AENG001-4-2 Analogue Electronics

Experiment 1 Signal Clippers and Clampers

Introduction

Clippers are circuits that operate to limit (clip) a signal waveform at a given voltage. Clampers are
circuits that change (clamp) the reference voltage level of a signal waveform. In this experiment
you will study series, shunt, and biased clippers. You will also see how clamper circuits operate.

In Section 1, you will build and make measurements on series, shunt, and biased clipper circuits
as well as a clamper circuit. In Section 2, you will examine the effects of several common defects
on the operation of clippers and clampers.

Objectives

In this experiment you will:

a. Observe and draw the output voltage signals of clippers and clampers
b. Learn how to clip a signal at a certain level using biased clippers
c. Observe the effects on a signal voltage when clamped
d. Through measurement, learn the effect of typical clipper and clamper failures

Equipment and Materials

Circuit protoboard
Dual-trace oscilloscope
Function generator
Small-signal diode, 1N914 or similar
Resistors: 1 k, 4.7 k, 10 k, 2.2 M
Capacitor, 4.7 F

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AENG001-4-2 Analogue Electronics

Section 1 Functional Experiment

Figure 1.1

1. Build the circuit of Figure 1.1. Set your function generator to supply a 1 kHz, 10 Vpp input.

2. Connect your oscilloscope channel 1 to the circuit input, and channel 2 to the output. This
will permit you to measure the signal voltage levels and observe the relationship of the
output to input signal. Adjust the scope sweep timing to obtain about 2 cycles of the input
waveform. Sketch the oscilloscope display on a graph (Indicate on your sketch the
positive and negative peak voltage values for all graphs).

3. Switch the input signal off. Reverse the diode in the circuit. Apply the input signal and
repeat the measurements of step 2. Sketch the oscilloscope display on a graph.

Figure 1.2

4. Disconnect your circuit and build the circuit of Figure 1.2. Connect the function generator
set to apply a 10 Vpp, 1 kHz signal.

5. Connect channel 1 of your oscilloscope to the circuit input, and channel 2 to the circuit
output. Adjust the scope sweep timing to obtain about 2 cycles of the input signal. Sketch
the oscilloscope display on a graph.

6. Turn off the input signal and reverse the diode connections in the circuit. Apply the input
signal and repeat the measurements of step 5. Sketch the oscilloscope display on a
graph.

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AENG001-4-2 Analogue Electronics

Figure 1.3

7. Build the circuit of Figure 1.3.

8. Connect a DC source of 5 V to the diode (plus to the cathode of the diode, minus to circuit
ground). Connect the function generator set to provide a 12 Vpp, 1 kHz signal.

9. Connect your oscilloscope channel 1 to the circuit input, and channel 2 to the circuit output
with DC coupling. Set the scope sweep timing to obtain a display of about 2 cycles of the
input signal. Sketch the oscilloscope display on a graph.

10. Adjust the DC source for a value of 3 V, and repeat the measurements of step 9. Sketch
the oscilloscope display on a graph. What effect did reducing the DC voltage level have
on your output signal?

Figure 1.4

11. Disconnect your circuit and build the clamper circuit of Figure 1.4. Observe the capacitor
polarity. Connect the function generator set to provide a 10 Vpp, 1 kHz signal.

12. Connect channel 1 of your oscilloscope to the circuit input, and channel 2 set to DC
coupling to the circuit output. Sketch the oscilloscope display on a graph.

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AENG001-4-2 Analogue Electronics

Section 2 Troubleshooting

A. Clipper Failures

Fault 1 RS open

1. Build the circuit of Figure 1.2. Replace the 1 k resistor of RS with a 2.2 M resistor.
Connect the function generator set to provide a 10 Vpp, 1 kHz signal.

2. Connect channel 1 of your oscilloscope to the circuit input, and channel 2 to the output.
Set the scope sweep timing to obtain a display of about 2 cycles of the input signal. Sketch
the oscilloscope display on a graph.

Fault 2 Diode D1 open

1. With the function generator off, restore RS to its 1 k value. Disconnect the ground
(cathode) end of D1. Apply the signal input.

2. Connect your oscilloscope and repeat the measurement steps in Fault 1. Sketch the
oscilloscope display on a graph.

B. Clamper Failures

Fault 1 Diode D1 open

1. Build the circuit of Figure 1.4. Disconnect one leg D1. Connect your function generator set
to apply an input of 12 Vpp, 1 kHz signal.

2. Connect channel 1 of your oscilloscope to the circuit input and channel 2, set to DC
coupling, to the circuit output. Set the sweep timing to obtain a display of about 2 cycles
of the input signal. Sketch the oscilloscope display on a graph.

Fault 2 C1 leaky

1. With the function generator off, connect a 1 k resistor in parallel with C1. Apply an input
signal of 12 Vpp, 1 kHz.

2. Connect your oscilloscope and make the circuit measurements of Clamper (Fault 1, step
2). Sketch the oscilloscope display on a graph.

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AENG001-4-2 Analogue Electronics

Discussion

Section 1

1. Considering the output waveform of the circuit of Figure 1.1, you should have found that
the output is the same shape as that half-wave rectifier. Explain why you think we call this
circuit a clipper instead of a rectifier.

2. Compare the output waveform and signal levels of the series and shunt clipper. With the
understanding that for the shunt clipper RS and RL do not have to be 10:1 ratio, list the
advantages for each circuit.

3. In Figure 1.3 you saw that you could pick the amount of voltage you wished to clip. Why
do you think we might wish to clip only the top of a waveform?

4. Finally, in the circuit of Figure 1.4, you saw how to place the entire signal on a DC voltage
level. These circuits are necessary in some electronic equipment, such as television sets,
to force a signal to a certain DC voltage level for proper operation. What is another name
for the clamper circuits?

Section 2

Fault 1 RS open
When RS is open in the circuit of Figure 1.2, the output goes essentially to 1 V because there is
no current flow in the circuit. During your troubleshooting procedures, how would you isolate the
fault to RS?

Fault 2 D1 open
When D1 in Figure 1.2 opens, the output has the complete signal waveform. Briefly explain why
you believe (or dont believe) that the output waveform has sufficient data to determine the diode
failure.

Fault 3 D1 open
In the clamper of Figure 1.4, if the diode D1 opens, the normal signal voltage appears across RL.
Why does this occur?

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