AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY–BANGLADESH (AIUB)
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS LAB
Spring 2024-25
Section: P
Group: 02
Experiment No. 07: To be familiar with the operations of an oscilloscope
and measuring corresponding AC quantities from the waveforms obtained from the
oscilloscope.
Submitted to: MD. MAHMUDUL HASAN
Name ID Contribution Remarks
1. EMAMUL KABIR OVI 22-49664-3 20%
2. AL SHAMS MD. ROHAN 22-49684-3 20%
3. TOUSIF TARIK 23-53577-3 20%
4. SHAFAYAT JAMIL 23-55457-3 20%
5. SAMIRA ALAM DIA 24-57605-2 20%
Date of Performance: 30.04.2025
Date of Submission: 14.05.2025
Comments/Marks :
Contribution
Serial ID NAME Contribution Percentage
Procedure,
1. 22-49664-3 1. EMAMUL KABIR OVI Result, 20%
Discussion
Abstract,
2. 22-49684-3 2. AL SHAMS MD. ROHAN 20%
Result,
Calculation,
3. 23-53577-3 3. TOUSIF TARIK 20%
Abstract,
Data Table,
4. 23-55457-3 4. SHAFAYAT JAMIL 20%
Simulation
Theory,
5. 24-57605-2 5. SAMIRA ALAM DIA 20%
Apparatus
Total: 100%
Title:
To be familiar with the operations of an
oscilloscope and measuring corresponding AC
quantities from the waveforms obtained from the
oscilloscope.
Introduction:
The purpose of the experiment is: Figure-1: Typical Function Generator and
• To become familiar with the Different Wave shapes
Function Generator and -This figure shows a function generator, a
Oscilloscope. device used to create different types of
• To measure peak value, electrical waveforms like sine, square,
peak-to-peak value, triangle, and sawtooth waves, which are shown
average value, rms on the right. These waveforms are used in labs
value, time period, to test and study how circuits and systems
frequency and phase respond to different signals.
difference using
oscilloscope. ii)Oscilloscope: The
Theory and Methodology: oscilloscope is a device for
observing and taking
i) Function Generator: A measurements of electrical
function generator is usually a signals and waveforms. The
piece of electronic test analog oscilloscope consists
equipment used to generate of a cathode ray tube (CRT)
different types of electrical which displays a graph,
waveforms over a wide range of primarily voltage versus time.
frequencies. Some of the most
It also has one or more
common waveforms produced
by the function generator are the amplifiers to supply voltage
sine, square, triangular, and signals to the CRT and a time
sawtooth shapes. These base system for generating the
waveforms can be either time scale. Some of the
repetitive or single shot (which modern digital oscilloscopes
requires an internal or external use liquid crystal display
trigger source). Integrated screen for the same purpose.
circuits used to generate There are three controls for
waveforms may also be the screen, which are focus,
described as function generator intensity, and beam finder
ICs. Function generators cover
knobs. Besides the screen,
both audio and RF frequencies.
there is also a vertical section
and a horizontal section.
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. iii)Oscilloscope Probe: An
Usually, two waveforms can oscilloscope probe is a high
be displayed simultaneously. quality connector cable that has
There are two channels for been carefully designed not to
taking input voltage pick up stray signals
waveform. The oscilloscope originating from radio
shows amplitude of voltage frequency (RF) or power lines.
waveform along Y axis and They are especially useful when
time along X axis. working with low voltage
signals or high frequency
signals which are susceptible to
noise pick up.
iv)Basic Operations of an Oscilloscope:
The Trace: The trace is one
of the most basic operations of
an oscilloscope. The
oscilloscope draws a trace,
which is a horizontal line,
across the screen. The time
base control determines how
quickly the trace (also called a
sweep) is drawn. When the
voltage becomes negative or
positive, the viewer displays a
correspondingly positive or
negative jump in the trace on
-These figures shows the front panel screen.
of a CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope), labeling the main Vertical and Horizontal
parts like power, input channels, Sensitivity Controls: These
signal controls, and the screen where
controls allow the user to
the waveform is displayed. These
also shows a Cathode Ray determine manually the
Oscilloscope (CRO), a device used to sensitivity, both vertically and
display and measure electrical horizontally. This allows
signals. The top images label the oscilloscopes to
main controls and input channels,
accommodate a wide range of
while the bottom diagram explains
how signals travel inside the CRO to input amplitudes.
