How to Use an Oscilloscope

[@lan5053]

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.

[@joshhaughton1893]

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!

[@kevincottrell4858]

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.

[@electronmarkboggess63]

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

[@rascal211]

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!

[@briananonymous724]

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.

[@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

[@paulgrodkowski3412]

Do you nake any money doing so?😀

[@eugenepohjola258]

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.

[@chrisnorton6622]

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.

[@andrew_koala2974]

Chris Norton It is only when the brain hurts that knowledge is being applied. When I was studying Electronics Engineering decades ago, whilst working for PHILIPS, My direct boss and mentor made my head hurt. I could have strangled him then. Years later whilst serving in the Military, I asked him why he was so tough. He explained it this way. Knowledge is like hammering a nail into a wall. To make sure it penetrates one has to hammer it hard. When one just 'casually throw the nail (knowledge) at the wall, it will bounce off. I realized that by being tough and a pain sometimes, he did me a great favor, in that I never forgot what he taught me, and by doing so made me a great Engineer. Ultimately leading to being posted as an exchange officer to the USAF, and having the opportunity to work on some special projects, in electronic weapons, robotics projects for NASA/UASF working with avionics specialists on the Presidents Jet(s), and having learned much during this time, as well as solving some specific problems. Stay with it. Success is achieved by 'DOING'. Trying does nothing, trying does not even cure constipation. It will only give you pain the A _ _ As a side note .. I am still good friends with my one time mentor and former boss. He is still alive and exceeded age 85.

[@robsinHL]

Yeah this was at the 4:45 mark or so. I saw your comment first so when he did the setup before taking a measurement (pushing every button and choosing a setting for everything I barely grasp) I laughed out loud.

[@akun10years10]

mee too man

[@michaelmitchell8218]

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.

[@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.

[@carriewagers1824]

What is this thing for?

[@TheTubeDude]

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

[@contractorwolf]

it is nice to see that Tucker from "Something About Mary" was able to move on and do something with his life

[@richardbeckwith4545]

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!

[@Okurka.]

☑ Lab coat ☑ Glasses ☑ Bow tie Looks legit.

[@gbowne1]

#BillNye

[@baruchben-david4196]

I never play around with electronics without my bow tie.

[@polymetric2614]

Bowties are cool.

[@robertturner4913]

@@polymetric2614 I caught that reference ;)

[@polymetric2614]

@@robertturner4913 since i made that comment i also have gathered additional evidence that bowties are cool: michael from the good place wears one

[@j3s0n]

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

[@rodcleaves9904]

Thanks for this, it was very helpful. I have several analog Tektronix scopes and could make them sing and dance. I think the newest one is over thirty years old. I just bought my first digital scope and was lost. Actually, it seems to be too automatic. I just wasn't ready for a "plug and play" scope. You gave me better and more information than the manufacturer documentation. Now, I'm off and running.

[@SimonBauer7]

yeah first using a digital scope is insane.

[@jackwritter1302]

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

[@swampflux]

Just bought a real digital scope, pulled this video up, ..... glazed over about half way through.... "uhhh let's watch it again." This is so much more powerful than I thought!

[@lunarmodule6419]

So well put together. Clear, rich, interesting, straight to the point. Thank you 😃

[@Andy-zs3jb]

I am not sure exactly what he was talking about, does it make toast or coffee?

[@behnammadadnia3410]

The best desciption ever about an oscilloscope

[@alocin110]

Excellent presentation. Nice commentary, clear audio, high quality video, and very practical short to the point demonstration. Great work. I liked your video. Thank you for educating.

[@RakibulIslam-yz3gn]

I was looking for a good video on how to use an oscilloscope. Then I found this . I think it's informative. And the last words were funny - " If you want to do some sciency.....whenever somebody walks by... all you gotta do is just measure a sine wave " :D

[@tombouie]

Most excellently done, just the right combo of pragmatics & KISS, perfect for me. I'm on the east coast of the US. So tomorrow I will bow humbly in your westward general direction. Weird well yes, but it's a geek/nerd physicist tradition/thing. Thks again

[@김덕용-y6e]

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

[@PatrickHennessey1764]

This is by far the best beginner tutorial out there!

