Electronics Engineering (ELEX) Board Practice Exam

Which circuit is commonly used to provide transient protection?

1. A clipper

2. A filter

3. A regulator

4. A buffer

The correct answer is: A clipper

A clipper circuit is commonly used to provide transient protection by limiting the voltage levels in a circuit to protect sensitive components from voltage spikes. This type of circuit can effectively "clip" or remove portions of a waveform that exceed a certain threshold, thus preventing excessive voltage from damaging the devices in the system. Transient voltages, often caused by sudden changes in current or external disturbances like lightning strikes, can create conditions that lead to circuit failures. The clipper is designed to safeguard against these by allowing only safe voltage levels to pass through, effectively protecting other components by diverting or reducing the impact of potential damaging transients. In contrast, while filters can reduce the amount of noise and unwanted signals in a circuit, they are not specifically designed for transient protection. Regulators aim to maintain a constant voltage output, but they may not be capable of responding rapidly enough to transient spikes. Buffers, generally used to isolate circuits or increase current capability, do not have a primary role in transient protection either. Therefore, the clipper's primary function aligns best with the need to manage and mitigate transient events in electronic circuits.