Oscilloscope - Revision history

ErnieHorning: Updated terminology, modernized oscilloscope recommendations, expanded examples to include modern pixel controllers and digital communications, and preserved the original instructional content and zero-cross example.

2026-07-23T22:25:37Z

Updated terminology, modernized oscilloscope recommendations, expanded examples to include modern pixel controllers and digital communications, and preserved the original instructional content and zero-cross example.

Dirknerkle at 16:00, 12 December 2018

2018-12-12T16:00:04Z

Dirknerkle at 15:59, 12 December 2018

2018-12-12T15:59:15Z

Dirknerkle at 15:58, 12 December 2018

2018-12-12T15:58:44Z

Admin at 18:54, 3 April 2015

2015-04-03T18:54:09Z

Admin at 18:52, 3 April 2015

2015-04-03T18:52:28Z

Admin at 23:45, 24 February 2015

2015-02-24T23:45:04Z

Admin at 23:43, 24 February 2015

2015-02-24T23:43:55Z

Admin at 23:39, 24 February 2015

2015-02-24T23:39:25Z

Admin at 23:38, 24 February 2015

2015-02-24T23:38:47Z

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 [[FILE: DS4022-Rigol.jpg | 500px  |center]]
-An oscilloscope is tremendously valuable for finding minute problems that can't be found any other way. It measures electronic signals and displays them on a visual screen as a "wave" form. Various wave patterns mean different things, and by reviewing the wave pattern you can discern specific issues when things aren't working.
+An oscilloscope is one of the most powerful diagnostic tools available for electronics. It allows you to view electrical signals as they change over time, making it possible to diagnose problems that cannot be detected with a voltmeter alone. By observing signal shape, voltage, timing, and noise, an oscilloscope can quickly reveal many electrical faults. It measures electronic signals and displays them graphically as waveforms. Various wave patterns mean different things, and by reviewing the wave pattern you can discern specific issues when things aren't working.
 You can determining the frequency and amplitude ("height") of a signal, measured in volts or millivolts. These are critical elements to the successful operation of many electronic circuits and certainly those inside light controllers. If a signal isn't there, is too strong or isn't strong enough, or isn't operating at the right frequency it can easily cause a circuit to fail. An oscilloscope can help you uncover electrical noise in your circuit. When there's a lot of noise present, the noise sometimes covers the desired signal so it can't be understood by the electronics.
-Oscilloscopes are measured by their speed, and the faster the oscilloscope, the more exact it can analyze signals. But a 10mhz scope would obviously have difficulty measuring a crystal that's running at 18.432mhz because it's not fast enough. 50mhz and even 100mhz oscilloscopes aren't horribly expensive but still, they're a luxury diagnostic tool to own even if they're in the $300-$500 price range. Much faster scopes are certainly available but the price skyrockets rather quickly. You can sometimes find good buys on used oscilloscopes, too.
+Oscilloscopes are measured by their speed, and the faster the oscilloscope, the more exact it can analyze signals. But a 10mhz scope would obviously have difficulty measuring a crystal that's running at 18.432mhz. A scope should generally have significantly greater bandwidth than the highest frequency you intend to analyze accurately. Oscilloscopes are specified by their analog bandwidth and sampling rate. For most DIY Christmas electronics, a 50 MHz to 100 MHz digital oscilloscope is more than adequate. Modern entry-level digital oscilloscopes from manufacturers such as Rigol, Siglent, and OWON are available at prices that make them practical for serious hobbyists, while used laboratory instruments remain an excellent value. Much faster scopes are certainly available but the price skyrockets rather quickly. You can sometimes find good buys on used oscilloscopes, too.
 An example of how an oscilloscope can help in this hobby is by detecting the "zero cross signal" which is so important to being able to dim lights effectively using A/C current. The ZC is happens 120 times per second with normal 60hz electricity, and if the controller can't recognize it, dimming A/C lights gets very inconsistent. Here's what the ZC signal looks like on a 'scope:
 [[file:Zc wave.JPG |500 px|center]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[FILE: DS4022-Rigol.jpg | 500px ]]
+[[FILE: DS4022-Rigol.jpg | 500px  |center]]
 An oscilloscope is tremendously valuable for finding minute problems that can't be found any other way. It measures electronic signals and displays them on a visual screen as a "wave" form. Various wave patterns mean different things, and by reviewing the wave pattern you can discern specific issues when things aren't working.
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 Oscilloscopes are measured by their speed, and the faster the oscilloscope, the more exact it can analyze signals. But a 10mhz scope would obviously have difficulty measuring a crystal that's running at 18.432mhz because it's not fast enough. 50mhz and even 100mhz oscilloscopes aren't horribly expensive but still, they're a luxury diagnostic tool to own even if they're in the $300-$500 price range. Much faster scopes are certainly available but the price skyrockets rather quickly. You can sometimes find good buys on used oscilloscopes, too.
-An example of how an oscilloscope can help in this hobby is by detecting the "zero cross signal" which is so important to being able to dim lights effectively using A/C current. The ZC is happens 120 times per second with normal 60hz electricity, and if the controller can't recognize it, dimming A/C lights gets very inconsistent. Here's what the ZC signal looks like:
+An example of how an oscilloscope can help in this hobby is by detecting the "zero cross signal" which is so important to being able to dim lights effectively using A/C current. The ZC is happens 120 times per second with normal 60hz electricity, and if the controller can't recognize it, dimming A/C lights gets very inconsistent. Here's what the ZC signal looks like on a 'scope:
-[[file:Zc wave.JPG |500 px]]
+[[file:Zc wave.JPG |500 px|center]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:59, 12 December 2018
Line 1:		Line 1:

