Clamper examples

ZENER DIODES
The simplest of all voltage regulators is the Zener diode voltage regulator. A Zener diode is a special diode that is optimized for operation in the breakdown region.

ZENER DIODE CHARACTERISTICS

In the forward region, the Zener diode acts like a regular silicon diode, with a 0.7 volt drop when it conducts.

ZENER DIODE CHARACTERISTICS

In the reverse bias region, a reverse leakage current flows until the breakdown voltage is reached. At this point, the reverse current, called Zener current Iz, increases sharply.

ZENER DIODE CHARACTERISTICS

Voltage after breakdown is also called Zener voltage Vz. Vz remains nearly a constant, even though current Iz varies considerably.

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Basic Zener Regulator

Fixed Vi and RL Step 1: Determine the state of the Zener diode by removing it from the network and calculating the voltage across the resulting open circuit If V>Vz, the Zener diode is "on" else the Zener diode is "off"

RLVi V VL R RL

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 Step 2: Substitute the appropriate equivalent circuit and solve for the desired unknowns If the Zener is on, then VL=Vz Iz=IR-IL The power dissipated by the Zener diode is Pz= Vz Iz which must be less than the PZM specified for the device. Note that when the system is turned on the Zener diode will turn "on" as soon as the voltage across the Zener diode is Vz volts. It will then "lock in" at this level and never reach the higher level of V volts, Zener diode is used as a simple regulator designed to maintain a fixed voltage across the load RL.
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Example
(a) For the Zener diode network shown, determine VL, VR, Iz, and Pz.

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Solution
(a)
V RLVi 8.73 R RL V

Since V<Vz then the diode is off and the circuit becomes
VL V 8.73 IZ 0 A W
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V V

VR Vi VL 7.27 PZ VZ I Z 0

Repeat part (a) with RL = 3 k.

(b)

RLVi V 12 R RL

Now the diode is on and the circuit becomes

VL VZ 10 VR Vi VL 6

V V mA W
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I Z I R I L 2.67 PZ VZ I Z 26.7

Fixed Vi, variable RL

RL m in
I L m ax

RVZ Vi VZ

VL VZ RL RL m in

VR Vi VZ

Once the diode is on we have

IR IZ

VR R IR IL

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 Since Iz is limited to lZM as provided on the data sheet, it does affect the range of RL and therefore IL.

I L min I R I ZM VZ RL max I L min

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 (a) For the network shown, determine the range of RL and IL that will result in Vz being maintained at 10 V (b) Determine the maximum wattage rating of the diode

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Solution
RL m in RVZ 250 Vi VZ

VR Vi VZ 40V VR IR 40mA R

I L min I R I ZM 8mA VZ RL max 1.25k I L min

Pm ax VZ I ZM 320 mW

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Fixed RL , variable Vi
For fixed value of RL, ( RL R )VZ Vi must be sufficiently Vi m in RL large to turn the Zener diode on Vi is also limited to a I R max I ZM I L maximum value limited by IZM V I R V
i max R max

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Example
Determine the range of values of Vi that will maintain the

Zener diode in the "on" state

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Solution
Vi m in ( RL R )VZ 23 .67V RL

I R max I ZM I L 76.67mA Vi max I R maxR VZ 36.87V

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Voltage-Multiplier Circuits
Voltage multiplier circuits use a combination of diodes and capacitors to step up the output voltage of rectifier circuits.
Voltage Doubler Voltage Tripler Voltage Quadrupler

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Voltage Doubler

This half-wave voltage doublers output can be calculated by: Vout = VC2 = 2Vm where Vm = peak secondary voltage of the transformer

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Voltage Doubler
Positive Half-Cycle o D1 conducts o D2 is switched off o Capacitor C1 charges to Vm Negative Half-Cycle o D1 is switched off o D2 conducts o Capacitor C2 charges to Vm

Vout = VC2 = 2Vm

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Voltage Multipliers - Triplers

The voltage tripler arrangement adds another diode/capacitor set. half-cycle: C1 charges to Vp through D1, - half-cycle: C2 charges to 2Vp through C2, Next + half-cycle: C3 charges to 2Vp through C2. Output is across C1 & C3. +

Voltage Multipliers - Quadruplers

The voltage tripler arrangement adds another diode/capacitor set. half-cycle: C1 charges to Vp through D1, - half-cycle: C2 charges to 2Vp through C2, Next + half-cycle: C3 charges to 2Vp through C3. Next - half-cycle: C4 charges to 2Vp through C4 Quadruple Output is across C2 & C4. +

Voltage Tripler and Quadrupler

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Practical Applications
Rectifier Circuits Conversions of AC to DC for DC operated circuits Battery Charging Circuits Simple Diode Circuits clippers and clamper circuits in order to generate different output voltage waveforms

Zener Circuits Overvoltage Protection Setting Reference Voltages

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Voltage Doubler

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+ve half cycle

-ve half cycle

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