The interactive graphic shows the adjustment of a probe. By clicking the probe trimmer the capacity changes. Most oscilloscopes output a test frequency of 1kHz. This frequency is applied to the probe and the measured signal is displayed on the scope.

Probe of an oscilloscope

A probe is used to define the connection between the oscilloscope and the signal to be measured. It is also possible to use a simple cable, but then the resistance and capacity of the measurement is undefined. At low frequencies in the kilohertz range, this does ...

Oscilloscope simulator - artifacts occur due to discrete sampling at high frequencies. The signal is sampled internally with 100kHz.

With the simulator one can observe an effect at high frequencies, which leads to an incorrect display of the measurement signal. The signal of 20kHz is sampled internally at approx. 100kHz. The ...

An oscilloscope measures time-dependent signals, such as sinusoidal oscillations. If a signal to be measured is connected to the oscilloscope, the device does not know anything about type and frequency of the signal. How is the oscilloscope supposed to display an unknown signal?

One possibility is to make a so-called ...

Why is the ground connection of an oscilloscope problematic? The reason is that the oscilloscope ground is connected via the device connector with the ground potential of the outlet. This can cause problems depending on how the circuit under investigation is powered.

Ground for battery operated circuit

Oscilloscope ground: circuit ...

Oscilloscope worksheet.

On this page there is a free worksheet for private use or school purposes. Printing, copying and distribution for classroom use and for teaching purposes is permitted. The worksheet may be copied to your servers for free download. In this case, add a link (backlink) to https://www ...

The following figure shows an interactive oscilloscope simulator for the internet browser (requires Javascript). The black controls (Time/div, Volt/div, etc.) can be adjusted with the mouse or with the finger and are clickable. Repeated clicking rotates the buttons or switches until they return to their original position.

Cathode ray tube for an analog oscilloscope.

Analog oscilloscope: layout of the cathode ray tube.

An analog oscilloscope is based on an electron beam tube. That principle is similar to old televisions, where these devices are called tubes. A heating element first heats a tungsten wire. This causes electrons to ...

Measuring voltage with a multimeter.

How do you actually measure voltage? There are different ways to do this, depending on the type of signal. You can use a multimeter or use an oscilloscope.

DC voltage

DC voltage is measured with a multimeter. You switch it to "DC", connect the black ...