−	[[FILE: DS4022-Rigol.jpg \| ~~400px~~ ]]	+	[[FILE: DS4022-Rigol.jpg \| 500px ]]

	An oscilloscope is tremendously valuable for finding minute problems that can't be found any other way. It measures electronic signals and displays them on a visual screen as a "wave" form. Various wave patterns mean different things, and by reviewing the wave pattern you can discern specific issues when things aren't working.		An oscilloscope is tremendously valuable for finding minute problems that can't be found any other way. It measures electronic signals and displays them on a visual screen as a "wave" form. Various wave patterns mean different things, and by reviewing the wave pattern you can discern specific issues when things aren't working.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:58, 12 December 2018
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	An example of how an oscilloscope can help in this hobby is by detecting the "zero cross signal" which is so important to being able to dim lights effectively using A/C current. The ZC is happens 120 times per second with normal 60hz electricity, and if the controller can't recognize it, dimming A/C lights gets very inconsistent. Here's what the ZC signal looks like:		An example of how an oscilloscope can help in this hobby is by detecting the "zero cross signal" which is so important to being able to dim lights effectively using A/C current. The ZC is happens 120 times per second with normal 60hz electricity, and if the controller can't recognize it, dimming A/C lights gets very inconsistent. Here's what the ZC signal looks like:

−	[[file:Zc wave.JPG \|~~300~~ px]]	+	[[file:Zc wave.JPG \|500 px]]

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 Oscilloscopes are measured by their speed, and the faster the oscilloscope, the more exact it can analyze signals. But a 10mhz scope would obviously have difficulty measuring a crystal that's running at 18.432mhz because it's not fast enough. 50mhz and even 100mhz oscilloscopes aren't horribly expensive but still, they're a luxury diagnostic tool to own even if they're in the $300-$500 price range. Much faster scopes are certainly available but the price skyrockets rather quickly. You can sometimes find good buys on used oscilloscopes, too.
-An example of how an oscilloscope can help in this hobby is by detecting the "zero cross signal" which is so important to being able to dim lights effectively using A/C current. Here's what it looks like:
+An example of how an oscilloscope can help in this hobby is by detecting the "zero cross signal" which is so important to being able to dim lights effectively using A/C current. The ZC is happens 120 times per second with normal 60hz electricity, and if the controller can't recognize it, dimming A/C lights gets very inconsistent. Here's what the ZC signal looks like:
 [[file:Zc wave.JPG |300 px]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:52, 3 April 2015
Line 7:		Line 7:

	Oscilloscopes are measured by their speed, and the faster the oscilloscope, the more exact it can analyze signals. But a 10mhz scope would obviously have difficulty measuring a crystal that's running at 18.432mhz because it's not fast enough. 50mhz and even 100mhz oscilloscopes aren't horribly expensive but still, they're a luxury diagnostic tool to own even if they're in the $300-$500 price range. Much faster scopes are certainly available but the price skyrockets rather quickly. You can sometimes find good buys on used oscilloscopes, too.		Oscilloscopes are measured by their speed, and the faster the oscilloscope, the more exact it can analyze signals. But a 10mhz scope would obviously have difficulty measuring a crystal that's running at 18.432mhz because it's not fast enough. 50mhz and even 100mhz oscilloscopes aren't horribly expensive but still, they're a luxury diagnostic tool to own even if they're in the $300-$500 price range. Much faster scopes are certainly available but the price skyrockets rather quickly. You can sometimes find good buys on used oscilloscopes, too.
		+
		+	An example of how an oscilloscope can help in this hobby is by detecting the "zero cross signal" which is so important to being able to dim lights effectively using A/C current. Here's what it looks like:
		+
		+	[[file:Zc wave.JPG \|300 px]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:45, 24 February 2015
Line 6:		Line 6:
	You can determining the frequency and amplitude ("height") of a signal, measured in volts or millivolts. These are critical elements to the successful operation of many electronic circuits and certainly those inside light controllers. If a signal isn't there, is too strong or isn't strong enough, or isn't operating at the right frequency it can easily cause a circuit to fail. An oscilloscope can help you uncover electrical noise in your circuit. When there's a lot of noise present, the noise sometimes covers the desired signal so it can't be understood by the electronics.		You can determining the frequency and amplitude ("height") of a signal, measured in volts or millivolts. These are critical elements to the successful operation of many electronic circuits and certainly those inside light controllers. If a signal isn't there, is too strong or isn't strong enough, or isn't operating at the right frequency it can easily cause a circuit to fail. An oscilloscope can help you uncover electrical noise in your circuit. When there's a lot of noise present, the noise sometimes covers the desired signal so it can't be understood by the electronics.

