ESET 113

Electric Circuits II Lab

Instructor: Ziyad Kas

Lab
Lab Assignment: Oscilloscope
Student Name(s):

Honor Pledge:
I pledge to support the Honor System of ECPI. I will refrain from any form of academic
dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as a member of the
academic community, it is my responsibility to turn in all suspected violators of the honor code. I
understand that any failure on my part to support the Honor System will be turned over to a
Judicial Review Board for determination. I will report to the Judicial Review Board hearing if
summoned.

Date: 1/1/2018
Contents
Abstract.......................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction................................................................................................................................................3
Procedures..................................................................................................................................................3
Data Presentation & Analysis......................................................................................................................8
Calculations.............................................................................................................................................9
Required Screenshots............................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................14
References.................................................................................................................................................15

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Abstract
During the lab session I delved into exploring the features of Tektronix and Multisim oscilloscopes in
addition, to a function generator to enhance my skills in measuring both DC and AC voltages. The main
goals were to get acquainted with how these devices work and comprehend their real world uses in
voltage measurement. I carried out a series of tests where I measured DC and AC voltages using the
oscilloscopes comparing the precision and capabilities of Tektronix and Multisim instruments. The
outcomes showcased the efficiency of each oscilloscope in capturing and showcasing voltage signals
underlining the significance of selecting the tool for measurements. The lab ended with a grasp, on
operating both oscilloscopes and utilizing them effectively for future tasks.

Introduction
In this lab we delve into the world of oscilloscopes tools, in the field of engineering for visualizing and
measuring electrical signals. Oscilloscopes voltage waveforms over time enabling users to study signal
attributes such as amplitude and frequency. These measurements play a role in the development,
testing and diagnosis of systems. Oscilloscopes employ two kinds of probes; ended probes that gauge
voltage to a common ground and differential probes that measure the voltage variance between two
points without grounding reference. The main control groups on an oscilloscope are the controls for
adjusting signal amplitude horizontal controls for setting the time scale and trigger controls, for
stabilizing waveform display. The lab aims to enhance proficiency with Tektronix and Multisim
oscilloscopes grasp the function generators operation and master measuring DC and AC voltages.

Procedures
During the lab session I started by turning on the Tektronix oscilloscope and the function generator. I
connected the oscilloscope probes to the function generators output. Setting the function generator to
generate a wave, with frequency and amplitude I used the vertical and horizontal controls on the
Tektronix oscilloscope to adjust and calibrate the display by utilizing the built in calibration signal.
Switching the function generator to DC mode I measured a DC voltage adjusted the oscilloscope for a
display and recorded voltage readings. Transitioning to an AC signal on the function generator with a
wave setting I measured peak to peak voltage and frequency using the oscilloscope. Exploring
waveforms like square and triangle waves I documented their measurements. Additionally I utilized
Multisim software to create a circuit with an oscilloscope and function generator mimicking
measurement steps for DC and AC voltages taken with Tektronix oscilloscope. Lastly I compared
measurements obtained from both Tektronix and Multisim scopes, for accuracy or usability differences
before powering down equipment and ensuring all data was properly recorded for analysis.

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Part I: Oscilloscope operation:

In this section, the instructor will present the theory of operation of the oscilloscope and its
main functions in circuit measurements. You may want to refer to the operating manual for
detailed explanation of the oscilloscope functions. (Your oscilloscope model may be different
than the one shown below.)

Figure 1. Tektronix Oscilloscope

Part II: DC Voltage measurement:

1. Connect the circuit shown in Figure 2.

2. Calculate the current flowing in the circuit. Record the value in Table 1.
3. Calculate the voltage across R1. Record the value in Table 1.
4. Measure the voltage across R1 using DMM. Record the value in Table 1.
5. Measure the current flowing in the circuit using DMM. Record the value in Table 1.

