Question 6A229

Distortion in a Class A amplifier, which is designed for linearity, occurs when the output signal is not a faithful reproduction of the input. * **A) Insufficient plate and screen potentials, incorrect grid bias, or a defective tube:** Low supply voltages limit the available output swing, causing clipping. Incorrect grid bias shifts the operating point (Q-point), potentially pushing the tube into cutoff or grid current, leading to non-linear amplification. A faulty tube simply won't operate correctly or linearly. * **B) Leaky or shorted input coupling capacitor:** A leaky capacitor allows DC voltage to reach the grid, altering the intended bias and shifting the Q-point. A shorted capacitor would severely disrupt the bias, leading to significant non-linearity or amplifier failure. * **C) Excessive amplitude of grid signal, incorrect value of load impedance:** Too large an input signal can drive the tube beyond its linear operating region, causing clipping when the grid goes too positive (grid current) or too negative (cutoff). An improper load impedance can cause the amplifier's operating point to move into non-linear regions on the tube's characteristic curves, limiting swing and introducing distortion. Since all these factors directly affect the amplifier's operating conditions and linearity, they can all cause distortion.