How to Set Up and Calibrate an Oscilloscope: A Comprehensive Guide

PLC 1
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PLC 2
An oscilloscope has been found to be one of the fundamental tools that never miss application on
the workbench of electronics. Despite the high need of this tool, its affordability remains a
question that is not answerable to most of the users. It is quite expensive to afford an
oscilloscope thereby raising the need of extra vigilance when setting up and using the device. It
is of importance to every the settings of a few of the control keys of the device upon acquisition
before using the device for taking measurements (Lenk 2011, p. 698).
The steps followed in setting up an oscilloscope are not rigid but rather a factor of the type of
oscilloscope to be set up. The step is also dependent on the model of the device hence the need to
read the instructions that normally accompanies the manual. The general steps for setting up the
device include;
 Examination of the controls of the scope and doing the settings to normal
 Turning on the oscilloscope
 Setting the DIV/VOLTS control to 1
 Setting the TIME control to 1ms
 Setting the Trigger Switch to Auto mode
 Connection of the probe to the input connector; and finally
 Touching the end of the probe to the calibration terminal of the scope
An oscilloscope works by taking the variations in the signal voltages as a function of time and
then displays the results on a screen. This information is integral in the analysis of circuits
thereby enabling repair and maintenance (Lenk 2011, p. 598). To calibrate an oscilloscope, a
voltage of known signal strength is used and then adjustments are made to the device until the
correct readings are achieved. To achieve the accurate reading;