Clipper circuits are important electronic circuits used to remove or clip a certain portion of an input waveform without distorting the remaining part of the signal. Clipper circuits are widely used in wave shaping applications, communication systems, signal processing, and protection circuits.
Questions from clipper circuits are frequently asked in SSC JE, RRB JE, GATE, DRDO, ISRO, State AE/JE, and other electrical and electronics competitive exams.
What is a Clipper Circuit?
A clipper circuit is an electronic circuit that removes a part of the input signal above or below a certain reference level while allowing the remaining portion of the waveform to pass unchanged.
Clipper circuits mainly use diodes and resistors for operation.
Definition of Clipper
A clipper is a wave-shaping circuit that clips or cuts off a portion of the input waveform without affecting the remaining waveform.
Need of Clipper Circuit
- To protect electronic circuits from high voltage
- To modify signal waveform
- To remove unwanted noise signals
- To limit output voltage amplitude
- To generate desired wave shapes
Basic Components Used in Clipper Circuit
- Diode
- Resistor
- DC voltage source (in biased clipper)
Working Principle of Clipper Circuit
The working of a clipper circuit depends on the ON and OFF condition of the diode.
- When diode is forward biased, it conducts current.
- When diode is reverse biased, it blocks current.
By controlling the conduction of the diode during different half cycles, a portion of the waveform is clipped.
Types of Clipper Circuits
Clipper circuits are mainly classified into the following types:
- Series Clipper
- Shunt Clipper
- Positive Clipper
- Negative Clipper
- Biased Clipper
- Combination Clipper
Series Clipper Circuit
Definition of Series Clipper
In a series clipper circuit, the diode is connected in series with the load resistor.
Working of Series Clipper
The output depends on whether the diode is conducting or not conducting.
- During forward bias, diode conducts.
- During reverse bias, diode blocks the signal.
Types of Series Clipper
- Positive Series Clipper
- Negative Series Clipper
Positive Series Clipper
A positive series clipper clips the positive half cycle of the input waveform and allows the negative half cycle to appear at the output.
Working of Positive Series Clipper
- During positive half cycle, diode becomes reverse biased.
- Output becomes zero.
- Positive portion gets clipped.
- During negative half cycle, diode conducts.
Negative Series Clipper
A negative series clipper clips the negative half cycle of the waveform and allows the positive half cycle to pass.
Working of Negative Series Clipper
- During negative half cycle, diode becomes reverse biased.
- Negative portion is clipped.
- During positive half cycle, diode conducts.
Shunt Clipper Circuit
Definition of Shunt Clipper
In a shunt clipper circuit, the diode is connected parallel to the load resistor.
Working of Shunt Clipper
The diode shorts the output during one half cycle and allows the other half cycle to appear at the output.
Types of Shunt Clipper
- Positive Shunt Clipper
- Negative Shunt Clipper
Positive Shunt Clipper
A positive shunt clipper clips the positive half cycle of the input waveform.
Working
- During positive half cycle, diode conducts heavily.
- Output voltage becomes nearly zero.
- Positive half cycle gets clipped.
- During negative half cycle, diode remains OFF.
Negative Shunt Clipper
A negative shunt clipper clips the negative half cycle of the waveform.
Working
- During negative half cycle, diode conducts.
- Negative half cycle gets clipped.
- During positive half cycle, diode remains OFF.
Biased Clipper Circuit
Definition of Biased Clipper
A biased clipper is a clipper circuit that uses an external DC voltage source to clip the waveform at a desired voltage level other than zero.
Need of Biased Clipper
Simple clipper circuits clip signals at zero voltage level. To clip signals at different voltage levels, biased clipper circuits are used.
Types of Biased Clipper
- Positive Biased Clipper
- Negative Biased Clipper
Combination Clipper
A combination clipper clips both positive and negative portions of the waveform at different voltage levels.
It uses multiple diodes and DC voltage sources.
Difference Between Series Clipper and Shunt Clipper
| Parameter | Series Clipper | Shunt Clipper |
|---|---|---|
| Diode Connection | Series with load | Parallel with load |
| Output During Conduction | Signal passes | Signal bypassed |
| Circuit Arrangement | Simple | Parallel arrangement |
| Power Dissipation | Low | Higher |
| Applications | Signal limiting | Wave shaping |
Waveform of Clipper Circuit
In clipper circuits:
- Positive clipper removes positive portion.
