How to Use an Oscilloscope

Oscilloscopes allow you to visualize how electrical signals change over time. This means you can measure periodic and transient signals, which might be too fast for your digital multimeter to catch. Oscilloscopes can be indispensable for debugging circuits.

In the video, I talk about why 10x probes are useful, how to tune the compensation capacitor in a 10x probe, how to measure periodic signals, and how to set up a single capture trigger for a transient signal. I hope that this works as a starting place for someone who might be just beginning with oscilloscopes.

[joshhaughton]

This is by far the best oscilloscope instructional video. The instruction was very clearly explained and covered all the bases to get up and running to diagnose equipment. Thank you for making this video!

[kevincottrell]

This is one of the better oscilloscope tutorials I have seen. Very detailed and concise, extremely clear, I intend on saving it and watching it again. Thank you.

[electronmarkboggess]

Scopes are a must for debugging effectively and not just throwing parts at an issue. Great video!!

[rascal]

I could watch this 1000 times and not be able to remember everything to explain it.

[Quarky_]

I don't know how Shawn does it, but his videos are _always_ exceptionally clear, and very information dense!

[PurpleScrafty]

I studied electrical engineering in college but worked outside my field after graduating. I'm looking to go back now after 5 years and you brought back so much buried knowledge. Thank you

[lan]

It would be helpful if you could give practical examples of WHY one would need to use an oscilloscope. I’ve seen many videos telling me what oscilloscopes measure, and how the machine can be dialled in to take these measurements, but I still don’t understand what kind of circuit problems or situations require an oscilloscope.

[chrisnorton]

You said we only needed to use one or two knobs.... but then you turned them all. You made my brain hurt. I'm not giving up regardless. Though my brain be small, my will is gigantic. This still makes my brain hurt though. I think I mentioned that.

[michaelmitchell]

I like people like this. Tell you information and not talk like they know it all or put things down or try to say you must buy this to get the job done.

[gerarddip]

0:14 You totally look like a first wave artist from the '80s that my mom woulda listened to religiously. I guess we are dealing with signal synthesis Lol

[briananonymous]

This is a very informative tutorial, especially the part on probes. It's also very well produced.

True, it is pretty dense and I admit I can't absorb everything in but one viewing.

But Shawn is very precise and exceptionally clear, so the trick (at least for me) is to watch the video repeatedly until I'm satisfied I've learned everything I can.

And if I have any questions, I can always ask my friend Google!

Thanks for a great lesson.

[TheUnkus]

Haven't had to use one in years. We were cleaning out clutter from my job, and boss was going to toss one. I asked if I could have it, and here I am brushing up on my basics. Mainly want to use it as a display piece on a shelf with my audio output connected for a cool frequency display. But will likely use it for more.

[TheTubeDude]

Doesn't get any better at teaching than this video. Excellent.

[eugenepohjola]

Howdy.
The 10X feature is to enable measuring high voltages or to provide very low loading of the measured circuit.
Tuning the probe capacitor means that the probe R/Xc ratio is the same as the input R/Xc ratio. This delivers best signal fidelity.
Using an oscilloscope be aware that the signal grounds are galvanically bonded. One could introduce short circuiting when using both channels doing measurements in an appliance. Worse still. Older cathode ray scopes also have their signal grounds connected to the chassis and the power Protective Eath ( = power ground ) is also connected to the chassis. There are real dangers to smoke one's appliance or getting shocked.
Always feed an older scope through a separation transformer. Always use a galvanic separator in one channel when doing dual channel measurements.
In my digital scope there are galvanic connections between the power ground ( = Protective Earth ) and the input grounds. However. I use the scope in an older apartment where there are only two prong outlets in the room. Old wiring may, totally legally, be as they were done originally. So I do not need to feed the scope through a separation transformer.
Regards.

[jackwritter]

The last 5 seconds and the smirk did it for me. Thanks.

[Okurka.]

☑ Lab coat
☑ Glasses
☑ Bow tie

Looks legit.

[TheZiggyman]

Thanks a million for this video. Got the same scope 👍

[jsn]

Thank you for this video. It's literally the best scope tutorial on youtube, and I've watched loads of them over the last few days

[richardbeckwith]

Great video, love the humour whilst still maintaining a high level of useful and important information; a big thumbs up from me, subscribed and saved to watch again at a later date after I’ve bought my first oscilloscope! Many thanks!

[김덕용-ye]

This is the best tutorial video. Really helped me understand what each function means