An oscilloscope is a tool that allows the user to do two things. The first is measure time-varying signals. The way it does this is it shows details of the wave shape. The faster the wave shape, the faster the signal over a period of time. This leads to the second thing it does which is measure different aspects of time-varying signals such as the frequency of the signal and the peak value of the signal. Whenever there is an instance when the signal varies as time goes on, you’ll want to use an oscilloscope to measure the frequency and the peak value of that signal.
How to Use an Oscilloscope
The first step is obviously to plug it in. Turn the device on by pressing the on button. Depending on the device, this might be on the front or it might be on the back. Allow it to power up. Some oscilloscopes are quick to power up while others take a few seconds. It all depends on how old the device is. As newer ones are released, they boot up quicker. Once it is turned on, you can begin using it.
Apply a signal specifically to the input terminals on the oscilloscope. If nothing is appearing on the screen, make sure that you have matched the settings on the oscilloscope to the signal. For example, if what you’re testing is something worth 10,000 volts, if you set the oscilloscope to only 20 volts, nothing will appear. Therefore, it is important to set your units at something that will be easily interpreted.
Interpreting the Oscilloscope Results
The way the screen on an oscilloscope works is that it has an illuminated dot that travels across the screen at its “equator” when there is no signal applied. However, once a signal has been applied, the dot begins to go up and down like sound waves. It reaches its peak height and then goes down to its peak low and it repeats. This is the frequency. However, when the signal frequency is incredibly high, instead of the dot moving, instead a drawn out wave pattern is displayed. While this appears to be not moving, it actually is. It’s just such a fast frequency that you can’t visibly see the dot moving so, instead, you see the drawn lines. Compare the X-axis to the Y-axis to determine the frequency of the signal.
