Non-Inverting Clipper Question - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: eev_carl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2018, 12:03:06 pm
content: Hi,I built an inverting clipper from a Mims' scrapbook, but am having trouble with a non-inverting clipper.I expected a symmetrical result but it looks like the op amp is amplifying some DC, clipping the positive part of the signal and passing the negative part.The scope screenshot shows a 741 with 3V6 Zener diodes. I've also tried an LM6171 and 5V6 diodes. I have 0.01uF caps across V+/GND and V-/GND.Thanks in advance,Carl

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2018, 12:36:56 pm
content: The circuit will amplify DC voltages, since it's DC coupled, but that doesn't seem to be the problem.What are the supply voltages?

author: eev_carl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2018, 05:19:35 pm
content: Supply is +-9VIf I take the diodes out, the circuit works as a non-inverting amp. My scope shows a 5V output sine wave in phase with a 500mV input. That output is riding on a DC signal too.My sine wave is coming from a DG1022. I tried two impedance settings: High and 50ohm. I can set it to something else.

author: daddylonglegs
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 10:48:39 am
content: Carl,I'm not sure what is causing the offset; try placing a 1kR resistor to ground on the non-inverting input and check that both diodes are reasonably matched zeners. How are the offset pins on the op-amp connected?If the zener diodes are perfect (they aren't, not even close) then the output voltage of this circuit will be:Vo = 11 * Vin | small Vin, that is |Vin| <= (Vf + Vr) / 10Vo = Vin + Vf + Vr | large Vin, |Vo| < maxVoVo = +- maxVo | when the opamp is at it's limitwhere:Vo : output voltage,Vin : input voltage,Vf: diode forward voltage ~= 0,7V,Vr: diode reverse voltage ~= 5.0,maxVo: maximum output voltage of the op-amp at the current supply voltage and output current.When this circuit is "clipping" at Vr + Vf the output will still have a term equal to the input as the feedback loop drives the inverting input to match the non-inverting input. So in the perfect case this circuit will still have a hump when it clips.The zeners will not be perfect and you should look at the datasheet for the relationship between current and voltage around the knee (or measure for yourself). This will round off your corners.Perhaps the biggest problem is the lack of headroom. The 741 output limits several volts below it's power rail (this is dependent on the output current). With +-9V power rails and a circuit configuration that will only clip at Vo >= 6.2V the circuit may limit due to the op-amp before the zeners start limiting. You could try higher voltage power rails. It's worth pointing out that the 741 is obsolete in term's of it's performance; these days you can get better op-amps for the price of the package they come in.P.S. The datasheet for a 741 I have (Texas Instruments LM741 SNOSC25D – MAY 1998 – REVISED OCTOBER 2015) recommends a minimum supply voltage of +-10V!. Look through your datasheet for "Recommended Operating Conditions" and "Output voltage swing."

author: eev_carl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 11:54:52 am
content: Thanks to all who replied. Anticlimactic, but this ended up being a bad chip. I swapped two other 741s and they produced the correct attached scope output.