Course Overview

This course contains nine lessons designed for the training of electricians and electronic technicians as well as for the multi-craft training needs of process and manufacturing facilities. These lessons are designed for participants familiar with AC and DC theory, electrical safety, and electrical print reading. A basic understanding of electronic devices and circuits is recommended. The lessons in this course explain and demonstrate the use of both analog and digital oscilloscopes. Participants will learn the controls on each type of oscilloscope, how to use a probe with an oscilloscope, how to set up an oscilloscope, and how to determine various measurements taken with an oscilloscope.

Course Objective

• Define the purpose and uses of an oscilloscope.
• Explain the vertical and horizontal axes of a waveform represent.
• List what can be learned about a signal from a waveform.
• Recognize the positive and negative peaks on a waveform.
• Explain the functions of an analog oscilloscope’s display controls.
• Explain the functions of a digital oscilloscope’s display controls.
• Explain how divisions are used.
• Explain the function of the oscilloscope vertical controls.
• Explain the vertical system controls of an analog oscilloscope.
• Explain the vertical system controls of a digital oscilloscope.
• Explain the function of an oscilloscope’s horizontal system and controls.
• Explain the function of digital and an analog oscilloscope’s horizontal system controls.
• Describe the function of an oscilloscope’s trigger system.
• Describe the controls of an oscilloscope’s trigger system.
• Explain the reason for probe compensation.
• Describe other common probe types.
• Describe the applications of common probe types.
• Match a probe/scope combination to the application.
• Describe the safety rules related to using an oscilloscope.
• Adjust the display controls on an oscilloscope.
• Adjust the trigger controls to display a given waveform.
• Adjust the vertical and horizontal controls to display a given waveform.
• Identify the following waveforms: sine, square, rectangular, sawtooth, and triangle.
• Identify a pulse and step signal.
• Identify a complex waveforms.
• Explain what factors influence differences between source documentation of signals
• Measure voltage using a waveform.
• Measure the period and frequency of a waveform.
• Define pulse rise time and pulse width.
• Measure rise time.
• Measure pulse width.
• Measure phase shift.

Included Modules

1. Introduction to Oscilloscopes: This is the first lesson in the Oscilloscopes Course. This lesson explains the purpose of oscilloscopes, introduces waveforms, and presents analog and digital oscilloscope systems using a flowchart.
2. The Display: This is the second lesson in the Oscilloscopes Course. This lesson explains the functions of the display and display controls on an analog and digital oscilloscope. The lesson also explains how divisions are used.
3. Vertical System Controls: This is the third lesson in the Oscilloscopes Course. This lesson explains the vertical system controls on analog and digital oscilloscopes.
4. Horizontal System Controls: This is the fourth lesson in the Oscilloscopes Course. This lesson explains the horizontal system controls on analog and digital oscilloscopes.
5. The Trigger System: This is the fifth lesson in the Oscilloscopes Course. This lesson explains the functions and controls of the trigger system on analog and digital oscilloscopes.
6. Probes: This is the sixth lesson in the Oscilloscopes Course. This lesson explains the purpose and use of probes, and trains the participant to match the probe/scope combination to the application.
7. Setup: This is the seventh lesson in the Oscilloscopes Course. This lesson trains the participant to safely setup an oscilloscope for use, how to adjust the controls, and compensate the probe.
8. Waveforms: This is the eighth lesson in the Oscilloscopes Course. This lesson teaches participants to recognize the various waveform types and how to analyze waveforms.
9. Measurement: This is the final lesson in the Oscilloscopes Course. This lesson teaches how to determine various measurements taken with an oscilloscope. Topics include voltage, Period and Frequency, Rise time, Pulse Width, and Phase Shift.