Diode clipper and clamper

Diodes and rectifiers · Intermediate · about 15 minutes · part of Electronics Engineering

Clipper: two diodes back to back across the output cut off anything beyond ±0.65 V. Clamper: a capacitor and one diode slide the whole waveform up so its lowest point sits at −0.65 V, restoring a DC level without changing its shape.

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How it works

Try it on the bench

1. Replace one diode with a 4.7 V Zener: asymmetric clipping.

Parts on the bench

• AC source
• Resistor
• 2 × Signal diode

In the course

Electronics Engineering, module “Diodes and supplies”.

More on diodes and rectifiers

• Diode forward and reverse bias
• LED and its series resistor
• Half-wave rectifier
• Bridge rectifier and filter
• Zener shunt regulator
• Voltage doubler and Cockcroft–Walton multiplier
• Peak and envelope detector
• Testing diodes and transistors with a meter