Clippers and Clampers are very important for changing waveforms into different shapes. They are important parts of handling signals, helping engineers to manage and change electrical messages. A clipper is a simple electric system made to change the shape of an incoming sound wave. It controls or “clips” how loud it can be, so we don’t need full strength from start to finish. A clipper’s job is to take out or handle certain parts of a signal when it goes above or below a set limit. On the other hand, a clamper is an electronic part made to put DC (steady current) into AC (changing current). A clamper’s job is to move the whole waveform higher or lower without changing its shape.

What is Clipper?

A Clipper is a special circuit in electronics that cuts or stops the size of sound waves. It lets signals go through at a certain distance, getting rid of any parts that are beyond the set rules. Clippers are used in audio editing, phone systems, and many types of electronic gadgets.

Working of Clipper

Using a Clipper means picking out parts of the input waveform and removing them. This is done by using diodes to make a small drop in voltage. This stops the signal’s strength from being too high. Here is a general explanation of the working of a clipper:

• Diode Operation: Clippers often use diodes to manage electricity flow. Diodes let current flow in one way only. In simple terms, a clipper uses this feature to control the size of waveform peaks.
• Series and Shunt Configurations: Clippers can be set up in line or side by side (parallel) with the input signal. In a series clipper, the diode is linked with the signal path in line. This lets it chop up waveform when power gets over some limit value. In a type of clipper called a shunt, the diode is linked to help with how electricity flows if there’s too much voltage.
• Threshold Voltage: The main thing in a clipper is the voltage limit. This is the amount of electricity needed for the diode to begin letting it move, which helps control how big or small a signal can be. The starting voltage decides when the cutting action happens.
• Clipping Action: When the waveform of input gets bigger than a certain point, it causes the diode to start flowing. This makes going from one side to another in low resistance easy for that signal. This makes the high-voltage part of the waveform smaller by directing it away through a special type of electronic device called a diode.

Types of Clipper

There are some Types of Clipper given below :

Series Clippers

In series clippers, the diode is connected in series with the input signal. When the voltage of the input waveform exceeds a certain threshold, the diode conducts and clips the waveform.

Series Positive Clippers

Operation: It uses a diode put in series with the incoming signal. The diode works during the up half-cycle, limiting the amplitude of positive waves.

Effect: Limits the positive portion of the signal, which clips and molds it into a wave shape.

Series Positive Clippers

Series Positive Clipper with Bias

Operation: Adds a DC bias voltage to the diode in series with it on a positive clipper. This bias affects when the diode starts to work, giving better control over the positive clipping level.

Effect: Makes the clipper better by letting engineers carefully adjust the positive clipping point.

Series Positive Clipper with Bias

Series Negative Clipper

Operation: Uses a diode in series with the incoming signal to clip the negative half of the waveform. The diode allows current to flow during the negative part, reducing the amplitude.

Effect: Reduces the negative portion of the signal, shaping the waveform by clipping its amplitude.

Series Negative Clipper

Series Negative Clipper with Bias

Operation: Uses a DC voltage in series with the diode for negative clipping. The bias changes how the diode works during negative half-cycle, giving exact control over over the negative clipping level.

Effect: Gives extra power over the negative clipping point, allowing for more customization.

Series Negative Clipper with Bias

Shunt Clippers

Shunt clippers use diodes connected in parallel with the input signal. When the voltage surpasses a specified level, the diode conducts and provides an alternative path for the current, effectively clipping the signal.

Shunt Clippers

Shunt Positive Clipper

Operation: Uses a diode parallel with the input signal to clip the positive half of waveform. The diode allows electricity to flow when the positive part gets too high, giving a different way for current.

Effect: Limits the positive portion of the signal by making a low-resistance path, effectively clipping the amplitude.

Shunt Positive Clipper

Shunt Positive Clipper with Bias

Operation: Adds a DC voltage with the diode in positive clipper. The bias affects the conduction point of the diode in positive half-cycle, allowing for more controlled clipping.

Effect: It makes positive clipping more accurate by adding a bias voltage.

Shunt Positive Clipper with Bias

Shunt Negative Clipper

Operation: Uses a diode, which is parallel with the input signal. It cuts off the negative half of waveform. The diode lets current flow during the negative portion of the waveform, providing an alternative path for the current.

Effect: Restricts the negative portion of the signal by making a low-resistance path, effectively clipping the amplitude.

Shunt Negative Clipper

Shunt Negative Clipper with Bias

Operation: Adds a DC voltage to the diode in a negative-clipping circuit. The bias affects the conduction point of the diode during the negative half-cycle, allowing for more precise control over negative clipping.

Effect: It makes negative clipping more accurate by adding a bias voltage.

