How to Calibrate Oscilloscope

Oscilloscope is typically used for counting the frequency or magnitude of the voltage (amplitude) of a wave or electrical signal. Most people will use an oscilloscope to observe the shape of a sinusoidal waveform of the circuit or power source of alternating current or AC (Alternating Current) so that counting can directly magnitude below the peak amplitude of the wave to the top of the top, so it is often known as the peak to peak voltage (Vpp). But to do the calculations and get an accurate result it must be ascertained in advance that we will use the oscilloscope has been calibrated or not. To determine if the oscilloscope has been calibrated or how to calibrate I will explain as follows.

Oscilloscope basically there are a few main buttons that have different basic functions, among others.
Volt / div is used to set the voltage measurement or amplitudo in 1 box or div to limit the position of the top and bottom of the box. More precisely to determine the magnitude of the voltage which is calculated in each box.
Time / div is used to determine the limit of the measurement period (in seconds) or limit the left side and right side in one box or div.
Mode is to determine which channel is active or appear in the display. Generally can be one channel or both channels simultaneously, even to combine both the channel.
var on the volt / div is used to calibrate the voltage on each channel on the oscilloscope. The effect on the settings button that changes the distance up and down on one wave.
var on time / div is used to calibrate the period on all channel oscilloscope. Securities that comes up on the settings button that changes the distance left and right on the first wave.
Position on y to adjust and shift the location of the top and bottom of the wave on the screen.
Position on x to adjust and shift the location of the left and right waves on the screen.
For more details please look at all the buttons on the oscilloscope picture below .

Oscilloscope

The main image on the oscilloscope.

After all the functions of the buttons on the oscilloscope are understood then we can begin to do the calibration. First, we turn first osiloskopnya. Ensure that there is a line drawing on the screen and it was clear and not blurry. Where do they blur the focus setting prior to turning the focus knob below the screen, and check whether the line that looks slanted or straight? If a line appears slightly tilted immediately fixed by turning the settings on the slope of the hole in the bottom of the screen by using a screwdriver (-) small. After all the initial setup has been completed, immediately prepare an oscilloscope probe to be used. Since the function of the oscilloscope probe is very important to connect each channel oscilloscope on the device which we will measure and can be used to calibrate the oscilloscope itself. Oscilloscope probe itself is in addition to functioning as a link can also be used as a factor when the sources nor will we measure the circuit has a voltage oscilloscope than the maximum capacity, because there is a switch on the oscilloscope probes were labeled X1 and X10. The switch is usually only found on the original oscilloscope probe so by putting the X10 position we can still measure the voltage source greater than the measuring oscilloscope (volts / div) to 10-fold the maximum limits of the oscilloscope. But for homemade oscilloscope probe we can only use a maximum limit 1X on the oscilloscope.

Picture Probe oscilloscopes

In the picture above looks a switch on the original probe, but make sure the position of the probe remains on the X1. If the probe does not have the original can be used homemade probe using a good quality cable and alligator capi. Put the probe on channel 1 and select the mode switch on channel 1 (CH1.) as shown in the picture below.

Determining the mode on channel 1

After installing the probe on channel 1, position the probe tip at Cal existing terminal on the lower left corner on the oscilloscope screen. Note the inscription on it says that cal terminal 2 Vpp and 1kHz. That means the oscilloscope should be calibrated so that the value of the peak to peak or peaks up and down on the div box worth 2 volts and a frequency of 1 KHz 1div. In the picture below is a picture of the waveform calibration has not been done as yet to meet the existing rules on the terminal posts cal.

Placing the oscilloscope probe to the terminal cal.

The second step should be done for calibration is made ​​so that the values ​​calculated in the first box is 2 volts. The limitation used in the volt / div important free calculation results is div 1 box or 2 Volt. Rotate button var near the volts / div to adjust or calibrate the voltage on channel 1. When the value of one box is exactly 2 volts as shown below means calibrating the voltage on channel 1 has been successful. Then proceed to do kalibrsi frequency. Figure panels on the oscilloscope

Waveforms are in calibration voltage.

To perform the calibration voltage waves make the value 1 (one peak and one valley) on the square wave is 1 KHz. The way is set the volt / div square wave pulse that is easily seen (try the value of 0.5 ms or 1 ms only), and then turn the var below or near the time / div (var remember the time / div ...!). For example I use the time / div to 0.5 ms then I had to get the waveform peaks 1 box 1 box 1 box and 1 valley. So later when calculated value of the wave period of 1 (one peak and one valley) is 0.5 ms + 0.5 ms = 1 ms (the value of the wave period). Then the frequency f is 1 / T = 1/1 ms = 1 / 0.001 = 1000 Hz = 1 KHz (corresponding to a value of 1 KHz at Cal terminal right ...?). For more details, please see the picture below. Keep in mind that the value of var on the calibration of the voltage on channel 1 was already done, so do not ever change at all, if you do not have to repeat the calibration voltage channel 1 from the beginning again.

Setting time / div for frequency calibration

Waveform after calibration voltage and frequency

After doing all the above steps means the oscilloscope on channel 1 is calibrated voltage and frequency, it is ready for use. But channel 2 also requires calibration, so if we will use the oscilloscope channel 1 and channel 2 2 then the calibration should be done, but remember enough to calibrate only the voltage (volts / div), no need to get to the frequency (time / div) because for frequency calibration effect on channels 1 and 2. To test whether the calibration results we've succeeded or not to use an output voltage of the transformer, eg 12 volts AC with a frequency of 50Hz PLN.

Testing oscilloscope with an AC voltage source

In the picture above, we see that the wave that appears on the screen wider than the screen, change the volt / div at 5 volts.

Waveform sine amplitude limit

After setting on the volt / div then the form of a sine wave can be seen clearly on the oscilloscope screen as below.

Waveform after setting the limit amplitude (volts / div).

To further facilitate the calculation of voltage and frequency at the same time then set the time / div so the sine waveform will be obvious and easy to calculate the amplitude and period in the first wave.

Waveform after adjustment period (time / div)

After drawing pins can be calculated magnitude of the amplitude and period. Firstly may we count Vpp amplitude which is the value of the wave. The amount measured was 3.4 box (3 box + 2 strip line inside the box, each strip 0.2) and the volt / div that I use is 5 volts / div, then the value of Vpp is the sine wave is 3.4 div x 5 volt / div = 17 volts. So the magnitude is 17 volts Vpp, Vrms for her stay divided only by root Vpp Vpp multiplied 2 or 0.707. It will get Vrms = 17 x 0.707 = 12.019 volts (according to the inscription transformer). Furthermore, would we count what is the frequency? It may make it easier to position the top and bottom can be arranged in advance so that the wave is easy to obtain midpoint as shown below.

Adjustment of the position to calculate the period of a wave

For counting frequency then we need to know in advance the wave period. Based on the picture above it appears that the period (end nodes left and right) are 10 div x 2 ms / div = 20 ms. So the frequency is 1 / T = 1/20 ms = 1/0, 02 s = 50 Hz. Means of measurements using an oscilloscope on the output transformer 12 volts is 12.019 volts AC with a frequency of 50 Hz.

Hopefully above is useful as a baseline early, especially those wanting to learn more about Lissajous oscilloscope to find a model, compute the op-amp gain, integrator and differentiator.

Keep in mind that some models of the oscilloscope to the location of the button may vary slightly, but all the functions are the same as described above.