−	Oscilloscopes are measured by their speed, and the faster the oscilloscope, the more exact it can analyze signals. But a 10mhz scope would obviously have difficulty measuring a crystal that's running at 18.432mhz because it's not fast enough. 50mhz and even 100mhz oscilloscopes aren't horribly expensive but still, they're a luxury diagnostic tool to own even if they're in the $300-$500 price range. Much faster scopes are certainly available but the price skyrockets rather quickly.	+	Oscilloscopes are measured by their speed, and the faster the oscilloscope, the more exact it can analyze signals. But a 10mhz scope would obviously have difficulty measuring a crystal that's running at 18.432mhz because it's not fast enough. 50mhz and even 100mhz oscilloscopes aren't horribly expensive but still, they're a luxury diagnostic tool to own even if they're in the $300-$500 price range. Much faster scopes are certainly available but the price skyrockets rather quickly. You can sometimes find good buys on used oscilloscopes, too.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:43, 24 February 2015
Line 6:		Line 6:
	You can determining the frequency and amplitude ("height") of a signal, measured in volts or millivolts. These are critical elements to the successful operation of many electronic circuits and certainly those inside light controllers. If a signal isn't there, is too strong or isn't strong enough, or isn't operating at the right frequency it can easily cause a circuit to fail. An oscilloscope can help you uncover electrical noise in your circuit. When there's a lot of noise present, the noise sometimes covers the desired signal so it can't be understood by the electronics.		You can determining the frequency and amplitude ("height") of a signal, measured in volts or millivolts. These are critical elements to the successful operation of many electronic circuits and certainly those inside light controllers. If a signal isn't there, is too strong or isn't strong enough, or isn't operating at the right frequency it can easily cause a circuit to fail. An oscilloscope can help you uncover electrical noise in your circuit. When there's a lot of noise present, the noise sometimes covers the desired signal so it can't be understood by the electronics.

−	Oscilloscopes are measured by their speed, and the faster the oscilloscope, the more exact it can analyze signals. But a 10mhz scope would obviously have difficulty measuring a crystal that's running at 18.432mhz because it's not fast enough. 50mhz and even 100mhz oscilloscopes aren't horribly expensive but still, they're a luxury diagnostic tool to own even if they're in the $300-$500 price range.	+	Oscilloscopes are measured by their speed, and the faster the oscilloscope, the more exact it can analyze signals. But a 10mhz scope would obviously have difficulty measuring a crystal that's running at 18.432mhz because it's not fast enough. 50mhz and even 100mhz oscilloscopes aren't horribly expensive but still, they're a luxury diagnostic tool to own even if they're in the $300-$500 price range. Much faster scopes are certainly available but the price skyrockets rather quickly.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:39, 24 February 2015
Line 1:		Line 1:

−	[[FILE: ~~Ds4022~~.jpg \| 400px]]	+	[[FILE: DS4022-Rigol.jpg \| 400px ]]

	An oscilloscope is tremendously valuable for finding minute problems that can't be found any other way. It measures electronic signals and displays them on a visual screen as a "wave" form. Various wave patterns mean different things, and by reviewing the wave pattern you can discern specific issues when things aren't working.		An oscilloscope is tremendously valuable for finding minute problems that can't be found any other way. It measures electronic signals and displays them on a visual screen as a "wave" form. Various wave patterns mean different things, and by reviewing the wave pattern you can discern specific issues when things aren't working.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:38, 24 February 2015
Line 1:		Line 1:

−	[[FILE: ~~DS4022~~.jpg \| 400px]]	+	[[FILE: Ds4022.jpg \| 400px]]

	An oscilloscope is tremendously valuable for finding minute problems that can't be found any other way. It measures electronic signals and displays them on a visual screen as a "wave" form. Various wave patterns mean different things, and by reviewing the wave pattern you can discern specific issues when things aren't working.		An oscilloscope is tremendously valuable for finding minute problems that can't be found any other way. It measures electronic signals and displays them on a visual screen as a "wave" form. Various wave patterns mean different things, and by reviewing the wave pattern you can discern specific issues when things aren't working.