Ateneo de Naga University

College of Engineering
Department of ECE and CpE
A/Y 2012-2013
Circuits II Laboratory

Measurement of AC Voltage with an Oscilloscope

Experiment 1

13 November 2012
Date Performed

20 November 2012
Date submitted

Members:
Cortes, Marc Ian
Lao, Daniel Jan
Montaez, John Joshua
GE31

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Objectives of the Experiment:

The oscilloscope is a device which is used to view the shape of varying voltages. If the wave, shape,
duration, and amplitude of a varying potential are known, the rms and average value of the voltage can be
computed. This experiment will deal with the use of oscilloscope to measure sinusoidal voltages.
Theoretical Background
Oscilloscope
An oscilloscope, previously called an oscillograph, and informally known as a scope, CRO (for
cathode-ray oscilloscope), or DSO (for the more modern digital storage oscilloscope), is a type
of electronic test instrument that allows observation of constantly varying signal voltages, usually as a
two-dimensional graph of one or more electrical potential differences using the vertical or y-axis, plotted
as a function of time (horizontal or x-axis). Many signals can be converted to voltages and displayed this
way. Signals are often periodic and repeat constantly, so that multiple samples of a signal which is
actually varying with time are displayed as a steady picture. Many oscilloscopes (storage oscilloscopes)
can also capture non-repeating waveforms for a specified time, and show a steady display of the captured
segment.

Measuring voltage and time period

The trace on an oscilloscope screen is a graph of voltage against time. The shape of this graph is
determined by the nature of the input signal. In addition to the properties labelled on the graph, there is
frequency which is the number of cycles per second. The diagram shows a sine wave but these properties
apply to any signal with a constant shape.

Amplitude is the maximum voltage reached by the

signal.
It is measured in volts, V.
Peak voltage is another name for amplitude.
Peak-peak voltage is twice the peak voltage
(amplitude). When reading an oscilloscope trace it is
usual to measure peak-peak voltage.
Time period is the time taken for the signal to complete one cycle.
It is measured in seconds (s), but time periods tend to be short so milliseconds
(ms) and microseconds (s) are often used. 1ms = 0.001s and 1s = 0.000001s.
Frequency is
the
number
of
cycles
per
second.
It is measured in hertz (Hz), but frequencies tend to be high so kilohertz (kHz) and megahertz
(MHz) are often used. 1kHz = 1000Hz and 1MHz = 1000000Hz.

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Method of Experiment
I.

Experimental Set Up

II.

Brief outline of Experimental Procedure

1. Prepare the Oscilloscope.

2. Connect the signal and adjust the VOLTS/DIV switch so the signal is totally on screen.
3. Set the TIME/DIV to the desired number of cycles.
4. Set-up the circuit in the figure.
5. Using the VOM, set the voltage across the whole network to 50Vrms.
6. Using the oscilloscope, measure and record in Table 1 the peak-peak voltage across the following
points:
E1 A to B
E2 A to C
E3 A to D
E4 A to E
E5 B to C
E6 B to D
E7 B to E
E8 B to F
E9 C to D
E10 D to E
7. Using the VOM, measure and record the Vrms across each of the points above.
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8. Compute for the peak value for each point using

9. Compute for the Vrms for each point.

10. Compute the % difference between each Vrms and their corresponding values measured with a VOM.

III.

Brief outline of Calculations to be Made

a.
b.

c.

1. We determine the peak to peak voltage that can was given by the oscilloscope. Afterwards, we can
determine peak voltage using equation a.
2. Afterwards, we can determine the voltage in RMS by using equation b.
3. Using the VOM we can measure the actual voltage in RMS, thus we can measure the
by using equation c.
Equipment List
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Oscilloscope
VOM
Varlac
1000(2W)-ohm resistor
680(2W)-ohm resistor
470(2W)-ohm resistor
330(2W)-ohm resistor
220(2W)-ohm resistor

Data Section
53.5
65
87.5
103.0
11.20
37.50
52.7
84.0
26.5
16.35

(comp),V
26.75
32.5
43.75
51.5
5.6
18.75
26.0
42
13.25
8.175

(comp),V
18.92
22.98
30.94
36.42
3.96
13.26
18.38
29.70
9.27
5.78

18.20
22.21
30.62
36.30
4.04
12.52
18.23
30.05
8.43
5.88

Per Cent Diff (Percent Error),%

3.96
3.47
1.04
0.33
1.98
5.91
1.98
1.16
9.06
1.70

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Analysis Section
LAO

The validity of the data was proven with the use of the oscilloscope and by experimenting on the
following circuit that was given.
The probable sources may vary from the equipments used like the oscilloscope, VOM, and
breadboard.
The probable magnitudes of the measured values can be approximately near to the expected
values on the experiment.
The errors could be reduced by practicing proper maintenance of the equipment like the tester
and breadboard by assuring that it is properly working.

