the diode. Series clippers, where the diode is in series with the load resistance, and Shunt clippers, where the diode is shunted across the load resistance. The diode capacitance affects the operation of the clipper at high frequency and influences the choice between the above two types. High frequency signals are attenuated in the shunt clipper as the diode capacitance provides an alternative path to output current. In the series clipper, clipping effectiveness is reduced for the same reason as the high frequency current passes through without being sufficiently blocked. Clippers may be classified based on the orientation of the diode. The orientation decides which half cycle is affected by the clipping action. The clipping action can be made to happen at an arbitrary level by using a biasing element (potential source) in series with the diode. In the following diagrams the green plot is the input voltage, the orange plot is the output voltage, and the blue plot is the clipping level voltage. Positively biased diode clipper Negatively biased diode clipper Combinational two-level diode clipper The signal can be clipped to between two levels by using both types of diode clippers in combination. Clamping circuit A clamper circuit is not a clipper, but the simple diode version has a similar topology to a clipper with the exception that the resistor is replaced with a capacitor. The clamper circuit fixes either the positive or negative peaks at a fixed voltage (determined by the biasing voltage) rather than clipping them off. See also Amplitude gate Clipping (signal processing) Orifice plate which can function as a mechanical clipper for acoustic signals. Limiter Rectifier References Further reading Robert L. Boylestad, Electronic devices and circuit Theory. 8th Edition. Eastern Economy Edition, 2002, Page 83, External links An overview of Clipping Circuits, Circuits Today Electronic circuits