Sanciangko Street, Cebu City

College of Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

ECE 221A
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS: DEVICES AND
ANALYSIS

DIODE CLIPPING AND CLAMPING

(Multisim Lab Manual)
Plate No. 3

Date Submitted: May 20, 2022

Submitted by:

Rosel, Earl John Dabide M.

Submitted to:

ENGR. LARRY ANGELO R. CAÑETE

 UNIVERSITY OF CEBU
College of Engineering

Electrical Engineering Laboratory

Plate No. 3

Earl John Dabide M. Rosel ___BSEE-2_________

Name Course/ Year

________Group 1_________ _______20/05/2022_____

Group Date

I. TITLE : DIODE CLIPPING AND CLAMPING

II. OBJECTIVES:

1. To understand the theory of operation of the clipping and clamping diode circuits.
2. To analyse the waveforms created by different clipping and clamping techniques.
3. To verify the waveforms shown on theory using the oscilloscope.
4. To simulate via Multisim software.

III. INSTRUMENTS AND COMPONENTS (Multisim Directory):

MATERIAL COMPONENT GROUP FAMILY

Diode (2) DIODE Diodes DIODES_VIRTUAL

Zener Diode (2) ZENER Diodes DIODES_VIRTUAL

Function Generator - - -

Oscilloscope - - -

Resistor 1k Basic RESISTOR

Ground GROUND Sources POWER_SOURCES

Battery DC_POWER Sources POWER_SOURCES

Capacitor 1μF Basic CAPACITOR

IV. DIAGRAMS
V. THEORY

DIODE CLIPPING
This clipping of the input signal produces an output waveform that resembles a flattened
version of the input. For example, the half-wave rectifier is a clipper circuit, since all voltages below
zero are eliminated. But Diode Clipping Circuits can be used in a variety of applications to modify
an input waveform using signal and Schottky diodes or to provide over-voltage protection using
zener diodes to ensure that the output voltage never exceeds a certain level protecting the circuit
from high voltage spikes. Then diode clipping circuits can be used in voltage limiting applications.

A. Positive Diode Clipping Circuits

In this diode clipping circuit, the diode is forward biased (anode more positive than
cathode) during the positive half cycle of the sinusoidal input waveform. For the diode to become
forward biased, it must have an input voltage magnitude greater than +0.7 volts (0.3 volts for a
germanium diode).

When this happens the diode begins to conduct and holds the voltage across itself constant
at 0.7V until the sinusoidal waveform falls below this value. Thus the output voltage which is taken
across the diode can never exceed 0.7 volts during the positive half cycle.

During the negative half cycle, the diode is reverse biased (cathode more positive than
anode) blocking current flow through itself and as a result has no effect on the negative half of the
sinusoidal voltage which passes to the load unaltered. Thus the diode limits the positive half of the
input waveform and is known as a positive clipper circuit.

B. Negative Diode Clipping Circuits

Here the reverse is true. The diode is forward biased during the negative half cycle of the
sinusoidal waveform and limits or clips it to –0.7 volts while allowing the positive half cycle to pass
unaltered when reverse biased. As the diode limits the negative half cycle of the input voltage it is
therefore called a negative clipper circuit.

C. Clipping of Both Half Cycles

If we connected two diodes in an inverse parallel as shown, then both the positive and
negative half cycles would be clipped as diode D1 clips the positive half cycle of the sinusoidal input
waveform while diode D2 clips the negative half cycle. Then diode clipping circuits can be used to
clip the positive half cycle, the negative half cycle or both.

For ideal diodes the output waveform above would be zero. However, due to the forward
bias voltage drop across the diodes the actual clipping point occurs at +0.7 volts and –0.7 volts
respectively. But we can increase this ±0.7V threshold to any value we want up to the maximum
value, (VPEAK) of the sinusoidal waveform either by connecting together more diodes in series
creating multiples of 0.7 volts, or by adding a voltage bias to the diodes.

Biased Diode Clipping Circuits

To produce diode clipping circuits for voltage waveforms at different levels, a bias voltage,
VBIAS is added in series with the diode to produce a combination clipper as shown. The voltage
across the series combination must be greater than V BIAS + 0.7V before the diode becomes
sufficiently forward biased to conduct. For example, if the V BIAS level is set at 4.0 volts, then the
sinusoidal voltage at the diode’s anode terminal must be greater than 4.0 + 0.7 = 4.7 volts for it to
become forward biased. Any anode voltage levels above this bias point are clipped off.

