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Home / Clipping and Clamping Circuits / Diode Clippers An overview of Clipping Circuits

Diode Clippers An overview of

Clipping Circuits
Last Updated on April 14, 2011 by john in Clipping and Clamping Circuits with 77 Comments

Diode Clippers A study of various Clipping

Circuits
This article explains the working of different diode clipper circuits like Positive and Negative
Diode Clippers, Biased Clipper circuit, and Combinational Clipper Circuit with the help of
circuit diagrams and waveforms.
The basic components required for a clipping circuit are an ideal diode and a resistor. In
order to fix the clipping level to the desired amount, a dc battery must also be included.
When the diode is forward biased, it acts as a closed switch, and when it is reverse biased, it
acts as an open switch. Different levels of clipping can be obtained by varying the amount of
voltage of the battery and also interchanging the positions of the diode and resistor.
Depending on the features of the diode, the positive or negative region of the input signal is
clipped off and accordingly the diode clippers may be positive or negative clippers.

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There are two general categories of clippers: series and parallel (or shunt). The series
configuration is defined as one where diode is in series with the load, while the shunt
clipper has the diode in a branch parallel to the load.

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1. Positive Clipper and Negative Clipper

Positive Diode Clipper
In a positive clipper, the positive half cycles of the input voltage will be removed. The circuit
arrangements for a positive clipper are illustrated in the figure given below.

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As shown in the figure, the diode is kept in series with the load. During the positive half cycle
of the input waveform, the diode D is reverse biased, which maintains the output voltage at 0
Volts. Thus causes the positive half cycle to be clipped off. During the negative half cycle of
the input, the diode is forward biased and so the negative half cycle appears across the
output.
In Figure (b), the diode is kept in parallel with the load. This is the diagram of a positive shunt
clipper circuit. During the positive half cycle, the diode D is forward biased and the diode acts
as a closed switch. This causes the diode to conduct heavily. This causes the voltage drop
across the diode or across the load resistance RL to be zero. Thus output voltage during the
positive half cycles is zero, as shown in the output waveform. During the negative half cycles
of the input signal voltage, the diode D is reverse biased and behaves as an open switch.
Consequently the entire input voltage appears across the diode or across the load resistance
RL if R is much smaller than RL

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Actually the circuit behaves as a voltage divider with an output voltage of [RL / R+ RL] Vmax =
-Vmax when RL >> R

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The negative clipping circuit is almost same as the positive clipping circuit, with only one
difference. If the diode in figures (a) and (b) is reconnected with reversed polarity, the circuits
will become for a negative series clipper and negative shunt clipper respectively. The negative
series and negative shunt clippers are shown in figures (a) and (b) as given below.

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breakdown voltage will exist (0.7 V for silicon and 0.3 V for Germanium). When this is taken
into account, the output waveforms for positive and negative clippers will be of the shape
shown in the figure below.

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In all the above discussions, the diode is considered to be ideal one. In a practical diode, the

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Negative and Positive Clipping Waveforms

2. Biased Positive Clipper and Biased Negative Clipper

A biased clipper comes in handy when a small portion of positive or negative half cycles of the
signal voltage is to be removed. When a small portion of the negative half cycle is to be
removed, it is called a biased negative clipper. The circuit diagram and waveform is shown in
the figure below.

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TIn a biased clipper, when the input signal voltage is positive, the diode D is reverse-biased.
This causes it to act as an open-switch. Thus the entire positive half cycle appears across the
load, as illustrated by output waveform [figure (a)]. When the input signal voltage is negative
but does not exceed battery the voltage V, the diode D remains reverse-biased and most of
the input voltage appears across the output. When during the negative half cycle of input
signal, the signal voltage becomes more than the battery voltage V, the diode D is forward
biased and so conducts heavily. The output voltage is equal to - V and stays at - V as long as
the magnitude of the input signal voltage is greater than the magnitude of the battery
voltage, V. Thus a biased negative clipper removes input voltage when the input signal
voltage becomes greater than the battery voltage. Clipping can be changed by reversing the
battery and diode connections, as illustrated in figure (b).

