Experiment 2 Lab Manual

American International University- Bangladesh

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
EEE2102: Electrical Circuits II Laboratory

Title:

Introduction to oscilloscope and AC waves as well as measuring form factor and peak factor
by oscilloscope.

Abstract:

This experiment includes the operational basics of the oscilloscope. Different quantities such
as form factor and crest factor can be measured from the oscilloscope. This experiment will
explain those methods of measurement and show corresponding calculation.

Introduction:

The purpose of the experiment is:

To become familiar with the Oscilloscope.
To measure the form factor and peak factor using oscilloscope.

Theory and Methodology:

If the polarity of voltage changes with time, it is known as an alternating voltage. The current
that such a voltage causes to flow repeatedly changes its direction and is called alternating
current.
Sinusoidal alternating voltage: The most commonly encountered type of alternating voltage
varies sinusoidally with time.

here, v = Vm sin ωt
v = value of alternating voltage at time t (called
instantaneous value).
Vm = maximum value of alternating voltage.
ω = angular velocity
Sinusoidal alternating current: A sinusoidal alternating voltage applied in a circuit results
in a sinusoidal alternating current.
where, i = Im sin ωt
v = value of alternating current at time t (called instantaneous value).
Vm = maximum value of alternating current.
ω = angular velocity.
Important A.C. Terminology:

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 i) Waveform: The shape of the curve obtained by plotting the instantaneous values
of voltages or current as ordinate against time t or θ or ωt.
ii) Instantaneous value: The value of an alternating quantity at any instant is called
its instantaneous value. The instantaneous values of alternating voltage and
current are represented by v and i respectively.
iii) Cycle: One complete set of positive and negative values of an alternating quantity
is known as a cycle. One cycle corresponds to 360º or 2π radians.
iv) Time Period: The time taken in seconds to complete one cycle of an alternating
quantity is called its time period. It is generally represented by T.
v) Frequency: The number of cycles that occur in one second is called the frequency
(f) of the alternating quantity. It is measured in cycles/sec or hertz (Hz).
vi) Amplitude: The maximum value (position or negative) attained by an alternating
quantity is called its amplitude or peak value. The amplitude of an alternating
voltage or current is designated by Vm (or Em) or Im.
Average Value of Alternating Current:
The average value of alternating current (sinusoidal) is zero over one cycle. It is because
positive area exactly cancels the negative area. However, half-cycle average value is zero.
Therefore whenever the average value of alternating current or voltage is asked, it is
understood for half-cycle.
i = Im sin θ (θ = ωt)

Average value of current,

Area of half−cycle
Iav = Base length of half cycle

π 𝜋
∫0 𝑖 dθ ∫0 Im sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜃 2Im
= = =
π 𝜋 𝜋

Iav = 0.637 Im

Hence, the half-cycle average value of a.c. is 0.637 times the peak value of a.c.
For positive half-cycle, Iav = + 0.637 Im
For negative half-cycle, Iav = - 0.637 Im
Similarly, for alternating voltage varying sinusoidally,
Vav = 0.637 Vm

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R.M.S or Effective Value:
The r.m.s or effective value of an alternating current (or voltage) is equal to that direct
current which results in the same expenditure of energy under the same conditions.
Irms = √𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑖 2

Irms = √𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 I𝑚 2 sin2 ω𝑡 (i = Im sin ωt)

Since the value of sin2 ωt varies between 0 and 1, its average value is 1⁄2

I𝑚
Irms = = 0.707 Im
√2

Similarly,
V𝑚
Vrms = = 0.707 Vm
√2

Form Factor and Peak Factor or Crest Factor

R.M.S Value
i) Form Factor = Average Value

The value of form factor depends upon the waveform of the alternating quantity. Its least
value is 1 (e.g., for square wave, rectangular wave) and may be high as 5 for the other waves.
The form factor for an alternating current or voltage varying sinusoidally is 1.11 i .e.,
For a sinusoidal voltage or current,
0.707 x Max.value
Form Factor = = 1.11
0.637 x Max.value
Max.value
ii) Peak Factor (or Crest Factor) = R.M.S value

The value of peak factor also depends upon the waveform of the alternating quantity. For
an alternating voltage varying sinusoidally. Its value is 1.414 i.e.,
For a sinusoidal voltage or current,
Max.value
Peak Factor (or Crest Factor) = = 1.414
0.707 x Max.value

Oscilloscope:
The main purpose of an oscilloscope is to graph an electrical signal as it varies over time.
Most oscilloscopes produce a two-dimensional graph with time on the x-axis and voltage on
the y-axis. The oscilloscope is a device for observing and taking measurements of electrical
signals and waveforms. The analog oscilloscope consists of a cathode ray tube (CRT) which

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displays a graph, primarily voltage versus time. It also has one or more amplifiers to supply
voltage signals to the CRT and a time base system for generating the time scale. Some of the
modern digital oscilloscopes use liquid crystal display screen for the same purpose. This
device allows real time graphs of voltage versus time to be drawn on the screen. This allows
studying and comparing various voltage waveforms in circuits. Usually two waveforms can
be displayed simultaneously. There are 2 channels for taking input voltage waveform. The
oscilloscope shows amplitude of voltage waveform along Y axis and time along X axis.

Figure 1: Front panel of a typical oscilloscope

Measurement of peak factor and form factor requires determining the peak-to-peak values or
the peak values. Following figure gives a clear idea about peak values and peak to peak
value.

Figure 2: peak value and peak-to-peak value of an alternating signal

Apparatus:

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1. Function Generator

2. Oscilloscope

3. Probes and Connecting Wires

Precautions:

The oscilloscope must be calibrated correctly before the start of the experiment. The
frequency and waveform mode of the function generator must be set as per requirement of
the experiment.

Experimental Procedure:

1. Connect the output of the function generator directly to the channel 1 of the oscilloscope.
Set the amplitude of the wave 10V peak to peak and the frequency at 1kHz. Select sinusoidal
wave shape.
2. Sketch the wave shape observed in the oscilloscope. Measure the peak value.
3. Change the frequency to 2.5kHz, 5kHz, 7.5 kHz and 10kHz. Measure the peak value in
each case. Is there any change in the peak value?
4. Measure the form factor and crest factor/peak factor for all the five frequencies. Fill the
following table with necessary calculations.

Data Table:
Table-1: Measuring from factor and peak factor

Frequency VP-P VP Vavg Vrms Form Peak

(kHz) (Volts) (Volts) (Volts) (Volts) Factor Factor
(rms (peak
value/ value/ rms
average value)
value)

Report:

1. Compare the calculated results and experimental data. Is there any difference(s) between
them? Find the percentage of error (if any).
2. Comment on the result as a whole.

Discussion:

Discuss the steps used to obtain the desired outputs. State some practical applications of the
equipment (oscilloscope) used in this experiment.

Conclusion:

Summarize the experiment here and discuss whether the objectives were fulfilled or not
within a short paragraph.

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Reference:

[1] Russell M. Kerchner, George F. Corcoran, ″Alternating Current Circuits″, 4th Edition,
Wiley, New York, 1960
[2] Robert L. Boylestad, ″Introductory Circuit Analysis″, 10th Edition, Prentice Hall, New
York, 2005-2006

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 6