D. Positive Bias Diode Clipping

 Likewise, by reversing the diode and the battery bias voltage, when a diode conducts the
negative half cycle of the output waveform is held to a level –VBIAS – 0.7V as shown.

E. Negative Bias Diode Clipping

A variable diode clipping or diode limiting level can be achieved by varying the bias voltage
of the diodes. If both the positive and the negative half cycles are to be clipped, then two biased
clipping diodes are used. But for both positive and negative diode clipping, the bias voltage need
not be the same. The positive bias voltage could be at one level, for example 4 volts, and the
negative bias voltage at another, for example 6 volts as shown.

F. Diode Clipping of Different Bias Levels

When the voltage of the positive half cycle reaches +4.7 V, diode D1 conducts and limits the
waveform at +4.7 V. Diode D2 does not conduct until the voltage reaches –6.7 V. Therefore, all
positive voltages above +4.7 V and negative voltages below –6.7 V are automatically clipped.

The advantage of biased diode clipping circuits is that it prevents the output signal from
exceeding preset voltage limits for both half cycles of the input waveform, which could be an input
from a noisy sensor or the positive and negative supply rails of a power supply.

If the diode clipping levels are set too low or the input waveform is too great then the
elimination of both waveform peaks could end up with a square-wave shaped waveform.

Zener Diode Clipping Circuits

The use of a bias voltage means that the amount of the voltage waveform that is clipped off
can be accurately controlled. But one of the main disadvantages of using voltage biased diode
clipping circuits, is that they need an additional emf battery source which may or may not be a
problem.

One easy way of creating biased diode clipping circuits without the need for an additional
emf supply is to use Zener Diodes.

As we know, the zener diode is another type of diode that has been specially manufactured
to operate in its reverse biased breakdown region and as such can be used for voltage regulation of
zener diode clipping applications. In the forward region, the zener acts just like an ordinary silicon
diode with a forward voltage drop of 0.7V (700mV) when conducting, the same as above.

However, in the reverse bias region, the voltage is blocked until the zener diodes
breakdown voltage is reached. At this point, the reverse current through the zener increases
sharply but the zener voltage, VZ across the device remains constant even if the zener current, IZ
varies.

Then we can put this zener action to good effect by using them for clipping a waveform as
shown.

G. Zener Diode Clipping

The zener diode is acting like a biased diode clipping circuit with the bias voltage being
equal to the zener breakdown voltage. In this circuit during the positive half of the waveform the
zener diode is reverse biased so the waveform is clipped at the zener voltage, VZD1. During the
negative half cycle the zener acts like a normal diode with its usual 0.7V junction value.

We can develop this idea further by using the zener diodes reverse-voltage characteristics
to clip both halves of a waveform using series connected back-to-back zener diodes as shown.

H. Full-wave Zener Diode Clipping

The output waveform from full wave zener diode clipping circuits resembles that of the
previous voltage biased diode clipping circuit. The output waveform will be clipped at the zener
voltage plus the 0.7V forward voltage drop of the other diode. So for example, the positive half cycle
will be clipped at the sum of zener diode, ZD1 plus 0.7V from ZD2 and vice versa for the negative
half cycle.

Zener diodes are manufactured with a wide range of voltages and can be used to give
different voltage references on each half cycle, the same as above. Zener diodes are available with
zener breakdown voltages, VZ ranging from 2.4 to 33 volts, with a typical tolerance of 1 or 5%. Note
that once conducting in the reverse breakdown region, full current will flow through the zener
diode so a suitable current limiting resistor, R1 must be chosen.
DIODE CLAMPING
A. Positive Clamper

A Clamping circuit restores the DC level. When a negative peak of the signal is raised above
to the zero level, then the signal is said to be positively clamped.
A Positive Clamper circuit is one that consists of a diode, a resistor and a capacitor and that
shifts the output signal to the positive portion of the input signal. The figure below explains the
construction of a positive clamper circuit.

Initially when the input is given, the capacitor is not yet charged and the diode is reverse
biased. The output is not considered at this point of time. During the negative half cycle, at the
peak value, the capacitor gets charged with negative on one plate and positive on the other. The
capacitor is now charged to its peak value Vm. The diode is forward biased and conducts heavily.

During the next positive half cycle, the capacitor is charged to positive Vm while the diode
is reverse biased and gets open circuited. The output of the circuit at this moment will be

V0=Vi+Vm

Hence the signal is positively clamped as shown in the above figure. The output signal
changes according to the changes in the input, but shifts the level according to the charge on the
capacitor, as it adds the input voltage .

