---
title: "Short note: Clipper circuit"
subject: "Basic Electronics Engineering"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_2/basic_electronics_engineering:short-note-clipper"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_2/basic_electronics_engineering/short-note-clipper
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Short note: Clipper circuit

Basic Electronics Engineering · Chapter 2: Diodes

- Asked in: 2070 Bhadra, 5 marks; 2069 Poush, 4 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [Clipper Circuit Explained (with Solved Examples)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S76CnEJMl5E) — ALL ABOUT ELECTRONICS
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_2/basic_electronics_engineering/short-note-clipper
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_2/basic_electronics_engineering/chapter-2

## Question

Write a short note on clipper circuit.

## Short answer

A clipper (limiter) removes parts of a signal above or below a chosen reference level without altering the rest. It uses a diode in series or shunt, often with a DC bias battery to set the clipping threshold. Common types include positive, negative, biased, and combination clippers; applications are waveform shaping and overvoltage protection.

## Answer

A **clipper** (or limiter) is a circuit that removes (clips) the part of an input signal that is above or below a chosen reference level, without changing the remaining part of the waveform. It is built with diodes, resistors and, for the reference level, dc batteries.

#### Classification
1. **Series clipper:** the diode is in series with the load.
2. **Shunt (parallel) clipper:** the diode is in parallel with the load.
3. By the part clipped: positive, negative, biased, and combination (two-level) clippers.

#### Positive shunt clipper (unbiased)
```text
 Vin o---[ R ]---+---o Vout
                 |
                 D (anode to the output)
                 |
 GND o-----------+---o
```
- Positive half cycle: the diode conducts and Vout is held at about 0.7 V (ideal 0 V). The positive peak is clipped.
- Negative half cycle: the diode is OFF and Vout = Vin.

#### Negative clipper
The diode is reversed. The negative half cycle is clipped, the positive half passes.

#### Biased clipper
A dc battery VR is placed in series with the diode. The clipping level changes to VR (+0.7 V for a real diode). For example, with a 3 V battery the positive peaks are clipped at 3 V.

#### Combination clipper
Two diodes with batteries V1 and V2 in opposite directions clip both peaks: output is limited between −V2 and +V1.

```text
 Vin  /\       Vout  _____
     /  \            /     \   (clipped at +V1)
 ---/----\---   ----/-------\--
```

**Applications:** protecting circuits from voltage spikes, waveform shaping, square-wave generation from sine waves, noise removal and limiting in FM receivers.

## Check yourself

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

1. A clipper
   A. Removes the part of a signal above or below a reference level without distorting the rest
   B. Adds a dc level
   C. Amplifies the signal
   D. Filters the frequency
   Answer: A. It limits the waveform at a chosen level and leaves the remainder unchanged. (Key point: Clipper function)

2. In the unbiased positive shunt clipper, in the positive half cycle
   A. The diode is off and Vout = Vin
   B. The diode conducts and Vout is held at about 0.7 V
   C. The diode is reversed
   D. Vout doubles
   Answer: B. The diode conducts and clips the positive peak near 0.7 V (ideal 0 V). (Key point: Positive shunt clipper)

3. Adding a dc battery VR in series with the diode
   A. Removes clipping
   B. Changes the clipping level to VR (+0.7 V)
   C. Doubles the output
   D. Reverses the clipping
   Answer: B. A 3 V battery clips positive peaks at 3 V (plus the diode drop). (Key point: Biased clipper)

4. A combination clipper limits the output
   A. Between −V2 and +V1
   B. Only above V1
   C. To zero
   D. To 2V1
   Answer: A. Two diodes with batteries in opposite directions clip both peaks. (Key point: Combination clipper)

## Related in Basic Electronics Engineering

- [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
- [What are clipper and clamper circuits](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fbasic_electronics_engineering%3Aclipper-clamper-define) — 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