R1

1.0kΩ

VS
12 V

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 Figure 2. Circuit Diagram

6. Turn on your oscilloscope.

7. Set the coupling to ‘GND’, as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3. Oscilloscope screen with GND Coupling

8. Connect CH1 probe across the resistor. Make sure the ground lead is connected
to the power supply ground.
9. Set CH1 VOLTS/DIV to 5VOLTS/DIV.
10. Set CH1 coupling to ‘DC’.
11. The waveform observed should be similar to Figure 4.

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 Figure 4. Oscilloscope screen with DC measurement

12. Measure the voltage across R1 using oscilloscope. Record the value in Table 2.
13. Modify the circuit by placing 2kΩ resistor in series with 1kΩ, as shown in figure 5 below.
R1

1.0kΩ

VS R2
12 V 2kΩ

Figure 5. Series circuit

14. Measure the voltage across R1 using oscilloscope. Record the value in Table 2.
15. Measure the voltage across R2 using oscilloscope. Record the value in Table 2.

Part III: AC Voltage measurement:

1. Modify the circuit by replacing the DC source with the AC Power source as shown in
Figure 6 below.
R1

1.0kΩ

1 Vrms R2
VS 1kHz 2kΩ
0°

Figure 6. Series circuit

2. Measure the peak voltage across R1 using oscilloscope. Record the value in Table 3.
3. Measure the peak voltage across R2 using oscilloscope. Record the value in Table 3.

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Part IV: The Native Multisim Oscilloscope
1. Connect the circuit shown in Figure 7. Set the function generator to a sinusoidal
waveform with a frequency of 100 Hz, a peak amplitude of 10 VP, and 0 V DC offset.

Figure 7. Series Circuit

2. Place the oscilloscope and digital multimeter (DMM) as shown in Figure 8. The DMM
should be set to read AC volts. The oscilloscope should be set to 5 ms/Div under time
base and 2 V/Div for Channel A. It should also be set to AC mode.

Figure 8. Test equipment setup

3. Measure the amplitude of peak voltage (Vp) and amplitude of peak-to-peak voltage (Vpp).
Record the values in Table 4.

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 4. Count the number of vertical divisions deflected between the negative and positive
peaks. Record the value in Table 4.

5. Record the DMM measurement of the voltage across R1 in Table 4.

6. Set the function generator to each value listed in Table 4. You will have to change both
the vertical and horizontal scales to make the measurements. Record the number of
vertical oscilloscope divisions the signal is deflected, the peak voltage (using the
cursors) and the peak-to-peak voltage (using the cursors), and the DMM voltage
reading.

Part V: Understanding DC Offset and AC and DC measurement modes

1. Modify the circuit in Figure 8 to include a second DMM and connect Channel B of the
oscilloscope across R2.

2. Set the function generator to a frequency of 1 kHz, Amplitude 5 VP, and Offset 5 V.

3. Set one DMM to read AC volts and one DMM to read DC volts.

4. Set the oscilloscope time base to 500 µs/Div. Set Channel A settings to 2 V/Div and AC
mode. Set Channel B settings to 2 V/Div and DC mode.

5. Run the simulation and take a screenshot.

6. Explain the results in the conclusions.

Data Presentation & Analysis

Table 1. Measured and Calculated Values for Circuit of Figure 2

Voltage (V) Current (I)

Calculated 1k Ω * 12 mA = 12 V 12V / 1k Ω = 12 mA
Measured 12 V 12 mA

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 Table 2. Resistance Values for Circuit of Figures 2 and 5

VR1 (V) Circuit Figure 2 VR1 (V) Circuit Figure 5 VR2 (V) Circuit Figure 5
12 V 4V 8V

Table 3. Resistance Values for Circuit of Figure 6

Vp across R1 (V) Vp across R2 (V)

