Oscilloscope and Accurate Measurement Settings!

This might help.....

http://www.instructables.com/id/Oscilloscope-How-To/step8/Advanced-Oscilloscope-ACDCGround-Coupling/

Thank you, that looks interesting. Will give it a try!

1. Welcome to CR4.

2. Electrical Engineering is a good spot for the post.

3. Your post sounds suspiciously like a homework question. Nobody here will just "hand you the answer on a silver platter".

4. Google is your friend. All I did was search for Oscilloscope 101.

Why would you measure a D.C. voltage with an oscilloscope, when a multimeter would be easier and faster? The D.C. with an A.C. component - yes.

Basically put: The vertical scale is in volts/division, and the horizontal is your frequency/division (not exactly - but close). Change each until you have a good trace on the screen, then figure out what they mean by looking at how each is set in units/division.

Small side note: "all intensive purposes" should be "all intents and purposes".

"2. Electrical Engineering is a good spot for the post."

I'd've said instrumentation was better.

I might add: connect the probe to a calibration signal output on the O'scope to make sure the volts/div is accurate.

Not only that but adjust the probe to calibrate it if it is a X10 probe.

If all else fails, read the instructions.

Del

Wouldn't it be better if we explained things as if we were talking to a new student?

I'd have to guess that a "new engineer" would know how to operate a scope.

This statement sounds much like a homework assignment question, "Describe in detail the proper measurement procedure to obtain accurate measurements of the two signals."

Hopefully SE's, or Killowat0t's offerings will help.

It's not that we won't help students who genuinely need it, it's just that, Describe in detail" smacks of homework.

Tell us what you would do to complete the assignment, and someone may give you advice.

Thankyou :)

To clear up the homework thing: I didn't do very well in one of my modules (first year transfer from previous Chemistry course, no background in engineering really hence I may be asking stupid questions) and this is an optional assignment I took in order to boost marks (if I do well), sadly as I am home for the summer I don't have access to a lab or anything so can't physically play around with an oscilloscope (unless I buy one + all the other bits and bobs) so I have to do it all theoretically. I'm guessing the 'describe in detail' is to make sure that we prove we actually understand what we are writing about rather than just copying somebody elses answer as I'm sure this question could be answered in a pretty succinct form.

I am not sure why you would measure a D.C. voltage with an oscilloscope when as you say a multimeter would be easier but I don't think thats the point of the question. I think the point is more in getting us to research and find out the settings that would get us an accurate reading even if it seems like a bit of an over the top way to measure it.

I do know how to operate an oscilloscope, had to use them many times in labs, just not exactly clear on how I would go about finding out the best settings etc without actually having one.

I understand that you don't want to just give out answers and I don't want you to! I'd much rather learn it and make sure I understand it otherwise I'll just forget it in a few months. But I greatly appreciate pointers in the right direction. Like I said I have no background in engineering so a lot of the standard lingo and basics is still foreign to me.

Although I'm starting to wonder if I am overcomplicating this a bit..

Will take a look around and see if I can come up with some answers. I have just found this simulator which might solve the problem of not actually having an oscilloscope to hand (http://www.virtual-oscilloscope.com/simulation.html#)

As for 'all intents and purposes'.. I never knew that, have always thought it was intensive. But now I think about it, 'all intensive purposes' doesn't make much sence :P!

Nice simulator site you found!

As far as O-scopes go: There was an add for PicoScopes on that page, which I ordered for work (~$500). Too pricey for me at home, and I just don't need the bandwidth. But I did get a Gabotronics Xprotolab plain for home use (~$24 - with OTG cable). IF you are going to stick with this, and you have something like the Samsung Galaxy S3, it's a pretty cheap way to go.

Killowatt0: now that is cool as hell! thanks for the link and they can consider one more sold!!

(always wanted a scope of my own)