form a visible waveform on the
screen. Focus Control: This allows
users to adjust the sharpness
of the trace. New flat panel Cycle: One complete set of
models do this automatically. positive and negative values
of an alternating quantity is
Beam Finder: This control called a cycle. One complete
prevents the trace from deflecting
cycle is 2π or 3600 [1].
off screen or otherwise being
blocked. Because the beam finder
Time Period: The time
prevents the trace from deflecting
off screen, it may temporarily
required to complete one
distort the trace
cycle of the alternating
quantity is called a period,
Time base Control: This control expressed by the symbol T
[1].
determines how quickly the
oscilloscope draws the trace. This Frequency: The no. of cycle
control allows users to manually per second is called the
select the sweep speed, which is frequency of the alternating
in seconds per unit on the square quantity. Unit is Hertz (Hz).
grids (graticule) seen on the Frequency, f = (1/T) Hz [1].
oscilloscope display.
Peak Value: The maximum
Intensity Control: The intensity instantaneous value of a
control determines how intensely function or waveform is called
the trace is drawn. For CRT the peak amplitude [2].
models, a high intensity is
desirable for fast traces, and for Peak to Peak Value: It is the
low-speed lower intensity. Speed sum of the magnitude of the
is unimportant for LCD models. positive peak and negative
peak of a given wave form [2].
Types of Sweeps: There are four types of For a voltage waveform it is
sweeps: triggered, recurrent, single, and delayed. denoted by VP-P = |Vm| + |-Vm|
Triggered sweeps reset the screen every time the = 2Vm.
trace reaches the right end of the screen and are
useful for periodic signals like sine waves.
Recurrent and single sweeps are more common
on older models and are less useful for
qualitatively observing signals. Delayed sweeps
allow users to get a very detailed look at voltage.
AC Fundamentals:
Figure-6: Characterization of
Wave shape: The shape of sinusoidal time varying signal
the curve is obtained by
plotting the instantaneous -This figure illustrates key voltage
parameters (V2, Vrms, Vpeak, Vpeak-
values of voltage or current as
peak, V1) and the time period of a
the ordinate against time as an
waveform, essential for analyzing AC
abscissa (X-axis value) is
signals in the lab.
called waveform or wave
shape [1].
Average Value: The steady
current that transfers across
any circuit the same charge as
is transferred by that
alternating current during the
same time expresses the
average value of a sinusoid
[3]. Vavg = 0.636Vm, where Vm Figure-7: This figure shows phase difference
is the maximum value of the between two waves.
sinusoid.
RMS Value: The Root Mean
Square (RMS) value is the DC
equivalent value of an
alternating quantity which is
given by that steady current
which when flowing through a
given circuit for a given time
produces the same heat as Measurements from Oscilloscope:
produced by the alternating
current when flowing through
the same circuit for the same
time [3]. Vrms = 0.707Vm,
where Vm is the maximum
value of the sinusoid.
The digital multimeter
(DMM) is used to measure Figure-8: Waveform(s)
DC currents and voltages. The in oscilloscope in: (a) single mode and (b)
DMM in the AC Mode can dual mode. This figures demonstrates how
also be used to measure the to measure waveform's peak-to-peak
RMS value of an AC amplitude using vertical grid divisions on
waveform. an oscilloscope, while the zero crossing
points highlight the timing intervals critical
Phase Difference: Phase for calculating frequency or period and also
difference is the difference shows how to find phase angle of two
of phases corresponding to waveforms.
similar point of two
alternating wave (if In figure-8 (a), Vertical:
frequency of both waves 2Volts/Div and Horizontal:
must be same). 0.2ms/Div. 4 divisions peak to
Leading & Lagging Waves: In figure peak times 2V/Div. Peak to
7, there are two waves, Wave I1 and Peak Value, VP-P = (4Div) x
Wave I2. Wave I1 (2V/Div) = 8V. Peak Value,
leads Wave I2 by angle α or VP =4V. Average Value, Vavg=
Wave I2 lags Wave I1 by 0.636 x (4V) = 2.544V. RMS
angle α Value, Vrms = 0.707 x (4V) =
2.828V. 5 divisions between peak to peak and the
"zero crossing". Time Period, frequency at 1kHz. Select
T = (5Div) x (0.2ms/Div) = sinusoidal wave shape.
1ms. Frequency, f = (1/T) = 2. Sketch the wave shape
(1/1ms) = 1kHz. observed in the oscilloscope.
Determine the time period of
In figure-8 (b), there are the wave and calculate the
two waves, Wave A and frequency.