B. Positive Clamper with Positive Vr

A Positive clamper circuit if biased with some positive reference voltage, that voltage will be
added to the output to raise the clamped level. Using this, the circuit of the positive clamper with
positive reference voltage is constructed as below.

During the positive half cycle, the reference voltage is applied through the diode at the
output and as the input voltage increases, the cathode voltage of the diode increases with respect to
the anode voltage and hence it stops conducting. During the negative half cycle, the diode is forward
biased and starts conducting. The voltage across the capacitor and the reference voltage together
maintain the output voltage level.
C. Positive Clamper with Negative Vr

A Positive clamper circuit if biased with some negative reference voltage, that voltage will
be added to the output to raise the clamped level. Using this, the circuit of the positive clamper with
positive reference voltage is constructed as below.

During the positive half cycle, the voltage across the capacitor and the reference voltage
together maintain the output voltage level. During the negative half-cycle, the diode conducts when
the cathode voltage gets less than the anode voltage. These changes make the output voltage as
shown in the above figure

D. Negative Clamper

A Negative Clamper circuit is one that consists of a diode, a resistor and a capacitor and that
shifts the output signal to the negative portion of the input signal. The figure below explains the
construction of a negative clamper circuit.

During the positive half cycle, the capacitor gets charged to its peak value Vm. The diode is
forward biased and conducts. During the negative half cycle, the diode is reverse biased and gets
open circuited. The output of the circuit at this moment will be

V0=Vi+Vm

Hence the signal is negatively clamped as shown in the above figure. The output signal
changes according to the changes in the input, but shifts the level according to the charge on the
capacitor, as it adds the input voltage.

E. Negative Clamper with Positive Vr

A Negative clamper circuit if biased with some positive reference voltage, that voltage will
be added to the output to raise the clamped level. Using this, the circuit of the negative clamper
with positive reference voltage is constructed as below.
 Though the output voltage is negatively clamped, a portion of the output waveform is raised
to the positive level, as the applied reference voltage is positive. During the positive half-cycle, the
diode conducts, but the output equals the positive reference voltage applied. During the negative
half cycle, the diode acts as open circuited and the voltage across the capacitor forms the output.

F. Negative Clamper with Negative Vr

A Negative clamper circuit if biased with some negative reference voltage, that voltage will
be added to the output to raise the clamped level. Using this, the circuit of the negative clamper
with negative reference voltage is constructed as below.

The cathode of the diode is connected with a negative reference voltage, which is less than
that of zero and the anode voltage. Hence the diode starts conducting during the positive half cycle,
before the zero voltage level. During the negative half cycle, the voltage across the capacitor
appears at the output. Thus the waveform is clamped towards the negative portion.

VI. PROCEDURES

DIODE CLIPPING
NOTE: Applies to all circuit diagrams - set the function generator to 10V peak at 750Hz (0V
Offset) and choose the sinusoidal waveform for expected output. Double-click on the oscilloscope
and set timebase to 1ms/Div and channel scale to 10V/Div.

A. Positive Diode Clipping Circuits

1. Strictly configure the circuit diagram as shown in Fig 1 using the Multisim software.
2. Run the simulation.
3. Observe and record the waveforms created on the oscilloscope.
4. Compare the result with the expected waveform shown on Positive Diode Clipping Circuits
in the theory section.
B. Negative Diode Clipping Circuits
1. From the circuit created based on Fig 1, simply flip the diode vertically to complete Fig 2 on
the Multisim software.
2. Run the simulation.
3. Observe and record the waveforms created on the oscilloscope.
 4. Compare the result with the expected waveform shown on Negative Diode Clipping
Circuits in the theory section.

C. Clipping of Both Half Cycles

1. From the circuit created based on Fig 2, add another diode to circuit parallel with the other
while having opposite directions to complete Fig 3 on the Multisim software.
2. Run the simulation.
3. Observe and record the waveforms created on the oscilloscope.
4. Compare the result with the expected waveform shown on Clipping of Both Half Cycles in
the theory section.

D. Positive Bias Diode Clipping

1. Strictly configure the circuit diagram as shown in Fig 4 using the Multisim software.
2. Run the simulation.
3. Observe and record the waveforms created on the oscilloscope.
4. Compare the result with the expected waveform shown on Positive Bias Diode Clipping in
the theory section.

