The Portable Oscilloscope - An Affordable Tool For The Electronics Enthusiast



Posted: Sunday, April 03, 2011

by Stephen Rowell

The oscilloscope is one of the most useful pieces of electrical test equipment because it doesn't just display a reading; it displays a picture. By applying the instrument to different parts of an appliance, circuit or piece of electrical equipment, a technician can usually see where the shape of the electrical signal varies from the expected pattern. He or she can then work out where the problem lies.

The original versions used a pen to trace the shape of the signal on a rotating drum, but the picture obtained was far from exact as it had to be built up over thousands of cycles. The first cathode ray oscilloscopes were invented in 1897, and made use of a phosphor coated Cathode Ray Tube. The first triggered sweep models were invented in 1946 by Howard Vollum and Jack Murdock who went on to found Tecktronix.

In the 1980's a further change came with the invention of the digital oscilloscope by Jack Le Croy. In the Twenty First century almost all models made are digital, with the result that these devices have become smaller, lighter and available to a new market. When once they were only used in a laboratory environment, portable oscilloscopes are now readily available, and there are many models which are not just portable; they're pocket sized.

The result is that these instruments are no longer just for scientists and engineers. Portable models the size and price of a good multimeter are available to hobbyists and others and of course the usual accessories are available, from leather cases to charging kits. How portable is portable? Some modern oscilloscopes are so portable they can be operated with a single thumb.

If you're thinking of buying a portable oscilloscope you'll find a wide variety available to suit different needs and budgets. Some of the cheaper brands such as Rigol are excellent value for money whilst a Fluke oscilloscope is much more expensive but comes with top specification as well as training videos and support included.
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