LESSON 2.5.

2 CLIPPERS

 CLIPPER OR LIMITERS is a type of diode network that has the ability to “CLIP OFF” a portion of the
input signal without distorting the remaining part of the alternating waveform.
 The half-wave rectifier is an example of the simplest form of diode clipper—one resistor and a diode.
 Depending on the orientation of the diode, the positive or negative region of the input signal is “clipped”
off.

SERIES CLIPPER

NEGATIVE SERIES CLIPPER

Diode is forward-biased during positive half cycle of the input.

Diode is reverse-biased during negative half cycle of the input.
Eliminates negatives alternation of the input.

POSITIVE SERIES CLIPPER

Diode is reversed-biased during positive half cycle of the input.
Diode is forward-biased during negative half cycle of the input.
Eliminates positive alternation of the input.

Unit 2: Diode Characteristics and Circuits 43

 SHUNT CLIPPER

NEGATIVE SHUNT CLIPPER

Reverse-biased diode act as OPEN CKT during positive input cycle.
Forward-biased diode act as SHORT CKT during negative input cycle.

POSITIVE SHUNT CLIPPER

Forward-biased diode act as SHORT CKT during positive input cycle.
Reverse-biased diode act as OPEN CKT during negative input cycle.

1st APPROXIMATION
 SIMPLE-SERIES, NEGATIVE CLIPPER

 SIMPLE-SERIES, POSITIVE CLIPPER

Unit 2: Diode Characteristics and Circuits 44

 BIASED-SERIES, NEGATIVE CLIPPER

 BIASED-SERIES, POSITIVE CLIPPER

Unit 2: Diode Characteristics and Circuits 45

 SIMPLE PARALLEL, POSITIVE CLIPPER

 SIMPLE PARALLEL, NEGATIVE CLIPPER

 BIASED PARALLEL, NEGATIVE CLIPPER

Unit 2: Diode Characteristics and Circuits 46

 BIASED PARALLEL, POSITIVE CLIPPER

LESSON 2.5.3 CLAMPERS

 Clamper is a diode circuit designed to shift a waveform either above or below a given reference voltage
without distorting the waveform
 A clamper adds a dc level to an ac voltage.
 Clampers are sometimes known as DC RESTORERS.

TYPES OF CLAMPER:
1. POSITIVE CLAMPER
2. NEGATIVE CLAMPER

 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.

 POSITIVE CLAMPER
A positive clamper shifts its input waveform so that the negative peak of the waveform is equal to the clamper dc
reference voltage.

Unit 2: Diode Characteristics and Circuits 47

 NEGATIVE CLAMPER
A negative clamper shifts its input waveform so that the positive peak of the waveform is equal to the clamper dc
reference voltage.

There is a sequence of steps that can be applied to help make the analysis straightforward. It is not the only
approach to examining clampers, but it does offer an option if difficulties surface.

Step 1: Start the analysis by examining the response of the portion of the input signal that will forward bias the
diode.

Step 2: During the period that the diode is in the “on” state, assume that the capacitor will charge up
instantaneously to a voltage level determined by the surrounding network.

Step 3: Assume that during the period when the diode is in the “off” state the capacitor holds on to its
established voltage level.

Step 4: Throughout the analysis, maintain a continual awareness of the location and defined polarity for v o to
ensure that the proper levels are obtained.

Step 5: Check that the total swing of the output matches that of the input.

 POSITIVE CLAMPER Assume Ideal Diode

Step 1: Start the analysis by examining the response of the portion of the input signal that will forward bias
the diode.

1. Diode is ON state at the negative half cycle

Vo = 0V

Step 2: During the period that the diode is in the “on” state, assume that the capacitor will charge up
instantaneously to a voltage level determined by the surrounding network.

2. Capacitor charges.
Using KVL: -Vin + VC = 0
VC = Vin

Step 3: Assume that during the period when the diode is in the “off” state the capacitor holds on to its
established voltage level.

Unit 2: Diode Characteristics and Circuits 48

 3. Diode is OFF state when
Vin = -V (peak)
VC = V (peak)

Step 4: Throughout the analysis, maintain a continual awareness of the location and defined polarity for v o
to ensure that the proper levels are obtained.

4. Determination of Vo
Using KVL:
-Vin + VC – Vo = 0
Vo = -Vin + VC at the negative half cycle
Vo = Vin + VC at the positive half cycle

Step 5: Check that the total swing of the output matches that of the input.

