CLIPPERS

By Rohit Kumar Gedi

EEE-1B
RGUKT –Nuzvid
Team : Garuda Vega
 What is a clipper?

A clipper is a circuit that clips off the magnitude of

voltage of a signal without affecting any other part of
the signal. It removes parts of the signal’s waveform
that exceed a given voltage level. A clipper either clips
the specific part or the entire positive or negative half
of the signal.
Types of Clippers
 Series positive Clipper circuit

The positive half of the input waveform

reverse biases the diode. Thus it acts as
an open switch and all the applied input
voltage drops across the diode.
Resultantly providing no output voltage
for positive half of the input waveform.
For the negative half of the input
waveform, the diode is in the forward
biased state. Thus it acts as a closed
switch causing no any voltage drop at
the diode.
 Series negative Clipper circuit
Here, during the positive
half cycle of input waveform,
the diode becomes forward
biased, thus ensuring a closed
circuit. Due to which current
appears across the resistor of the
circuit.
For negative half of the input
waveform, the diode now
becomes reverse biased acting as
an open switch. This causes no
current to flow through the circuit.
Resultantly providing no output
for negative half of the input
waveform.
 Series positive Clipper circuit with
positive bias
• The diode is forward biased with respect to
the battery.
• During the positive half-cycle of the input
waveform:
• The diode becomes reverse biased.
• It conducts only when the supply voltage is
less than the battery potential.
• Once the supply voltage exceeds the battery
potential, no current flows through the diode.

• During the negative half-cycle of the input

waveform:
• The diode remains forward biased.
• The complete negative half-cycle appears at
the output.
 Series negative Clipper circuit with
positive bias
• Positive Half-Cycle of Input Waveform:

• Initially, the battery potential is higher than

the supply voltage, so no current flows.
• When the supply voltage exceeds the
battery potential, the diode becomes
forward biased and starts conducting.
• The signal appears at the output.

• Negative Half-Cycle of Input Waveform:

• The diode becomes reverse biased due to

both the input signal and the battery
potential.
• No signal appears at the output in this
condition.
 Shunt positive Clipper circuit
• The diode is connected in parallel with the
load, making its operation opposite to
shunt clippers.
• Positive Half-Cycle of Input Signal:
• The diode becomes forward biased,
allowing current to flow through it.
• Due to the parallel connection, no current
flows through the load, resulting in no
output for the positive half.
• Negative Half-Cycle of Input Signal:
• The diode becomes reverse biased,
preventing current flow through it.
• The entire negative half-cycle appears at
the output.
 Shunt negative Clipper
circuit
• Positive Half-Cycle of Input Signal:
• The diode becomes reverse biased, so no
current flows through it.
• The output current is observed at the load,
meaning the positive half-cycle appears at the
output.
• Negative Half-Cycle of Input Signal:
• The diode becomes forward biased, allowing
current to flow through it.
• As a result, no output is observed for the
negative half-cycle.
 Shunt positive Clipper circuit with
positive bias
• Positive Half-Cycle of Input Signal:
• The diode is forward biased by the supply
voltage but reverse biased by the battery
potential.
• When battery potential > supply voltage, the
diode remains reverse biased, and current
flows through the load, producing an output.
• When supply voltage > battery potential, the
diode becomes forward biased, and no
output is achieved.
• Negative Half-Cycle of Input Signal:
• Both the battery potential and supply
voltage reverse bias the diode.
• As a result, the entire negative half-cycle
appears at the output.
 Shunt negative Clipper circuit with
positive bias
• Positive Half-Cycle of Input Signal:
• The diode is reverse biased by the supply
voltage but forward biased by the battery
potential.
• When battery potential > supply voltage, the
diode conducts, preventing output.
• When supply voltage > battery potential,
conduction stops, and the signal appears at
the output.
• Negative Half-Cycle of Input Signal:
• The diode is forward biased due to both the
battery potential and supply voltage.
• As a result, no output signal appears for the
negative half-cycle.
 DUAL CLIPPER
• Positive Half-Cycle of Input Signal:
• Diode D1: Forward biased by supply voltage
but reverse biased by battery potential VB1.
• Diode D2: Reverse biased by both supply
voltage and battery potential VB2.
• When battery potential > supply voltage, both
diodes remain reverse biased, and signal
appears at the output.
• When supply voltage > battery potential, D1
becomes forward biased, stopping conduction,
so no further signal appears.
• Negative Half-Cycle of Input Signal:
• Diode D1: Reverse biased by both supply
voltage and VB1.
• Diode D2: Forward biased by supply voltage
but reverse biased by VB2.
• When battery potential > supply voltage, D2
remains reverse biased, and signal appears at
the output.
• When supply voltage > battery potential, D2
becomes forward biased, stopping conduction,
so no signal appears.
Thank you
By Rohit Kumar Gedi
Team : Garuda Vega