---
title: "What are clipper and clamper circuits"
subject: "Basic Electronics Engineering"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_2/basic_electronics_engineering:clipper-clamper-define"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_2/basic_electronics_engineering/clipper-clamper-define
site: BCT Engineering
---

# What are clipper and clamper circuits

Basic Electronics Engineering · Chapter 2: Diodes

- Asked in: 2074 Bhadra, 2 marks
- Video: [Clipper Vs Clamper Circuits](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76YX3T0h3lU) — AVICOPEDIA
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_2/basic_electronics_engineering/clipper-clamper-define
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_2/basic_electronics_engineering/chapter-2

## Question

What is clipper and clamper circuit?

## Short answer

A clipper removes portions of a waveform above or below a reference level, altering its shape, using diodes and resistors. A clamper shifts the entire waveform by adding a DC level without changing its shape, using a capacitor, diode, and resistor.

## Answer

- **Clipper:** a circuit that removes (clips) the portion of an input waveform lying above or below a chosen reference level, without altering the rest of the waveform. It uses diodes and resistors (and a battery for the reference level). Example: a diode and resistor that cut the positive peaks of a sine wave.
- **Clamper:** a circuit that shifts the entire input waveform up or down by adding a dc level, without changing its shape (peak-to-peak value stays the same). It uses a capacitor, a diode and a resistor (and a battery for extra shift). Also called a dc restorer or level shifter. Example: a sine wave of ±5 V shifted to a range of 0 V to +10 V.

| | Clipper | Clamper |
|---|---|---|
| Effect | cuts part of the waveform | shifts the waveform |
| Shape | changed | unchanged |
| Capacitor | not needed | needed |

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What does a clipper do?
   A. Shifts the waveform dc level
   B. Removes the part of a waveform above or below a reference level
   C. Doubles the amplitude
   D. Converts ac to a smooth dc
   Answer: B. A clipper cuts part of the waveform and leaves the rest unchanged. (Key point: Clipper function)

2. What does a clamper do?
   A. Cuts the peaks off
   B. Shifts the whole waveform by a dc level without changing its shape
   C. Reduces the peak-to-peak value
   D. Rectifies the signal
   Answer: B. A clamper adds a dc level so the waveform shifts up or down. (Key point: Clamper function)

3. Which circuit needs a capacitor?
   A. Clipper only
   B. Both equally
   C. Neither
   D. Clamper
   Answer: D. The clamper capacitor stores the dc level; a clipper does not need one. (Key point: Capacitor use)

## Related in Basic Electronics Engineering

- [Short note: Clipper circuit](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fbasic_electronics_engineering%3Ashort-note-clipper) — Basic Electronics Engineering, chapter 2, asked 2×
- [Diode clamper circuit operation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fbasic_electronics_engineering%3Adiode-clamper-operation) — Basic Electronics Engineering, chapter 2
- [Short note: Diode clamper circuit](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fbasic_electronics_engineering%3Ashort-note-diode-clamper) — Basic Electronics Engineering, chapter 2
- [Clipper circuit with Vbias waveform](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fbasic_electronics_engineering%3Aclipper-sinusoid-vbias) — Basic Electronics Engineering, chapter 2
- [Clipper output for 5 sin wt, 2 V](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fbasic_electronics_engineering%3Aclipper-clamper-5sinwt-2v) — Basic Electronics Engineering, chapter 2
- [Clamper adding +5 V DC level](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fbasic_electronics_engineering%3Aclamper-adds-5v) — Basic Electronics Engineering, chapter 2

## Related in other subjects

- [Clipper and clamper circuits](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Ffundamental_of_electrical_and_electronics_engineering%3Aclipper-clamper-circuits) — Fundamental of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, chapter 4
- [Clamper circuit output waveform](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Ffundamental_of_electrical_and_electronics_engineering%3Aclamper-output-waveform) — Fundamental of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, chapter 4