480 mV 936 mV

Table 4. AC Oscilloscope Measurements

Function Generator Oscilloscope DMM Voltage

Settings

Frequency Voltage, Vp Volts/Div Deflection Vp Vpp VRMS

100 Hz 10 V 2 5 Div. 4.992 V 9.985 V 3.535 VRMS
500 Hz 20 V 5 4 Div. 9.936 V 19.801 V 7.071 VRMS
1 kHz 30 V 10 3 Div. 14.939 V 29.909 V 10.606 VRMS
2 kHz 50 V 10 5 Div. 24.834 V 49.778 V 17.677 VRMS

Calculations

Part 2 Step 2 I = 12V / 1k Ω = 12 mA

Part 2 Step 3 V = 1k Ω * 12 mA = 12 V

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Required Screenshots

Screenshot for Part 2 Step 4 (VR1)

Screenshot for Part 2 Step 5 (I)

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Screenshot for Part 2 Step 12 (VR1)

Screenshot for Part 2 Step 14 (VR1)

Screenshot for Part 2 Step 15 (VR2)

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 Screenshot for Part 3 Step 2 (VR1)

Screenshot for Part 3 Step 3 (VR2)

Screenshot for Part 4 Step 6 (f = 500 Hz, Vp = 20 V)

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Screenshot for Part 4 Step 6 (f = 1 kHz, Vp = 30 V)

Screenshot for Part 4 Step 6 (f = 2 kHz, Vp = 50 V)

Screenshot for Part 5 Step 5

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Conclusion
1. Measuring DC Voltage with an Oscilloscope (Part 2): In Part 2, I used the oscilloscope to
measure DC voltage by connecting the probes across the circuit element and setting the
oscilloscope to DC mode. The characteristic of the DC waveform on the oscilloscope was a flat,
steady line at the voltage level corresponding to the DC signal, indicating that there were no
variations over time, as expected for a direct current.

2. Measuring AC Voltage with an Oscilloscope (Part 3): In Part 3, I measured AC voltage using the
oscilloscope in AC mode, where the waveform displayed was a sinusoidal wave that oscillated
around the zero-volt line. This characteristic waveform indicated the periodic nature of the
alternating current, with the peak-to-peak voltage representing the amplitude of the AC signal.

3. Adjusting Vertical and Horizontal Scales (Part 4): In Part 4, I adjusted the vertical and horizontal
scales to better visualize the waveform on the oscilloscope. Changing these scales does not alter
the actual voltage or frequency of the signal but changes how the signal is displayed on the
screen, allowing for more precise analysis. The vertical scale adjustment affects the amplitude
display, while the horizontal scale adjusts the time base, allowing for zooming in or out on the
waveform.

4. Observations in Part 5:

o DMM AC mode: The DMM in AC mode measured only the AC component of the signal,
ignoring the DC offset, and displayed the effective (RMS) value of the alternating
voltage.

o DMM DC mode: The DMM in DC mode provided the total voltage, which included both
the DC offset and any AC components that might affect the average voltage.

o Oscilloscope AC mode: In AC mode, the oscilloscope filtered out the DC offset, showing
only the fluctuating AC waveform, centered around the zero-volt line.

o Oscilloscope DC mode: In DC mode, the oscilloscope displayed the entire waveform,

including both the AC signal and the DC offset, allowing for a complete view of the
signal’s behavior.

Throughout the experiment, I encountered a few challenges, such as needing to carefully adjust the
oscilloscope settings to accurately capture the waveforms. These were resolved by fine-tuning the
vertical and horizontal controls and ensuring the correct mode was selected for each measurement.
Overall, the experiment reinforced my understanding of how to use an oscilloscope to measure and
analyze both AC and DC signals effectively.

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References

Floyd, T. L., & Buchla, D. M. (2019). Principles of Electric Circuits (10th Edition). Pearson
Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780134880068

Kas, Z. (3/13/2024). EET113 DC & AC Circuits – 3.3 Lab Assignment Overview

https://ecpi.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=795a8832-2b58-4a5b-a92b-
b1c500c1a715&start=199.354526

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