n.

1. One that limits: a limiter of choices.
2. Electronics. A circuit that prevents the amplitude of a waveform from exceeding a specified value. Also called clipper.

A device whose purpose is to ensure that the amplitude of a sensed variable (referred to as a signal) is constrained or limited to lie within prescribed maximum and minimum values. It is more properly termed an amplitude limiter, although convention usually dispenses with the important modifier. Also, unless specified otherwise, the limiting is applied to voltage.

Strictly speaking, the limiter should behave as a perfectly linear device (such as an ideal amplifier or even a piece of wire) until the amplitude of the input signal reaches the upper or lower limit values. In other words, the output of an ideal limiter matches the input perfectly when the input is between the limit values. If the input is greater than the upper limit, the output equals the upper limit; if the input is less than the lower limit, the output equals the lower limit. If the upper and lower limits are equal in magnitude, the limiting is symmetrical. In the past, one or two stages of high-gain amplification would often precede a limiter in order to obtain clean limiting. See also Linearity.

The term limiter is often used to mean sign detector, so that when the input is greater than zero, the output equals some fixed positive value; when the input is less than zero, the output is the negative of this value. This usage is sometimes employed in discussing frequency-modulation (FM) radio receivers.

Discrete-component limiters have become rare. The cost/performance ratio of integrated circuits makes them the only rational choice for commercial applications. Most often, integrated circuits now contain limit operations that are both functionally and physically integrated with companion operations to form a higher-level function. The isolated need for a limit-only function is almost never encountered. Limiting within an integrated circuit is usually obtained by designing an amplifier to be heavily overdriven and therefore to quickly enter the saturation (limiting) range. See also Amplifier; Integrated circuits.

---

A special-purpose fuse (usually of high current-interrupting rating) designed to protect an electrical circuit or equipment from the effects of high available short-circuit current by limiting the amount of current permitted to flow through it.

---

Circuit or device that prevents some portion of its input from reaching the output. A clipper.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Dansk (Danish)
n. - begrænser

Nederlands (Dutch)
signaalbegrenzer

Français (French)
n. - borne, limitation

Deutsch (German)
n. - (Amplituden)begrenzer

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - ρυθμιστής

Italiano (Italian)
limitatore

Português (Portuguese)
n. - limitador (m) (Téc.)

Русский (Russian)
ограничитель, монах, который мог собирать подаяние на ограниченной территории

Español (Spanish)
n. - limitador

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - begränsare

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
限制者

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 限制者

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 제한하는 사람, 진폭 제한기

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 制限する人, リミッター, 振幅制限器

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) محدد‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮מגביל‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.

music limiter