PROBLEMS
1.
Average Value EAVE(oscilloscope) Eave = 2EM /
Measured
Average
Value(oscilloscope)(Ep) Value(computed)(Eave)
VAve(E1)
26.75
17.03
VAve(E2)
32.5
20.71
VAve(E3)
43.75
27.87
VAve(E4)
51.5
32.81
VAve(E5)
5.6
3.57
VAve(E6)
18.75
11.94
VAve(E7)
26
16.56
VAve(E8)
2
1.274
VAve(E9)
13.25
8.44
VAve(E10)
8.175
5.16
2.
Average Value EAve(VOM) Eave = 2ERMS /
Measured
Average
Value(VOM)(ERMS)
Value(computed)(Eave)
VAve(E1)
18.2
11.59
VAve(E2)
22.2
14.14
VAve(E3)
30.62
19.50
VAve(E4)
36.3
23.12
VAve(E5)
4.04
2.57
VAve(E6)
12.52
7.98
VAve(E7)
18.23
11.61
VAve(E8)
30.05
19.14
VAve(E9)
8.43
5.37
VAve(E10)
5.88
3.75
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3.
Percent Difference of each average value
Eave % difference Eave % difference
(oscilloscope)(%)
(VOM)(%)
VAve(E1)
36.34
36.31
VAve(E2)
36.28
36.3
VAve(E3)
36.30
36.32
VAve(E4)
36.29
36.31
VAve(E5)
36.25
36.39
VAve(E6)
36.32
36.26
VAve(E7)
36.30
36.31
VAve(E8)
36.3
36.31
VAve(E9)
36.3
36.30
VAve(E10)
36.29
36.22
4. Based from the data, the voltage measured by the oscilloscope is slightly larger in magnitude than the
measured values with the use of VOM.
5.
at
t=0
e = 0 mv
t = 16.6 msec e = 18.3135 mv
t = 8.3 msec e = 9.1704 mv
t = 4.15 msec e = 4.5869 mv
t = 12.45 msec
e = 13.7471 mv
6.

168

-168

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MONTAEZ
1. How valid are the data?
The validity of the data is established because the data confirmed with the expected values and data
gathered is accurate and precise from the simulated values in the electronic workbench software that
simulates different circuits. Moreover, the data are not distant from the measured and expected value of
that certain quantity like the voltage.
2. What are the probable sources of error?
The probable sources of errors are the measuring instrument like the multi-meter, the ac variable
transformer, and the color-coded resistor. The multi-tester can give values that are slightly different from
the actual values being measured like voltage. The ac variable transformer may give voltages that are
different from the indicated value in the supply itself. The color-coded resistor may give resistances that
are not in the 5% or 10% tolerance. It can cause misconception whenever the data gathered were in the
state of error. Furthermore, confidence of the experimenters also affects the system of determining the
values needed.
3. What are the probable magnitudes of the different errors?
The probable magnitudes of the different errors were not that far from the expected output or
simulated values of a certain experimental setup that the group executed. The probable magnitudes of
the different errors can lead to misunderstanding among the experimenters if the different errors where
obtain.
4. How could the errors be reduced?
The errors can be reduced through having enough skill and knowledge with the experiment being held
and also having an accurate measuring instrument so that accurate and precise value can be obtained
which can cause the realistic and expected conclusion to be observed. In addition, reading the
instructions carefully can reduce the magnitude of the errors in the data being gathered.
Problem
1. For each value of voltage measured with oscilloscope, compute the average value

Average values of V(oscillscope) Computed Value

26.75
32.5
43.75
51.5
5.6
18.75
26.0
42
13.25
8.175

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2. For each value of voltage measured with oscilloscope, compute the average value

Average values of V(RMS) Computed Value

18.20
22.21
30.62
36.30
4.04
12.52
18.23
30.05
8.43
5.88
3. Compute the percent difference compare with each pair of average values.
Percent Difference of each average value
Eave % difference (oscilloscope)(%) Eave % difference (VOM)(%)
36.34
36.31
36.28
36.3
36.30
36.32
36.29
36.31
36.25
36.39
36.32
36.26
36.30
36.31
36.33
36.31
36.3
36.30
36.39
36.22

4. How do these differences between compare with the differences in RMS values?
The differences between compare with the differences in RMS values is not that far enough
with respect to one another. But there is a more slightly high percent difference in the
voltages under the oscilloscope.
5. Compute the instantaneous value of
At t=0, t=16.6msec,t=8.3msec, t=4.15msec, t=12.45msec

t=0

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t=16.6msec

t=8.3msec

t=4.15msec

t=12.45msec

6. Plot a curve of the values computed in Problem 5

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10 | P a g e