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Some of other biased clipper circuits are given below in the figure. While drawing the waveshape of the output basic principle discussed above are followed. The diode has been
considered as an ideal one.

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Different Clipper Circuits

3. Combination Clipper
When a portion of both positive and negative of each half cycle of the input voltage is to be
clipped (or removed), combination clipper is employed. The circuit for such a clipper is given
in the figure below.

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The action of the circuit is summarized below. For positive input voltage signal when input
voltage exceeds battery voltage + V1 diode D1 conducts heavily while diode D2 is reversed
biased and so voltage + V1 appears across the output. This output voltage + V1 stays as long
as. the input signal voltage exceeds + V1. On the other hand for the negative input voltage
signal, the diode D1 remains reverse biased and diode D2 conducts heavily only when input
voltage exceeds battery voltage V2 in magnitude. Thus during the negative half cycle the
output stays at - V2 so long as the input signal voltage is greater than -V2.

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Drawbacks of Series and Shunt Diode Clippers

In series clippers, when the diode is in OFF position, there will be no transmission of
input signal to output. But in case of high frequency signals transmission occurs through
diode capacitance which is undesirable. This is the drawback of using diode as a series
element in such clippers.
In shunt clippers, when diode is in the off condition, transmission of input signal should
take place to output. But in case of high frequency input signals, diode capacitance
affects the circuit operation adversely and the signal gets attenuated (that is, it passes
through diode capacitance to ground).
To gain more knowledge about various other Clipping circuits say Clipping circuits
using Transistors, Applications of Diode clippers etc. Follow the links below.
TAKE A LOOK : CLIPPING CIRCUITS
TAKE A LOOK : TRANSISTOR CLIPPING CIRCUITS
TAKE A LOOK : DIODE CLIPPERS APPLICATIONS
TAKE A LOOK : DIODE CLAMPING CIRCUITS

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77 thoughts on Diode Clippers An overview of Clipping Circuits

tawazz October 3, 2015 at 5:06 am
iiiiiiiiiiiiii lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiikkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Reply

alisha salve August 26, 2015 at 6:04 am

thanks for give information. thank u once again.
Reply

Soham Desai December 18, 2014 at 12:43 am

It was helpful but more emphasis should be given on the working of biased clipper, like how do
they actually work and what happens with the help of schematic diagrams Otherwise a very
helpful article
Reply

ashlin anna joseph December 4, 2014 at 3:21 am

it was helpful
Reply

ankit November 28, 2014 at 1:55 am

designing of problem based on climper & clamper
Reply

Gayathri November 9, 2014 at 9:30 am

where is slicer?
Reply

Innoxent Boss January 14, 2015 at 7:36 pm

There are three more names of Clipper,one of them is known as slicer !!!
Reply

Kiran September 12, 2014 at 1:32 am

very useful as its too easily presnted and can b understood very wellworth reading
Reply

kaushal August 29, 2015 at 8:11 am

i dont think so there is no explanation of any circuits..
still thanks
Reply

aamir August 9, 2014 at 12:31 am

thanxxxx
Reply

Nilu July 20, 2014 at 10:58 am

Thanks A nice attempt for the students like us

Reply

Uditha May 28, 2014 at 4:23 am

Thank so much
Reply

mohsin sarwar May 16, 2014 at 10:18 am

thanks a lot. but the output graph of (f) is wrong .. if you want to correct this check this out
http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/diode/diode-clipping-circuits.html
Reply

sohel khan May 8, 2014 at 9:49 pm

thanks a lot because it was necessary for me .
Reply

RJ FAHEEM February 26, 2014 at 3:21 am

nice wording and good explanation?but pics are too little>??
Reply

Hazratullah January 25, 2014 at 11:50 pm

This is one of the best ways that solve the students problems Thank You ..
Reply

Ashish January 6, 2014 at 11:57 pm

thankyou very much.i never understood how the biased ones.thanks to you ,now i do.i am very
grateful.
Reply