Shunt Negative Clipper with Bias

Dual (Combination) Clipper

Operation: Uses features from both series and shunt clippers, often with two diodes. This setup is very useful for changing the shape of waveform. It enables control over both parts, positive and negative halves.

Effect: Gives engineers freedom to create circuits that can selectively clip both positive and negative portions of the waveform, providing a broader range of applications.

What is Clamper?

A clamper, also called a DC restorer or level shifter, is an electronic device made to add in a steady current part with the twisty electric wave pattern. The job of a clamper is to move the whole wave up or down without changing its shape. This is done by adding a capacitor and a diode to the circuit, making it possible for energy storage or release.

Working of Clamper

Here’s a general overview of the working of a clamper:

• Basic Components: A clamper circuit usually has a capacitor (C), a diode (D) and a resistor (R). The capacitor is linked to the input wave with a series connection. Meanwhile, the diode sits side by side (in parallel) with this capacitor.
• Charging Phase: When the input AC waveform is positive, it charges through a diode. The diode lets the current move only when the input power is more than what’s stored in the capacitor.
• Discharging Phase: When the AC input signal is dropping, the diode blocks more charging because it works against current flow. But, the capacitor starts to lose its energy through the resistor. It still keeps a voltage level between its ends.
• DC Level Adjustment: The loading and releasing of the capacitor change its whole pattern up or down, depending on which way the diode is pointing. You can change how strong the output waveform is by controlling when it gets more power and less power. This depends on the size of the capacitor and resistor used.

Types of Clamper

Positive Clamper

A positive clamper is a type of clamper circuit that shifts the entire waveform in the positive direction. It adds a positive DC component to the input signal during the charging phase, resulting in an upward shift of the waveform.

Positive Clamper

Positive clamper with positive Vr

Operation: Adding a positive voltage changes the amount of DC. When the charging capacitor and positive voltage are put together, they cause a stronger upwards shift in the output pattern.

Effect: The entire waveform moves higher by a value chosen from the positive voltage.

Positive clamper with positive Vr

Positive Clamper with Negative Vr

Operation: A negative bias voltage in a positive clamper changes the DC level. This happens because of downward shift caused by the negative side. This makes the negative change in the output waveform more noticeable.

Effect: The entire waveform is moved down lower by an amount decided by the negative voltage.

Positive Clamper with Negative Vr

Negative Clamper

In contrast, a negative clamper shifts the entire waveform in the negative direction. It adds a negative DC component to the input signal during the charging phase, leading to a downward shift of the waveform.

Negative Clamper

Negative clamper with positive Vr

Operation: Adding a good extra electricity in a negative clamper affects the level that doesn’t change. The use of a charging battery and a strong positive pressure leads to an increased shift towards the positive side in the output pattern.

Effect: The entire waveform is moved higher by a measure decided by the positive battery voltage.

Negative clamper with positive Vr

Negative Clamper with Negative Vr

Operation: Adding a negative voltage in a clamper causes it to lower the DC level by moving down. This happens because of the negativity from that extra charge you add on. This makes the downward change in the output waveform more noticeable.

Effect: The entire waveform is moved down by an amount set by the negative battery voltage.

Negative Clamper with Negative Vr

Clippers and Clampers using Op-Amp

Op-Amps or Operational amplifiers can be added to clippers and clampers. This makes them more accurate and flexible in their performance. Let’s briefly explore how Op-Amps are utilized in both clippers and clampers:

Op-Amps in Clippers

• Comparator-Based Clippers: Op-Amps are often used in clippers that use comparators. In this setup, the Op-Amp works as a high-gain matcher. The Op-Amp’s non-inverting side is linked to a fixed voltage, and the inverting part connects with the incoming signal.
• Voltage Clamping: By changing the voltage of reference, engineers can control when Op-Amp starts to get saturated. This way they make a clipper that stops signals passing through it beyond a certain level. When the signal is sending too much power than what’s normal, an Op-Amp gets full and stops making sound.
• Precision Clipping: Op-Amps give exact control and fine tuning of the clipping level. This makes them good choices for use in situations where accurate cutting is important, like dealing with audio signals.

Op-Amps in Clampers

• Precision Level Shifting: Op-Amps are often used in clamper circuits to get accurate level changes. The Op-Amp, working with other parts, helps to correctly set the DC level of the output wave’s shape.
• Voltage Follower Configuration: A type of circuit called a clamper can use an Op-Amp setup as a voltage follower. The capacitor is linked to the negative input, and the Op-Amp keeps a pretend zero at that point.
• Enhanced Stability: Op-Amps help the clamper circuit stay steady by giving a big input resistance and low output resistance. This reduces how much it affects other devices in its way.
• Biasing Control: In biased clampers, Op-Amps help to manage the bias voltage. This lets you exactly set up how much DC is added during charging of a waveform curve’s peaks and troughs.

Difference Between Clipper and Clamper