Circuit Analysis Lab - An Introduction To Lab Equipment

ENG 214 - Laboratory 3
Introduction to Electrical Measurements Using the Oscilloscope

(Including RMS and Transformers)
Objective: To introduce the use of the oscilloscope for dc and ac voltage measurements;
to provide experience in the measurement of both sinusoidal and of non-sinusoidal
repetitive waveforms, including calculating their RMS levels; and to introduce the
characteristics and properties of electrical transformers.
1. An oscilloscope is at every electrical laboratory test station. Prior to lab
familiarize yourselves with the oscilloscopes operation and controls. The manual
is on the Data Sheet Servers under Manufacturers/Agilent.
2. The oscilloscope allows the measurement of one or two voltage waveforms
(channels) simultaneously. Some specialized oscilloscopes allow the
measurement of more simultaneous channels. Set the scope to channel (CH) 1.
Pressing the Auto button will set the oscilloscope to the approximately correct
setting for measuring a signal connected to the scope. (These settings may not
always be the best for all measurements).
3. Connection to the oscilloscope may be by shielded electrical cables or by special
scope probes. Scope probes usually are available as X1, X10 or X100 voltage
dividers. Investigate oscilloscope probes using the Internet prior to coming to lab.
Select two probes available in the stockroom for use with an oscilloscope during
the lab.
4. Repeat step 5 of Laboratory 1, which dealt with the construction of a voltage
divider. Use the oscilloscope as a dc voltmeter. Set a power supply to 8 V dc.
Construct a 4-to-1 voltage divider and measure the resulting dc voltage. (The dc
voltage level is indicated by the change in level from the ground reference and is
also given by the peak voltage). Measure the voltage with your multi-meter for
comparison.
5. Use the signal generator at your test station to produce a 1 kHz frequency
sinusoidal wave of 4 volts peak (8 volts peak-peak) when connected to the input
of the voltage divider. (The voltage at the output of the generator is not normally
the same as indicated on the generators display). Use the oscilloscope as an ac
voltmeter to obtain the correct voltage levels. (The sinusoidal signal should have
a zero average value, i.e. the maximum value of the sinusoid is + 4.0 volts and the
minimum value is -4 volts. If you cannot obtain 8 volts, try increasing the values
of the resistors used to make the voltage divider to greater than 1 k ohm).
6. Measure the voltage produced at the output of the voltage divider using the
oscilloscope. Turn on CH 2 of the scope and measure the input and output of the
voltage divider simultaneously. Use the scope to measure the frequency produced
by the generator. Record the scope traces using the computer (Scope Control
Sample Application on the desktop
7. Measure the voltage dividers output voltage using your groups multi-meter (ac
scale), using the Agilent (true RMS) voltmeter (ac scale) at the lab stations and
using the oscilloscopes RMS voltage function. Are the measured voltages all the
same? (The RMS voltage of a sinusoidal wave is 0.707 of its peak voltage).
8. Prior to the lab use Matlab to calculate the RMS voltage of a rectangular pulse
shaped waveform with a period of 1 ms. The wave should have a minimum peak
of 0 V and a maximum peak of 4 V. Calculate the RMS voltage for ON time
duty cycles of 20, 50 and 80 percent. Also calculate the RMS voltage for a
triangular wave of the same voltage levels (going from 0 to 4 volts and back to 0
volts at the end of the period).
9. Use the signal generator to produce the rectangular waveforms of step 8. Measure
the voltage of the three waveform using your groups multi-meter (ac scale),
using the Agilent (true RMS) voltmeter (ac scale) and using the oscilloscopes
RMS voltage function. (When you set the voltage from the generator to 4 V p-p,
becareful not to include any spikes at the ends of the waveform in your
measurement. Use the scale on the oscilloscope to insure you have the correct
voltage). Record the waveforms seen on the oscilloscope.
10. Repeat step 9 for the triangular wave. (50% symmetry saw tooth wave).
11. Why are the measured voltages not all the same? (Hint: The oscilloscope gives
the correct RMS voltage). Discusses any differences between the calculated and
measured waveforms. Discuss how you might design a true RMS voltmeter
(search the web for ideas).
12. Prior to lab research transformers on the Internet. Become familiar with the
relationship between Vin/Vout, Iin/Iout and Zin/Zout and transformer turns ratio.
13. Obtain a test transformer from the stockroom. Connect the output leads (black) across a
1 k ohm load resistor. Connect the input leads (red) to a signal generator set for a
sinusoidal signal at a frequency of 60 Hz. Adjust the signal generator for a voltage of
about 10 V peak-peak (or as high as you can get) across the input of the transformer.
Measure the output voltage across the 1 k ohm output load resistor. Measure the current
flowing into the input of the transformer. (Use the oscilloscope for all measurements.
To measure input current connect a resistor of 1 ohm is series with the ground side
of transformers input, and measure the voltage across this resistor to obtain the
current. Be careful to use a common ground for the voltage measurements, or else
you will short out the voltage. Also be sure to subtract the voltage across this
resistor from the input voltage to get the input voltage to the transformer.)
14. Calculate the ratio of the output voltage to the input voltage. Calculate the current
flowing through the output load resistor. From the Vout to Vin ratio estimate the turns
ratio of the transformer. What is the impedance (resistance) seen at the transformers
input (Vin/Iin)? Calculate the power flowing into the transformer and the power flowing
out of the transformer into the load resistor. What is the approximate power loss of the
transformer? What the power transfer efficiency of the transformer?
15. Repeat the last two steps for frequencies of 600 Hz and 6 kHz.
16. Measure with your ohm meter the dc resistance of the input and output winds of your
transformer. Is the dc resistance of the transformer windings a significant factor
compared to the input and output resistances?
17. Qualitatively observe the input and output waveforms of the transformer? What happens
when you switch to a triangular wave and a square wave? (Record the waveforms.)
18. What is the ratio of Vout/Vin of the transformer as a function frequency? Graph this
ratio versus frequency. Compare the performance (efficiency) of the transformer at
different frequencies? Graph efficiency vs. frequency. What would happen if you
applied dc to the input of the transformer? (You can try 1 V dc.) What is the highest
frequency you would recommend for use of the transformer? Can the transformer be
used with triangle and/or a square wave?

Circuit Analysis Lab - An Introduction To Lab Equipment

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Circuit Analysis Lab - An Introduction To Lab Equipment

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ENG 214 - Laboratory 3

Introduction to Electrical Measurements Using the Oscilloscope

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