class-b amplifier: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Engineering
Quick answer
What does “class-b amplifier” mean?
An electronic amplifier circuit design in which active components (transistors or tubes) conduct for exactly half of the input signal cycle (180°).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An electronic amplifier circuit design in which active components (transistors or tubes) conduct for exactly half of the input signal cycle (180°).
A type of power amplifier with high efficiency but significant crossover distortion when used alone; commonly used in push-pull configurations to reduce distortion. Often contrasted with Class-A (always conducting) and Class-AB (conducting more than 50% but less than 100% of the cycle).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; identical spelling and usage in both dialects.
Connotations
Same technical connotation in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to electronics/audio engineering contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “class-b amplifier” in a Sentence
The [noun] uses a class-B amplifier.A class-B amplifier [verb] more efficiently.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “class-b amplifier” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The output transistors are biased to class-B.
American English
- The circuit was class-Bed for higher efficiency.
adverb
British English
- The transistors operate class-B.
American English
- The transistors operate class-B.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used except in technical specifications for audio equipment.
Academic
Common in electrical engineering textbooks, papers on amplifier design.
Everyday
Almost never used in general conversation.
Technical
Standard term in electronics, audio engineering, and circuit design.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “class-b amplifier”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “class-b amplifier”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “class-b amplifier”
- Omitting the hyphen: 'class B amplifier'.
- Using lowercase 'b': 'class-b amplifier'.
- Confusing it with Class AB or Class D amplifiers.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It produces significant crossover distortion when the input signal is near zero, as each active device turns off while the other has not yet turned on.
They are often used in the output stages of audio power amplifiers, radio frequency transmitters, and motor controllers, usually in a push-pull pair to cancel out distortion.
A class-AB amplifier is biased to conduct for slightly more than 180° of the cycle, reducing crossover distortion compared to pure class-B, but at a slight cost to efficiency.
Yes, when used as a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., class-B amplifier). It may sometimes be written without the hyphen when used predicatively (e.g., 'the amplifier operates in class B'), but hyphenation is standard in technical writing.
An electronic amplifier circuit design in which active components (transistors or tubes) conduct for exactly half of the input signal cycle (180°).
Class-b amplifier is usually technical / engineering in register.
Class-b amplifier: in British English it is pronounced /ˌklɑːs ˈbiː ˈæmplɪfaɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌklæs ˈbiː ˈæmpləfaɪər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'B' for 'Biased off' at the midpoint, or 'B' for 'Break' in the conduction cycle.
Conceptual Metaphor
A worker who only works exactly half the day, requiring a partner to work the other half for a complete job.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary advantage of a class-B amplifier over a class-A?