E. Negative Bias Diode Clipping

1. Strictly configure the circuit diagram as shown in Fig 5 by connecting a diode and a dc
source in series using the Multisim software.
2. Run the simulation.
3. Observe and record the waveforms created on the oscilloscope.
4. Compare the result with the expected waveform shown on Negative Bias Diode Clipping in
the theory section.

F. Diode Clipping of Different Bias Levels

1. Strictly configure the circuit diagram as shown in Fig 6 by connecting a diode and a dc
source in series using the Multisim software.
2. Run the simulation.
3. Observe and record the waveforms created on the oscilloscope.
4. Compare the result with the expected waveform shown on Diode Clipping of Different
Bias Levels in the theory section.

G. Zener Diode Clipping

1. Strictly configure the circuit diagram as shown in Fig 7 by connecting a diode and a dc
source in series using the Multisim software.
2. Run the simulation.
3. Observe and record the waveforms created on the oscilloscope.
4. Compare the result with the expected waveform shown on Zener Diode Clipping in the
theory section.

H. Full-wave Zener Diode Clipping

1. Strictly configure the circuit diagram as shown in Fig 8 by connecting a diode and a dc
source in series using the Multisim software.
2. Run the simulation.
3. Observe and record the waveforms created on the oscilloscope.
4. Compare the result with the expected waveform shown on Full-wave Zener Diode Clipping
in the theory section.
DIODE CLAMPING
A. Positive Clamper

1. Strictly configure the circuit diagram as shown in Fig 9 by connecting a diode and a dc
source in series using the Multisim software.
2. Run the simulation.
3. Observe and record the waveforms created on the oscilloscope.
4. Compare the result with the expected waveform shown on Positive Clamper in the theory
section.

B. Positive Clamper with Positive Vr

1. Strictly configure the circuit diagram as shown in Fig 10 by connecting a diode and a dc
source in series using the Multisim software.
2. Run the simulation.
3. Observe and record the waveforms created on the oscilloscope.
4. Compare the result with the expected waveform shown on Positive Clamper with Positive
Vr in the theory section.

C. Positive Clamper with Negative Vr

1. Strictly configure the circuit diagram as shown in Fig 11 by connecting a diode and a dc
source in series using the Multisim software.
2. Run the simulation.
3. Observe and record the waveforms created on the oscilloscope.
4. Compare the result with the expected waveform shown on Positive Clamper with Negative
Vr in the theory section.

D. Negative Clamper

1. Strictly configure the circuit diagram as shown in Fig 12 by connecting a diode and a dc
source in series using the Multisim software.
2. Run the simulation.
3. Observe and record the waveforms created on the oscilloscope.
4. Compare the result with the expected waveform shown on Negative Clamper in the theory
section.

E. Negative Clamper with Positive Vr

1. Strictly configure the circuit diagram as shown in Fig 13 by connecting a diode and a dc
source in series using the Multisim software.
2. Run the simulation.
3. Observe and record the waveforms created on the oscilloscope.
4. Compare the result with the expected waveform shown on Negative Clamper with Positive
Vr in the theory section.

F. Negative Clamper with Negative Vr

1. Strictly configure the circuit diagram as shown in Fig 14 by connecting a diode and a dc
source in series using the Multisim software.
2. Run the simulation.
3. Observe and record the waveforms created on the oscilloscope.
 4. Compare the result with the expected waveform shown on Negative Clamper with
Negative Vr in the theory section.

VII. TABULATED DATA AND RESULTS

(See GRAPHS AND CURVES for simulation results)

VIII. COMPUTATIONS

(N/A)

IX. GRAPHS AND CURVES

Attach the graphs of sinusoidal waveforms created by each figure on the

oscilloscope display in the Multisim software.

Positive Diode Clipping Circuits

Negative Diode Clipping Circuits

Clipping of Both Half Cycles

Positive Bias Diode Clipping

Negative Bias Diode Clipping

Diode Clipping of Different Bias Levels

Zener Diode Clipping

Full-wave Zener Diode Clipping

Positive Clamper
Positive Clamper with Positive Vr

Positive Clamper with Negative Vr

Negative Clamper

Negative Clamper with Positive Vr

Negative Clamper with Negative Vr

X. OBSERVATION AND CONCLUSION

XII. REFERENCES

1. https://www.daenotes.com/electronics/devices-circuits/clipper-clamper

2. https://electronicscoach.com/difference-between-clipper-and-clamper.html

3. Experiments in Electronics Fundamentals and Electric Circuits Fundamentals on Diode

Clipper and Clamper , 4th Edition by Buchla, David

4. Digital Fundamentals on Diodes, 9th Edition by Floyd, Thomas