Zaina Daar December 23, 2013 at 9:36 am

Thanks alot
Reply

Sipra October 26, 2013 at 10:42 pm

thanks its helped me a lot
Reply

iqra nazakat September 28, 2013 at 9:49 am

i,m still confuseeeedddddddd
Reply

akocnaj September 5, 2013 at 7:50 am

where are the formulas ?
Reply

aswini August 4, 2013 at 6:59 am

thnq
Reply

abhishek chopra February 20, 2013 at 11:50 am

information about other cliper circuits not given so i wasnt able t understand it wellplzzz can
you provide me sufficent info 4 this..??
Reply

Tefo Stan Motladi February 18, 2013 at 1:49 pm

thank u a lot wil re visit
Reply

amer December 21, 2012 at 9:13 am

thanks a lot for your help
Reply

DEEPAK KUMAR ANAND September 18, 2012 at 12:33 pm

REALLY I APPRICIATE IT AFTER DEEPLY STUDY.I HAD PROBLEM FOR ANALYSIS OF CLIPER
CIRCUIT ,,,,,,BUT I HAVE NO PROBLRM NOWTHANKS ALOT..
Reply

gourav verma September 16, 2012 at 5:47 am

very easy and good language and point to point answer
Reply

deepak bhadu(grudge) August 31, 2012 at 2:11 am

i reallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly like the
Reply

deepak bhadu(grudge) August 31, 2012 at 2:12 am

clipper in life
Reply

sjking August 22, 2012 at 7:23 am

v.v.v.vnice explenation
Reply

amruthesh August 5, 2012 at 3:27 am

why is resistor connected in series with load in series clipper
Reply

athul October 12, 2012 at 10:30 pm

when the diode is forward biased current flow is high so to protect the diodes from
the heavy flow of current , resistors are used in series
Reply

debopriya August 5, 2012 at 12:30 am

the whole explanation is very nice..
i have understood this very well now..
Reply

NIX July 8, 2012 at 1:15 am

simple and to the point explanation. wish my lecturer could read this prior to class.

Reply

suman sourabh satpathy June 10, 2012 at 8:28 am

it is very nice.
i understd this very well..
Reply

Tittu Thomas June 8, 2012 at 8:17 am

IZZA,
You are right, the biased negative clipper output wave form doesnt clipped off.
I think it will clipped on -(V+D)
v is the voltage source
and
D is the drop in diode
Reply

Tittu Thomas June 8, 2012 at 8:11 am

Get some Tips and Tricks in Clipping Circuits
TRICKS IN CLIPPING CIRCUITS
Reply

iZZa May 23, 2012 at 2:21 am

I think Biased Negative Clipper figure output waveform is wrong. ! let me know if it is my
mistake. thanks anyway
Reply

Saloni Mujawar April 16, 2012 at 7:46 pm

Thanks for the inf.. In short all required data is given
Reply

Rajish kumar April 5, 2012 at 6:53 pm

please explain combine diode circuit with Rquation solver by 3 steps which are given in Boylested
Book.
Reply

Himadri Debmath April 1, 2012 at 6:03 am

Thanks a lot..Though information is very less but it is valuable to me
Reply

Malik Aslam March 29, 2012 at 4:13 am

after read this article i get more confused.?
any body can help me..?
Reply

Muhammad Imran March 23, 2012 at 8:04 am

I feel gud to read all this.
Reply

keshav kumar March 14, 2012 at 8:16 pm

very nice artical

Reply

Yeahia February 20, 2012 at 7:43 am

if some mathematical problem is included with explanation,it will be so helpful.But this makes me
understand the clippers,thanks
Reply

phemy February 15, 2012 at 6:31 am

am bouyant on dis topic
Reply

shakir February 8, 2012 at 6:32 am

it is bs8 way to understand. Thanks
Reply

adeel January 18, 2012 at 11:15 pm

this is good way to solve all the student problems.
Reply

Muhammet January 9, 2012 at 6:09 pm

Hi I am a physics department student, i have a question abuot last picture, if we turn the dc
voltage supllies 180 degree, then how it would be the Vout signal
Reply

aviral raghav December 28, 2011 at 10:27 pm

Good one!!!!!!!! .Helped me clear my doubt.
Reply

vandana joshi December 12, 2011 at 1:41 am

i want to know that when diode is in series with load and battery then why another level v or -v is
introduced in output waveform
Reply

