3Vp and 4Vp,
respectively.
 Tripler output is taken across C1 and C3, thus Vout = 3Vp
 Quadrupler output is taken across C2 and C4 , thus Vout = 4Vp
 PIV for both cases: PIV = 2Vp

Voltage Triple Voltage Quadruple

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 2-6 The Diode Data Sheet

 The data sheet for diodes and other devices gives detailed
information about specific characteristics such as the
various maximum current and voltage ratings,
temperature range, and voltage versus current curves (V-I
characteristic).
 It is sometimes a very valuable piece of information, even
for a technician. There are cases when you might have to
select a replacement diode when the type of diode needed
may no longer be available.
 These are the absolute max. values under which the diode
can be operated without damage to the device.
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 Maximum Rating
Rating Symbol 1N4001 1N4002 1N400 UNIT
3
Peak repetitive reverse voltage VRRM
Working peak reverse voltage VRWM 50 100 200 V
DC blocking voltage VR
Nonrepetitive peak reverse VRSM 60 120 240 V
voltage
rms reverse voltage VR(rms) 35 70 140 V
Average rectified forward Io A
current (single-phase, resistive 1
load, 60Hz, TA = 75oC
Nonrepetitive peak surge IFSM A
current (surge applied at rated 30 (for 1
load conditions) cycle)
Operating and storage junction Tj, Tstg -65 to o
C
temperature range +175
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 Maximum Rating

FIGURE 2-56 A selection of rectifier diodes based on maximum ratings of

IO, IFSM, and IRRM. 26
 2-7 Troubleshooting

OBJECTIVE
 Troubleshoot diode circuits using accepted techniques.
 Discuss the relationship between symptom & cause,
power check, sensory check, component replacement
method and discuss the signal tracing technique in the
three variations.
OurFault
 studyanalysis.
of these devices and how they work leads more
effective troubleshooting. Efficient troubleshooting requires us
to take logical steps in sequence. Knowing how a device,
circuit, or system works when operating properly must be
known before any attempts are made to troubleshoot. The
symptoms shown by a defective device often point directly to
the point of failure. There are many different methods for27
 Troubleshooting Techniques

Here are some helpful troubleshooting techniques:

 Power Check: Sometimes the obvious eludes the
most proficient troubleshooters. Check for fuses
blown, power cords plugged in, and correct battery
placement.
Sensory Check: What you see or smell may lead
you directly to the failure or to a symptom of a
failure.
 Component Replacement: Educated guesswork
in replacing components is sometimes effective.
 Signal Tracing: Look at the point in the circuit or
system where you first lose the signal or incorrect
signal.
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 Troubleshooting Techniques
Signal tracing techniques:

Input to output

Output to input

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 Fault Analysis
Can be applied when you measure an incorrect voltage at a
test point using signal tracing and isolate the fault to a specific
circuit.
Example 1:
Effect of an Open Diode in
a Half-Wave Rectifier:
Zero o/p voltage
Open diode breaks the
current path from
transformer secondary
winding to the
filter and load resistor – no
load current.
Other faults: open
transformer winding, open
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fuse, or no input voltage.
 Fault Analysis
Example 2:
Effect of an Open Diode in a Full-Wave Rectifier:
 The effect of either of two diodes is open diode, the o/p voltage
will have large than normal ripple voltage at 60 Hz rather than
at 120 Hz.
 Another fault – open in one of the halves of the transformer
secondary winding.
 Open diode give same symptom to bridge full-wave rectifier.
(See Figure 2-63)

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 Fault Analysis
Example 3:
Effect of a Shorted Diode in a
Full- Wave Rectifier:
 Fuse should blow – cause by
short circuit
 D1,D4 will probably burn
open.

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 Fault Analysis
Example 4:
Effect of a fault filter capacitor:
 Open – o/p is full-wave rectified voltage
 Shorted – the o/p is 0V
 Leaky – increase the ripple voltage on
the o/p
Example 5:
Effect of a Faulty Transformer:
 Open primary/secondary winding of a
transformer – 0V o/p

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The complete Troubleshooting Process

 The complete troubleshooting process:

i. Identify the symptom(s).
ii. Perform a power check
iii. Perform a sensory check
iv. Apply a signal tracing technique.
v. Apply fault analysis
vi. Use component replacement to fix the
problem.

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 Summary
 The basic function of a power supply to give us a smooth
ripple free DC voltage from an AC voltage.
 Half-wave rectifiers only utilize half of the cycle to produce a
DC voltage.
 Transformer Coupling allows voltage manipulation through its
windings ratio
 Full-Wave rectifiers efficiently make use of the whole cycle.
This makes it easier to filter.
 The full-wave bridge rectifier allows use of the full secondary
winding output whereas the center-tapped full wave uses only
half.
 Filtering and Regulating the output of a rectifier helps keep the
DC voltage smooth and accurate 35
 Summary

 Limiters are used to set the output peak(s) to a given

value.
 Clampers are used to add a DC voltage to an AC voltage.
 Voltage Multipliers allow a doubling, tripling, or
quadrupling of rectified DC voltage for low current
applications.
 The Data Sheet gives us useful information and
characteristics of device for use in replacement or
designing circuits.
 Troubleshooting requires use of common sense along
with proper troubleshooting techniques to effectively
determine the point of failure in a defective circuit or
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system.