Bahria University, Islamabad Linear Circuit Analysis

LAB 02
Introduction of Oscilloscope

Objectives:
To familiarize students with the operation of Oscilloscope

Apparatus:
1. Oscilloscope
2. Function Generator (AC generator).

Introduction:
In this lab you will learn the basics of how to use the oscilloscope. Then you will investigate
time dependent circuits. These questions and lab activities are designed to help you to develop
an understanding of these circuits, allowing you to address conceptual questions without
plugging through the unnecessary mathematics. You will also see what these circuit
components look like in real life.

Oscilloscope 1

Procedure:
Reset the oscilloscope:
 Power on the oscilloscope, and disconnect any probes plugged into the ‘CH1’ input
connector.
 Set all the levels, knobs and buttons to default position as indicated, if they are not
already at default position.
 Set the CH1 Coupling mode switch to ground position.

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Bahria University, Islamabad Linear Circuit Analysis

 Turn down the intensity knob, if the signal line is too bright because to avoid burning
out the screen. The signal line or dot should be clear but not too bright.
 Since CH1 is now “grounded” to zero volts, the oscilloscope should read zero on the
vertical axis (using the coordinate axis centered on the screen).
 Adjust the CH1 vertical position knob so that the oscilloscope reads 0 volts.

Calibration of oscilloscope:
 Now connect the probe with the connector of CH1.
 Connect the positive feed point of probe with the calibration point.
 The point at which 2Vp-p of 1 KHz is generated internally by the oscilloscope is called
the Calibration point.
 See the square wave signal on the display screen of oscilloscope.
 Observe the signal that its amplitude is 2Vp-p and having the frequency of 1 KHz.

What the oscilloscope does:

 The oscilloscope graphs voltage vs. time, by sweeping an electron beam across the
phosphorus screen.
 Whenever the beam hits the screen, it glows green.
 For most measurements, the beam sweeps right rightward at a constant rate.
 When the beam gets to the right-hand side of the screen, it jumps back to the left-hand
side. In this way, the horizontal axis shows time period and the vertical axis shows the
potential difference. i.e. the voltage between the two wires coming out of that probe.

Measuring DC voltages, and using the Volts/Division setting:

 The point of this brief activity is to practice measuring a voltage with the oscilloscope,
and to get a feel for what the Volts/division control do.
 Set the CH1 Volts/Division knob to 2V position.
 Set the CH1 coupling mode lever to DC level.
 Now use the oscilloscope to measure the voltage across a 1.5Volts battery.
 Make sure that you understand what the Volts/Division setting is doing. Students often
make mistake in thinking in terms of Division/Volts instead of Volts/Division.
 To get a more precise reading of the battery’s voltage, should you turn the
Volts/Division knob Clockwise or Counterclockwise? Why? Try it, to get a feel for how
much precision can be gained.

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Bahria University, Islamabad Linear Circuit Analysis

Measuring AC voltages, and using the Time/Division setting:

 Now you will practice using a power supply, and will figure out what the Time/Division
control do.
 The AC means (Alternating Current) that are the voltage put out by the power supply
oscillate with a frequency that you set.
 Set the CH1 Time/Division knob to 0.5ms position.
 Set the CH1 Volts/Division knob to 5V position.
 Set the CH1 coupling mode lever to AC level.
 Turn on the AC signal generator. Set it to sinusoidal wave, having frequency of 1 KHz and
make sure that the sweep width knob is all the way to the left, so that it clicks.
 Now connect the positive feed point of probe of oscilloscope with the positive output
terminal and connect the ground point of oscilloscope with the ground terminal.
 Now you see the output of signal generator on the oscilloscope screen and the value of
Amplitude and Time Period of the AC signal.
 After that you will use the Mathematical rules for the calculation of the voltage and
frequency of AC signal.
 To get more precise measurement of the period of the oscillating voltage, should you
turn the Time/Division knob Clockwise or Counterclockwise? Why? Try it, to get feel for
how much precision can be gained.

Calculations:
Frequency Voltage(V) Time(ms) Frequency
from Function Calculated
Generation (Hz)
f=1/T
Volt/Div No of Volt P2P Time/Div No of Time
Div Div period T

2KHz
5KHz
10KHz
15KHz