NOTES:
 At the first +half cycle, the diode is OFF, therefore the capacitor is not charging.
o Vo = Vin
 At the –half cycle, the diode is ON, therefore the capacitor is charging until the Vin = -V (peak)
o Vo = 0 V
 When the capacitor is fully charged, the diode will be OFF.
o Vo = Vin + Vc
o Vo = Vin + Vp
 The peak to peak output voltage must be almost equal to the peak to peak input voltage.

 NEGATIVE CLAMPER Assume Ideal Diode

Step 1: Start the analysis by examining the response of the portion of the input signal that will forward bias
the diode.

1. Diode is ON state at the positive half cycle

Vo = 0V

Step 2: During the period that the diode is in the “on” state, assume that the capacitor will charge up
instantaneously to a voltage level determined by the surrounding network.

Unit 2: Diode Characteristics and Circuits 49

 2. Capacitor charges.
Using KVL: Vin - VC = 0
VC = Vin

Step 3: Assume that during the period when the diode is in the “off” state the capacitor holds on to its
established voltage level.

3. Diode is OFF state when

Vin = V (peak)
VC = V (peak)

Step 4: Throughout the analysis, maintain a continual awareness of the location and defined polarity for v o
to ensure that the proper levels are obtained.

4. Determination of Vo
Using KVL:
Vin - VC – Vo = 0
Vo = Vin - VC at the positive half cycle
Vo = -Vin - VC at the negative half cycle

Step 5: Check that the total swing of the output matches that of the input.

NOTES:
 At the first +half cycle, the diode is OFF, therefore the capacitor is not charging. Vo = Vin
 At the –half cycle, the diode is ON, therefore the capacitor is charging until the Vin = -V (peak)
o Vo = 0 V
 When the capacitor is fully charged, the diode will be OFF.
o Vo = Vin + Vc
 The peak to peak output voltage must be almost equal to the peak to peak input voltage.

 POSITIVE CLAMPER WITH DC VOLTAGE

Unit 2: Diode Characteristics and Circuits 50

 NEGATIVE CLAMPER WITH DC VOLTAGE

Note:
Input Voltage: Red Waveform
Output Voltage: Blue Waveform

SAMPLE PROBLEM:
Determine the output waveform of the network for the input indicated

Unit 2: Diode Characteristics and Circuits 51

LESSON 2.5.4 VOLTAGE MULTIPLIERS

 Voltage multipliers USE CLAMPING ACTION to INCREASE peak rectified voltages without the
necessity of increasing the transformer’s voltage rating.
 Multiplication factors of TWO, THREE, and FOUR are common.
 Voltage multipliers are used in high-voltage, low-current applications such as cathode-ray tubes (CRTs)
and particle accelerators.

Three types of voltage multipliers:

1. Voltage DOUBLER
- Half – wave voltage doubler
- Full – wave voltage doubler
2. Voltage TRIPLER
3. Voltage QUADRUPLER

 HALF-WAVE VOLTAGE DOUBLER

Clamping action can be used to increase peak rectified voltage. Once C 1 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.

Note: The charging and discharging of C1 will continue until C2 reaches a stable output voltage which is
twice the input Vp

Unit 2: Diode Characteristics and Circuits 52

 Decrease in charge of the capacitor C1 is due to the flow of charged particles in opposite direction.

 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.

Note: There is no discharging of C1 since there is no opposite flow of charged particles.

There is no discharging of C1 since there is no opposite flow of charged particles.

Unit 2: Diode Characteristics and Circuits 53

 VOLTAGE TRIPLER
Tripler output is taken across C1 and C3, thus Vout = 3Vp

Note: The charging and discharging of capacitors will continue until it reaches a stable output voltage which is
thrice the input Vp

 VOLTAGE QUADRUPLER
Quadrupler output is taken across C2 and C4 , thus Vout = 4Vp

Note: The charging and discharging of capacitors will continue until it reaches a stable output voltage which is
four times the input Vp

ACTIVITY #3

1. Determine the output waveform of the network below

[you may refer to Boylestad, R., _ Nashelsky, L. (2013). Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory (11th ed.)
page 81-83]

a.

b.

c.

Unit 2: Diode Characteristics and Circuits 54

2. Determine the output waveform of the network for the input indicated

a.
ANS. The circuit will clamp between 0V and +20V

b.
ANS. The circuit will clamp between -5V and -25V

Unit 2: Diode Characteristics and Circuits 55