Clipper:

In electronics, a clipper is a device designed to prevent the output of a circuit from exceeding a
predetermined voltage level without distorting the remaining part of the applied waveform. A clipping
circuit consists of linear elements like resistors and non-linear elements like junction diodes or
transistors, but it does not contain energy-storage elements like capacitors. Clipping circuits are used to
select for purposes of transmission, that part of a signal wave form which lies above or below a certain
reference voltage level. Thus a clipper circuit can remove certain portions of an arbitrary waveform
near the positive or negative peaks. Clipping may be achieved either at one level or two levels. Usually
under the section of clipping, there is a change brought about in the wave shape of the signal .Clipping
circuits are also called slicers or amplitude selectors.

Uses of Clipper:
Clippers find several applications, such as

1) They are frequently used for the separation of synchronizing signals from the composite picture
signals.
2) The excessive noise spikes above a certain level can be limited or clipped in FM transmitters by
using the series clippers.

3) For the generation of new waveforms or shaping the existing waveform, clippers are used.

4) The typical application of diode clipper is for the protection of transistor from transients, as a
freewheeling diode connected in parallel across the inductive load. Clippers can be used as voltage
limiters and amplitude selectors.
5) Frequently used half wave rectifier in power supply kits is a typical example of a clipper. It clips
either positive or negative half wave of the input.

Clamper:
A clamper is an electronic circuit that fixes either the positive or the negative peak excursions of a
signal to a defined value by shifting its DC value. The clamper does not restrict the peak-to-peak
excursion of the signal, it moves the whole signal up or down so as to place the peaks at the reference
level.

1) The complex transmitter and receiver circuitry of television clamper is used as a base line
stabilizer to define sections of the luminance signals to preset levels.
2) Clampers are also called as direct current restorers as they clamp the wave forms to a fixed DC
potential.

3) These are frequently used in test equipment, sonar and radar systems.

4) For the protection of the amplifiers from large errant signals clampers are used.
5) Clampers can be used for removing the distortions

6) For improving the overdrive recovery time clampers are used.

7) Clampers can be used as voltage doublers or voltage multipliers.

Half Rectifier:
A half wave rectifier is a type of rectifier which allows only half cycle (either positive half cycle or
negative half cycle) of the input AC signal while the another half cycle is blocked.

Welding: Half wave Rectification is used in Welding plant. Where AC current is changed into DC
current.
 Full wave Rectification
The half-wave rectifier chopped off half our signal. A full-wave rectifier does more clever trick:
it flips the - half of the signal up into the + range. When used in a power supply, the full-wave rectifier
allows us to convert almost all the incoming AC power to DC.

1 type of Full Wave Rectification

2 type of Full Wave Rectification

Uses:
The primary application of bridge rectifiers is to transform an AC supply into DC power. All electronic
devices require direct current, so bridge rectifiers are used inside the power supplies of almost all
electronic equipment. Bridge rectifiers are also used for detecting the amplitude of modulated radio
signals. The signal may be amplified before it is detected. If it is not, then a very low voltage drop
diode or a diode biased with a fixed voltage must be used. Rectifiers are also used to supply polarized
voltage for welding applications. Control of the output current is required in such circuits, and this may
be achieved by replacing some of the diodes in a bridge rectifier with thyristors, which are diodes
whose voltage output can be regulated by switching on and off with phase fired controllers.
Zener Diode:
A Zener diode allows current to flow from its anode to its cathode like a normal semiconductor diode,
but it also permits current to flow in the reverse direction when its "Zener voltage" is reached. Zener
diodes have a highly doped p-n junction. Normal diodes will also break down with a reverse voltage
but the voltage and sharpness of the knee are not as well defined as for a Zener diode. Also normal
diodes are not designed to operate in the breakdown region, but Zener diodes can reliably operate in
this region.

Uses:
Zener diodes are widely used as voltage references and as shunt regulators to regulate the voltage
across small circuits. When connected in parallel with a variable voltage source so that it is reverse
biased, a Zener diode conducts when the voltage reaches the diode's reverse breakdown voltage. From
that point on, the relatively low impedance of the diode keeps the voltage across the diode at that value

Another form of Zener diode circuit is an overvoltage protection circuit. While power supplies are
normally reliable, the effects of the series pass transistor or FET can be catastrophic if it fails by
forming a short circuit. In this case the full unregulated voltage would be placed onto the circuits using
the regulated power. This could destroy all the chips being powered.

The Zener diode is a very flexible and useful circuit component. However, like any other electronics
component, there are a few hints and tips which enable the best to be made of the Zener diode. A
number are listed below.

Choose correct voltage for best stability: In applications where stability with temperature
changes is required, the Zener voltage reference diode should be chosen to have a voltage of
around 5.5 volts. The nearest preferred value is 5.6 volts although 5.1 volts is another popular
value in view of its proximity to 5 volts required for some logic families. Where different levels
of voltage are required, the 5.6 volt Zener can be used and the surrounding electronics can be
used to transfer this to the required output value.
Buffer the Zener diode circuit with an emitter or source follower: To keep the voltage from the
Zener diode as stable as possible, the current flowing through the Zener diode must be kept
constant. Any variations in current drawn by the load must be minimised as these will change
the current through the Zener diode and cause slight voltage variations. The changes caused by
the load can be minimised by using an emitter follower stage to reduce the current taken from
the Zener diode circuit and hence the variations it sees. This also has the advantage that smaller
Zener diodes may be used.
Drive with constant current source for best stability: Another way of improving the Zener
stability is to use a good constant current source. A simple resistor is adequate for many
applications, but a more effective current source can provide some improvements as the current
can be maintained almost regardless of any variations in supply rail.
Ensure sufficient current for reverse breakdown: It is necessary to ensure that sufficient
current is passed through the diode to ensure that it remains in reverse breakdown. For a typical
400 mW device a current of around 5 mA must be maintained. For exact values of minimum
current, the datasheet for the particular device and voltage should be consulted.
Ensure maximum limits of current are not exceeded for the Zener diode: While it is necessary
to ensure sufficient current is passed through the Zener diode, the maximum limits must not be
exceeded. This can be a bit of a balancing act in some circuits as variations in load current will
cause the Zener diode current to vary. Care should be taken not to exceed the maximum current
or the maximum power dissipation (Zener voltage x Zener diode current). If this appears to be
a problem, an emitter follower circuit can be used to buffer the Zener diode and increase the
current capability.