Wave B. The phase 3. Change the frequency to
difference can be calculated 2.5kHz and note what
by the equation, θ = [{Phase happens to the display of the
Shift (no. of div.)/T (no. of wave. Repeat when
div.)} x 360˚]. frequency is increased
1 division = 5 small divisions, Phase 10kHz. Draw the wave
Shift = 1 small division and T = 25 small shapes for both cases.
divisions. 4. Measure the peak value,
θ = [{(1 small div.)/(25 small peak-to-peak value, average
div.)} x 360˚] = 14.4˚. Wave value, rms value for all
B leads Wave A by 14.4˚ or the five frequencies. Fill the
Wave A lags Wave B by following table with
14.4˚. necessary calculations.
Apparatus:
1. Function Generator Data Table :
2. Oscilloscope
Frequency Time VP-P VP Vavg Vrms
3. Probes and
(KHz) period(ms) (Volts) (Volts) (Volts) (Volts)
Connecting Wires
Precautions:
The oscilloscope must be 1 1 3.14 1.57 0.99852 1.1099
3 0.333 3.14 1.57 0.99852 1.1099
calibrated correctly before the
5 0.2 3.14 1.57 0.99852 1.1099
start of the experiment. The
The table presents waveform data at 1
frequency and waveform
kHz, 3 kHz, and 5 kHz, showing the
mode of the function
expected inverse relationship between
generator must be set as per
frequency and time period (T = 1/f). The
requirement of the
consistent Vp-p,Vp, Vavg and
experiment.
VRMSvalues confirm the waveform is a
symmetric, correctly measured sine wave
Experimental Procedure: across all frequencies.
Report :
1. Connect the output of the Here we know,
function generator directly to Vavg = 0.636 × Vp
the channel 1 of the
Vrms= 0.707 × Vp
oscilloscope. Set the
amplitude of the wave 10V f = 1/T
For 1 KHz, measurement accuracy. Proper probe
VP-P = 3.14 V selection and calibration are essential for
VP = 3.14 / 2 = 1.57 V preserving signal integrity. Measurement
Vavg = 0.636 × Vp = 0.636×1.57 = Techniques: Different measurement
0.9952V techniques may be required for different
Vrms= 0.707 × Vp = 0.707 × 5 = 1.1099 V types of waveforms (e.g., sinusoidal, square
For 3 kHz, wave, pulse). Understanding the
Time Period = 0.333 ms characteristics of the waveform and
VP-P = 3.14 V selecting appropriate measurement
VP = 3.14 / 2 = 1.57 V techniques are vital for accurate
Vavg = 0.636 × Vp = 0.636×1.57 = measurements.
0.9952V Signal Processing: Advanced oscilloscopes
Vrms= 0.707 × Vp = 0.707 × 5 = 1.1099 V may offer signal processing capabilities such
as FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) analysis,
Simulation: which allows to analyze the frequency
components of a signal. Understanding how
to utilize these advanced features can
provide deeper insights into the behavior of
AC waveforms
Conclusion:
In conclusion, mastering the operations of
an oscilloscope and accurately measuring
-This simulation demonstrates the use of a AC quantities from obtained waveforms
function generator (XFG1) to produce a 1 require a combination of theoretical
kHz sine wave signal with a 3.14 V peak-to-
knowledge, practical skills, and familiarity
peak amplitude, which is then visualized on
an oscilloscope (XSC1) to analyze the
with the oscilloscope's features. Continuous
waveform's frequency, amplitude, and shape. practice and experimentation are key to
It helps in understanding how signal becoming proficient in these areas.
generation and measurement tools are used in Additionally, staying updated with
electronic circuit testing. advancements in oscilloscope technology
Discussion: Accuracy vs. Precision: It's can further enhance your measurement
essential to understand the difference capabilities.
between accuracy (how close a measured
value is to the true value) and precision (the Reference:
level of detail or resolution in the
measurement). Oscilloscope calibration and Russell M. Kerchner, George F.
probe compensation can significantly affect Corcoran, ″Alternating Current
measurement accuracy and precision. Circuits″, 4th Edition, Wiley,
Signal Integrity: Maintaining signal New York, 1960, pp. 48-50.
integrity is crucial, especially when dealing Robert L. Boylestad,
with highfrequency signals. Factors such as ″Introductory Circuit Analysis″,
probe loading, impedance mismatch, and 10th Edition, Prentice Hall, New
noise can distort the waveform and affect York, 2005-2006, p. 524.