QASIM JAVED December 10, 2011 at 4:22 am

THAX A LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT I M MUCH SATISFIED AFTER READING ALL
Reply

shivam kumar singh December 8, 2011 at 4:37 am

thanks..
Reply

shivam kumar singh December 8, 2011 at 4:36 am

thanks for giving infomation.
Reply

lakhdar December 5, 2011 at 7:47 am

I was so confused between series and shunt clippers,but now i think every thing is OK; thank u so
much.
Reply

nitin gehlot November 28, 2011 at 6:48 am

plz correct the biased -ve clipper o\p waveform..
Reply

SHUBHAM November 18, 2011 at 4:45 pm

VYSAKH,PLEASE SEND ME NOTE OF CLIPPERS
Reply

sudhir sagar October 30, 2011 at 4:41 am

derivation is not clear so make it clear
Reply

Rashmi Ranjan October 22, 2011 at 6:15 am

thank u for this,but iam still not solved it properly.
Reply

avinash October 3, 2011 at 11:11 am

biased negative clipper output waveform is wrong plz correct it
Reply

vysakh August 18, 2011 at 4:22 pm

@pallavi
please giv your e mail id, will sent complete note about biased clipper
Reply

Pallavi August 17, 2011 at 8:00 am

I am still not getting the working of biased clipper
Reply

gopika July 18, 2011 at 10:36 pm

pls explain more abt clippers. explain shunt & series clippers in 2 versions. thats all THANK U 4 ur
help.
Reply

imran khan June 22, 2011 at 9:17 am

i wanna design clipper n pspice plz give values of components thanx alot..
Reply

sajjad May 6, 2011 at 12:26 pm

id problem in clippers but now ive resolved from it
Reply

jojo April 14, 2011 at 1:36 am

Images are redrawn. Now they are clear and perfect. Thanks a lot to every one who commented.
Reply

ali April 12, 2011 at 10:12 pm

thanks alot dude
Reply

physics king February 9, 2011 at 6:16 am

really wonderful!!!!!!!!!!
but images are too small
combination clipping information is less
if diode is not ideal no diagrams are mentioned..
Reply

dimitrist16 February 3, 2011 at 3:34 pm

Thanks a lot!!! Easy to understand.
If only the pics were a little bigger
Reply

Roshni February 1, 2011 at 1:19 am

itz great nd easy to understand
Reply

bhvana sharma November 3, 2010 at 2:05 am

images of series biased clipper are too small. nice description
Reply

ramakant October 30, 2010 at 5:54 am

really nice description but images r too small..
@jeena all the current will pass through the diode when forward bias leaving no voltage drop
accros the resistor..too simple to understand
Reply

vishnu October 2, 2010 at 7:15 am

thanks.got all that i wanted.wish the ckt diagrams were a little bigger.its not clear.
Reply

seetharaman September 12, 2010 at 8:55 am

Hi you have to sufficiently amplify the signal before feeding to this clipping circuit if input is less
than 600mV nothing will happen to the waveform as the diode cannot conduct.
the output cannot be greater than 600mv (1200mV pk pk) so you have to amplify further to
increase the waveform level.
Reply

Jeena September 12, 2010 at 5:54 am

what about the drop across R when shut clipper is considered. When will you tell the diode is
forward biased if the drop across R is not known?
Reply

Tanaji Sengupta September 12, 2010 at 3:37 am

combination clipping information is too less and vague also diagram is not visible clearly
Reply

LockeZz July 25, 2010 at 7:37 am

the image was way too small to be seen
Reply

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