Class C amplifiers are a type of electronic amplifier that are characterized by having their output transistors turned on for less than half of the input signal cycle. This makes them more efficient than class A and class B amplifiers, which are turned on for the entire input signal cycle.
The efficiency of an amplifier is calculated as the ratio of the output power to the input power. The efficiency of a class C amplifier can be up to 90%, while the efficiency of a class A amplifier is typically only around 25% and the efficiency of a class B amplifier is typically around 78%.
The efficiency of a class C amplifier is determined by the conduction angle of the output transistors. The conduction angle is the fraction of the input signal cycle that the output transistors are turned on. A class C amplifier with a conduction angle of 180 degrees is 100% efficient, but this is not practical because it would produce a lot of distortion. A class C amplifier with a conduction angle of 150 degrees is about 90% efficient and produces a tolerable amount of distortion.
The efficiency of a class C amplifier can be improved by using a tuned circuit on the output. The tuned circuit helps to filter out the harmonics that are produced by the amplifier, which reduces the distortion.
Class C amplifiers are often used in RF amplifiers, power supplies, and industrial control systems. They are also used in some audio amplifiers, but they are not as common as class A or class B amplifiers because they produce more distortion.
Here are some additional points that you can include in your article:
- Class C amplifiers are more efficient than class A and class B amplifiers because they only dissipate power when they are conducting.
- The efficiency of a class C amplifier can be up to 90%, while the efficiency of a class A amplifier is typically only around 25% and the efficiency of a class B amplifier is typically around 78%.
- Class C amplifiers are often used in RF amplifiers, power supplies, and industrial control systems.
- Class C amplifiers can produce high levels of distortion, but this can be reduced by using filters on the output.