- Negative clipper removes negative portion.
- Biased clipper removes signal above or below preset voltage.
Applications of Clipper Circuit
- Wave shaping circuits
- Protection of electronic devices
- Communication systems
- TV receivers
- Radar systems
- Digital circuits
- Voltage limiting circuits
- Noise removal circuits
Advantages of Clipper Circuit
- Simple circuit design
- Low cost
- Fast operation
- Effective voltage protection
- Useful in signal processing
Disadvantages of Clipper Circuit
- Signal distortion may occur
- Power loss in diode
- Not suitable for high power applications
Important Formula Related to Clipper
For silicon diode:
VD ≈ 0.7V
For germanium diode:
VD ≈ 0.3V
Numerical Example on Clipper Circuit
Example
A silicon diode clipper circuit receives an input signal of 10V peak. Determine the clipping level considering diode forward voltage drop.
Solution
For silicon diode:
VD = 0.7V
Therefore, clipping occurs approximately at:
10V - 0.7V = 9.3V
Important Exam-Oriented Notes
- Clipper circuits remove unwanted portions of waveform.
- Positive clipper clips positive half cycle.
- Negative clipper clips negative half cycle.
- Series clipper has diode in series.
- Shunt clipper has diode in parallel.
- Biased clipper clips waveform at desired voltage level.
- Diode ON/OFF condition controls clipping action.
Common Mistakes Made by Students
- Confusing clipper and clamper circuits
- Incorrectly identifying diode biasing condition
- Mixing positive and negative clippers
- Ignoring diode forward voltage drop
- Confusing series and shunt clipper connections
Difference Between Clipper and Clamper
| Parameter | Clipper | Clamper |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Removes part of waveform | Shifts entire waveform |
| Main Components | Diode and resistor | Diode, resistor, capacitor |
| Output | Clipped waveform | Shifted waveform |
| Energy Storage | No capacitor action | Uses capacitor charging |
Previous Year Question Insights
In SSC JE and RRB JE exams, questions are commonly asked from:
- Positive and negative clipper
- Series and shunt clipper
- Biased clipper
- Waveform identification
- Diode conduction condition
- Difference between clipper and clamper
Preparation Tips for JE Exams
- Practice waveform-based questions regularly
- Understand diode biasing clearly
- Remember series and shunt circuit connections
- Learn clipping action during each half cycle
- Solve previous year MCQs
Short Revision Notes
- Clipper removes unwanted part of waveform.
- Positive clipper removes positive half cycle.
- Negative clipper removes negative half cycle.
- Series clipper → diode in series.
- Shunt clipper → diode in parallel.
- Biased clipper uses external DC source.
- Clipper is used for wave shaping and protection.
Internal Linking Suggestions
- PN Junction Diode
- Clamper Circuit
- Zener Diode
- Rectifier Circuit
- Diode Characteristics
- Wave Shaping Circuits
Conclusion
Clipper circuits are important wave-shaping circuits used to remove unwanted portions of electrical signals. Depending on circuit arrangement and diode orientation, different types of clipper circuits such as positive clipper, negative clipper, series clipper, shunt clipper, and biased clipper are obtained.
Understanding the working principle, waveform behavior, and applications of clipper circuits is very important for SSC JE, RRB JE, GATE, and other competitive exams.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a clipper circuit?
A clipper circuit is an electronic circuit that removes a portion of the input waveform without affecting the remaining waveform.
What are the main types of clipper circuits?
The main types are series clipper, shunt clipper, positive clipper, negative clipper, and biased clipper.
What is a positive clipper?
A positive clipper removes the positive half cycle of the input waveform.
What is a negative clipper?
A negative clipper removes the negative half cycle of the waveform.
What is the difference between clipper and clamper?
A clipper removes a portion of waveform while a clamper shifts the entire waveform to another voltage level.
What is a biased clipper?
A biased clipper uses an external DC source to clip the waveform at a desired voltage level.
Why are diodes used in clipper circuits?
Diodes are used because they can conduct or block current depending on biasing conditions, enabling clipping action.
What are the applications of clipper circuits?
Clipper circuits are used in communication systems, voltage protection circuits, signal processing, and wave shaping applications.
Which clipper clips the positive half cycle?
A positive clipper clips the positive half cycle of the waveform.
Which clipper clips the negative half cycle?
A negative clipper clips the negative half cycle of the waveform.