Experiment No: 07
Experiment Name: Study of the wave form of a clamper circuit.
Objectives:
To observe, measure and calculate readings, draw curve and study the characteristics
of clamper circuit.
Equipment’s:
1. Diode ( 1 piece )
2. Resistor ( 1 piece ) ( 10 kΩ )
3. Capacitor ( 1 piece ) (0.1 µF )
4. Function Generator
5. DC Power supply ( 5 V )
6. Connecting Probe
7. Oscilloscope
Theory:
The clamping network is one that will “clamp” a signal to a different dc level. The
network must have a capacitor, a diode, and a resistive element, but it can also employ
an independent dc supply to introduce an additional shift. The magnitude of R and C
must be chosen such that the time constant ԏ = RC is large enough to ensure that the
voltage across the capacitor does not discharge significantly during the interval the
diode is non-conducting. Throughout the analysis we will assume that for all practical
purposes the capacitor will fully charge or discharge in five-time constants.
The network of Fig. 3 will clamp the input signal to the zero level (for ideal diodes).
The resistor R can be the load resistor, or a parallel combination of the load resistor
and a resistor designed to provide the desired level of R.
Figure 1: Clamper circuit.
During the interval 0 → T/2 the network will appear as shown in Fig. 2, with the diode
in the “on” state effectively “shorting out” the effect of the resistor R. The resulting
RC time constant is so small (R determined by the inherent resistance of the network)
that the capacitor will charge to V volts very quickly. During this interval the output
voltage is directly across the short circuit and Vo = 0 V.
Figure 2: Diode “on” and the capacitor Figure 3: Determining Vo with the
charging to V volts . diode “off.
When the input switches to the -V state, the network will appear as shown in Fig. 3,
with the open-circuit equivalent for the diode determined by the applied signal and
stored voltage across the capacitor—both “pressuring” current through the diode from
cathode to anode. Now that R is back in the network the time constant determined by
the RC product is sufficiently large to establish a discharge period 5 ԏ much greater
than the period T/2 → T, and it can be assumed on an approximate basis that the
capacitor holds onto all its charge and, therefore, voltage (since V = Q/C) during this
period.
Since Vo is in parallel with the diode and resistor, it can also be drawn in the
alternative position shown in Fig. 3. Applying Kirchhoff’s voltage law around the
input loop will result in
- V - V - Vo = 0
And Vo = - 2V
Figure 4 : Sketching Vo for the network of Fig. 3.
The negative sign resulting from the fact that the polarity of 2V is opposite to the
polarity defined for Vo. The resulting output waveform appears in Fig. 4 with the input
signal. The output signal is clamped to 0 V for the interval 0 to T/2 but maintains the
same total swing (2V) as the input.
Experimental Diagram:
Fig: Clamper Circuit
Experimental Data:
Input:
Input voltage, vi = 3.9 volt
Frequency, f = 150 Hz
Time period, T = 6.05 ms
Output:
Output voltage, Vm = 0 volt ( positive half cycle )
And, - Vm = 6.2 volt ( negative half cycle )
Time period, T = 6 ms
Graph of input and output signal:
Figure-1: Input AC signal
Figure-2: Output signal with 0.1 µF
Figure-3: Output signal with 1 µF
Conclusion:
The study of a clamper circuit has provided valuable insights into the fundamental
principles of electronic circuits and their applications. Through this experiment, we
gained a deeper understanding of how clamper circuits can be utilized to shift the DC
level of a waveform without altering its shape.
