Unit 9

Oscilloscopes
 Objectives
After completing this chapter, the student
should be able to:
Explain the function of an oscilloscope.
Identify the basic parts of an oscilloscope and
explain their functions.
Demonstrate the proper setup of an oscilloscope.
Describe how to use an oscilloscope to make a
measurement.
 Oscilloscopes
Most versatile piece of test equipment available
for working on electronic equipment and
circuits.
Provides a visual display of what is occurring
in the circuit.
 Oscilloscopes provide:
The frequency of a signal.
The duration of a signal.
The phase relationship between signal
waveforms.
The shape of a signals waveform.
The amplitude of a signal.
 The basic parts of an
oscilloscope are:
A cathode ray tube
(CRT).
A sweep generator.
Horizontal and
vertical deflection
amplifiers.
Power supplies.
 Cathode-ray tube
(CRT)
A phosphor screen.
Deflection plates.
An electron gun.
 Faceplate
Marked in centimeters along the vertical and
horizontal axis.
Can be calibrated with a known voltage before
testing an unknown signal.
Called a graticule, and is separate from the
oscilloscope.
Mounted in front of the CRT.
 Power switch
Usually on the front panel.
May be a toggle, push-button or rotary switch.
Mounted separately or with another switch.
Used to apply line voltage to operate the
oscilloscope.
 Intensity switch
Also called brightness.
Controls the electron beam within the CRT.
It is a rotary control.
Too much intensity for too long can burn a hole
or etch a line in the phosphor screen.
 Focus and astigmatism controls
Connected to the electron gun.
Used to adjust the electron beam size and
shape.
Rotary controls.
 Horizontal and vertical position controls
Rotary controls.
Allows the electron beam to be positioned
anywhere on the face of the CRT.
 Horizontal block
Consists of:
A vertical input jack.
An AC/DC switch.
A volts/cm rotary switch.
The oscilloscope probe is connected to the
input jack.
The probe is then connected to the circuit to be
tested.
 Horizontal block
Also called the time base.
Consists of:
A time/cm rotary switch.
A trigger-control switch.
A triggering level control.
 Level control
Sets the amplitude that the triggering signal
must exceed before the sweep generator starts.
Initial oscilloscope control settings:
Intensity: set to the center of range.
Focus: set to the center of range.
Astigmatism: set to the center of range.
Position: set to the center of range.
 Triggering: INT +
Level: AUTO
Tine/cm: 1 msec
Volts/cm: 0.02
Power: ON
 In Summary
An oscilloscope provides:
Frequency of the signal.
Duration of the signal.
Phase relationships between signal waveforms.
Shape of the signals waveform.
Amplitude of the signal
 The basic parts of an oscilloscope are:
Cathode-ray tube (CRT).
Sweep generator.
Horizontal deflection amplifier.
Vertical deflection amplifier.
Power supply.