Difference Between Shunt Clippers & Dual Clippers
Tags: clippers, shuntclippers, dualclippers
Published: 2022-12-14 21:24:46

Depending on the waveform of the incoming signal, various sensitive parts or circuits in electronics operate. Its functionality and the integrity of the circuit could be compromised if the voltage exceeded a certain threshold.

The majority of electronic circuits use a sinusoidal waveform to operate. The remaining section of the waveform is clipped to prevent the voltage from increasing or decreasing above a predetermined threshold. The clipper circuit uses this technique to stop the voltage from increasing past a specific point. In this article, I'll be discussing the difference between [shunt and dual clippers in proteus](https://www.theengineeringprojects.com/2020/12/shunt-clippers-and-dual-clippers-in-proteus-isis.html).

## What is a Clipper Circuit?
A clipper circuit is a piece of electrical equipment that prevents a circuit's output from rising above a predetermined voltage level without changing the remainder of the input waveform.

Clamper circuits are electronic circuits that shift the entire signal up or down to get the output signal peaks at the appropriate level, changing the input signal's negative or positive peak to a specific value.

##  Difference Between Shunt Clippers & Dual Clippers
A parallel connection is made between the output and a diode in shunt clippers. When the diode is blocking instead of the series clippers, the output signal seems to be the input signal. Furthermore, the shunt clippers can be classified as either positive or negative.

The positive shunt clipper clips the input waveform's positive half cycle. Point A has a higher voltage than Point B. Hence, diode is forward biased amid a positive half cycle. There is, therefore, no voltage change at the output because the diode conducts the input signal.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/fqwt4eomsg5181o1hf7y.jpg)
The diode is reverse biased during the negative half-cycle when the input signal voltage at points A and B is inverted. Due to this, the diode blocks the input signal, and the voltage across the diode is used as the clipper's output. In this manner, the positive half of the input cycle is clipped or removed by the positive shunt clippers, leaving the negative half to run.

The negative shunt clipper clipped the negative half of an input waveform. The diode is blocked during the signal's forward half-cycle by being reverse-biased during that time. Consequently, the output likewise shows a positive half.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/k8w2hnn0ij0by37ira2f.png)
Since the diode is [forward-biased](https://byjus.com/jee/forward-bias/#:~:text=PN%20Junction%20Diode-,What%20is%20Forward%20Bias%3F,negative%20side%20of%20the%20battery.) and conducts throughout the negative half cycle, the signal is carried by it. Because of this, the output is completely dead during the inverse half cycle. As a result, the input waveform's negative half is clipped or eliminated by the negative shunt clipper.

Conversely, a dual clipper, also known as combination clipper, can cut off a part of the waveform at both positive and negative halves of the wave. Two diodes are linked in parallel to one another, with a battery or voltage source connected in series with each diode to reverse bias.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/x10a1jvs2lw8iy121ycf.png)
The circuit operates on an easy principle. You can see the input signal across the diode and at the output if the diodes were reverse-biased or didn't conduct. Now, if one of the diodes begins to conduct, the output will show the voltage of the corresponding battery.

During a positive half cycle, the input voltage drives the D1 diode forward, while the D2 diode is driven backward. However, diodes D1 and D2 are biased in the opposite direction for the first and second battery voltages, VB1 and VB2.

During the positive half-cycle, the diode D1 is biased forward for the input voltage and reverse for the battery voltage VB1. While both the input and battery voltage VB2 are forward-biased, the diode D2 is backward-biased.

When the input voltage is lower than VB1, the diode D1 is biased in the opposite direction. During this time, diode D2 is biased in the opposite direction. Consequently, the output signal is the input signal. Diode D1 begins conducting, and VB1 battery voltage appears at the output once the input voltage is higher than VB1.

In the negative half cycle, the diode D1 is biased in the wrong direction because of both the input and battery voltage VB1. Because of the input voltage, the diode D2 is forward-biased; however, battery voltage VB2 causes it to be reverse-biased.

Initially, the input voltage is less than VB2. Therefore diode D2 is reverse-biased and doesn't conduct. D1 is already biased in the opposite direction. As a result, the output signal is the input signal. If the input voltage is high enough, the diode will conduct, and the output will show the battery voltage VB2.

## Clippers Using Operational Amplifier
The non-inverting input of the op-amp is fed a sine wave of voltage Vt, and the Vref can be adjusted by adjusting the resistor R2. The following describes how the positive clipper works:
- If the input voltage (Vi) is less than the reference voltage (Vref), then D1 conducts, and the circuit acts as a voltage follower. To maintain the condition Vi Vref, the Vo must remain constant.
- Since the feedback was not closed, the circuit operates as an open-loop configuration when the input voltage Vi is greater than the reference voltage Vref and no conduction may occur. Therefore, given Vi > Vref, the Vo remains constant as a reference voltage.

The non-inverting input of the op-amp is fed a sine wave of voltage Vt, and the Vref can be adjusted by adjusting the resistor R2.
- If the input voltage, Vi, is greater than the reference voltage, Vref, then D1 conducts, and the circuit acts as a voltage follower. Therefore, in the case where Vi > Vref, the Vo remains constant as the input voltage.
- Due to the open-loop nature of the feedback, the circuit doesn't conduct whenever the input value Vi is below the reference voltage Vref. Since Vi Vref, the Vo continues to be used as the reference voltage.

## Applications of Clippers
- They are widely employed for decoupling composite visual signals from synchronization signals.
- FM transmitters could use series clippers to reduce or stop excessive noise spikes that rise above a specified threshold.
- Clippers are employed to create new waveforms or to sculpt the ones that already exist.
- When used as a freewheeling diode coupled in parallel over an inductive load, a diode clipper is typically employed to shield transistors from transients.
- Typical clipper applications include half-wave rectifiers found in power supply kits. The input's half-wave is clipped either positively or negatively.
- Clippers have multiple applications, including limiting voltage and selecting amplitude.

## Conclusion
With a [clippers circuit](https://electronicscoach.com/clipper-circuits.html), a waveform can be shaped to fit inside the certain frequency and amplitude parameters. Designing with diodes is possible for the clampers and clippers covered in this article.