G+_Jason Perry Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 I have been given a coworkers late father's oscilloscope. Thought I know the 1000ft view of what an oscilloscope does, I have never used one, and am rather nervous about making it into a giant paper weight after the first time I use it. I am going to check out the EEVblog but does anyone have a suggestion on YouTube videos on how to safely use one? And beginners tips? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Black Merc Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Treat the same as a multimeter, that just happens to have a waveform display. Same rules apply... Don't exceed max input, use appropriate ranges, etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted August 8, 2017 Author Share Posted August 8, 2017 Black Merc?, thanks that makes me feel better, I haven't blown my multimeter up yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Black Merc Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Think of it as an analog volt meter that reacts very quickly to draw the voltage pattern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted August 8, 2017 Author Share Posted August 8, 2017 I think my nervousness comes from listing to all kinds of podcasts and hearing all kinds of terms I haven't had exposure to, like triggers, and what are the differences between an analog scope versus a digital one. I am going to have to go back and listen to the Hamradio360 workbench episodes on oscilloscopes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Michael Whalen Jr Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Watch how you put your leads make sure positive goes to positive and negative goes to negative. Like what Black said treat it like a multi meter. I would still look up videos also. Also if you want to do current wave patterns I would suggest getting a good inductive amp clamp one for high amperage circuits and low amperage circuits. We use them in working on cars and they do work great. Plus you won't hurt the scope when doing current readings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Michael Whalen Jr Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 google.com - inductive amp clamp - Google Search like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Black Merc Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Michael Whalen Jr inductive (and capacitive) components may change the waveform. A simple shunt(a known value high wattage resistor) will do the job. Place shunt inline where you need current measured, read the voltage drop of shunt, a little ohm's law math = current. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Dan Hockey Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Google for the Make & model number, you might get lucky and find a user manual for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted August 8, 2017 Author Share Posted August 8, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Michael Whalen Jr Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Black Merc I never realized you could still use a shunt. That's a great idea. I sometimes do use a shunt to calculate the resistance of the circuit. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Rud Dog Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Don' know if this has changed but during my use of Oscope I was told never connect it directly to an AC voltage. It had to do with the way the scope is grounded. Maybe someone else can expanded on this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Black Merc Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Rud Dog depends on the model, most i have used had a max value of +-50volts with a selectable input of AC or DC couplings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_David Peach Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Jason Perry?, congratulations. A friend gave me one many years ago. I used it rarely. When making an international move a decade ago I passed it on to another friend who I knew could use it. I haven't needed it often since, but when I do I really wished I still had it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted August 9, 2017 Author Share Posted August 9, 2017 David Peach I am not going to lie mine will probably be the same. It will sit there for a good period of time, then it will answer a question I have and I will be glad I still have it kicking around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted August 9, 2017 Author Share Posted August 9, 2017 My new toy. In definite need of new leads, Can't wait to use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Rud Dog Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 How much was that oscope in the window? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Sean Miller Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 One of my proudest moments in school was learning how to use an O-scope so that I could finally understand the scopes I saw in the background of SciFi shows. It is really cool because it will show you voltage changes over time. Not only will you know it's 120V AC...you will see what type of AC (True Sine, Square Wave, Modified Square, etc.) You can see any noise on the line, hidden in the main signal. Some probes have a 1:10 switch, allowing you to read up to 10 times the voltage maximum input. Look at the specs of the scope in the manual. They are difficult to break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted August 17, 2017 Author Share Posted August 17, 2017 Rud Dog?, it works out to about $60 after I convert to USD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted August 17, 2017 Author Share Posted August 17, 2017 Sean Miller?, thanks for the vote of confidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Rud Dog Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Jason Perry That works out to crazy affordable! Where can I get one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_David Peach Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Rud Dog, have a co-worker's dad pass away and you can get one too. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Rud Dog Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 David Peach Yeah they are dropping like flys but none seem to have an O'scope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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