[@ShawnHymel]

Thanks, glad you like it!

[@baruchben-david4196]

I've used scopes for years, but never knew what some things were for. Now I have a much better grasp of things - in particular, the 10x probe setting.

[@stanpak007]

It is very good informative tutorial. I use similar scope for my hobby and it really helped me to find sources of weird behavior or my circuits - without it I would be clueless. Even knowing already how to use the scope I learned bits of new things from this video. Thank you!

[@ShawnHymel]

Awesome! Glad it helped :)

[@leonjohnsonjr3331]

Stanislaw Pak lol me 2

[@paulgrodkowski3412]

Do you make any money doing so?

[@duanebarry2817]

Thanks for the clear explanation. I'm not sure I caught every detail on tuning the capacitor for 10x operation but I learned a lot anyway.

[@UltraNyan]

Glad that they didnt scare off any newbies with the fact that the scope shares ground on all channels and that ground is not isolated from the rest of the circuit in your house so if you go probing AC voltage and connect your ground to live or neutral you gonna have a really bad day.

[@xealit]

awesome! all important basics neatly packed in 1 video

[@cptbutters1394]

My college just threw out about 30 brand new ones and I grabbed a few cuz I thought they looked cool thanks for telling me what they do :)

[@abhijeetd.srivastava9820]

Where??

[@cptbutters1394]

Abhijeet D.Srivastava my school

[@keithforbes2326]

lucky lol

[@mymanjosquin]

how to use? i would recommend: 1. Turn it on. 2. Look at screen. 3. Keep looking 4. Repeat #3 5. Drink some coffee 6. Repeat #3 for a while 7. etc

[@elmoreglidingclub3030]

Very nice introduction to scopes. I have no electronics background but I am getting into ham radio and the topic is fascinating. Hoping to learn to use a scope to expand my understanding. Many thanks for the video.

[@agstechnicalsupport]

A very instructional and well produced video on using oscilloscopes

[@marcellusfrank126]

I like this. Making tech talk cool my dude. Very nice.

[@kollectormairu6881]

thanks, i found one at the side of the road and it WORKS thanks for the video!!

[@mik8352]

Nice and clear explanation. Thank you very much Shawn.

[@alphonseprecis2302]

Wonderfully clear and well-structured, good speed, only few concepts not defined

[@phillwildman]

This is a perfect video. Extremely informative and easy to follow. Ive just bought a new OS and you have filled in many of the gaps in my knowledge with this one video. Nice job. Thank you very much. 😎

[@Mr.Atari2600]

These waves are also used to make sound on old 8-bit Gaming Systems.

[@System-1541]

This guys videos are the best!

[@Дмитрий_Алкогольевич]

Thank you very much. It is nice guide for me (I am a little bit skilled, but bought an oscilloscope for the first time).

[@buisaigon1]

Easy to assemble, good strong materials, feels good, looks good.

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

This is going to be very useful as I've just bought and old 'scope. Thank-you... and now I find you do lots of interesting products, cool!

[@ronshaw80]

Nice and simple explanation of the basic functions. Good work.

[@ShawnHymel]

Thank you, glad you liked it.

[@ronjones4069]

The center conductor of the coax part of an oscilloscope probe is no simply a regular wire, the center conductor is actually quite resistive. With the probe in the X1 mode, one would think that there is an almost zero resistance between the probe tip and the BNC connector center pin but the resistance is actually a couple of hundred ohms!! Measure it yourself. This helps prevent ringing on fast rise time signals. The slight attenuation on signals is not only insignificant, it has a flat frequency response and is compensated for by the gain of the input amplifier. This is a sort of trivia bit of oscilloscope lore and has no effect on anything you showed In your excellent video. I will admit that I haven't watched a lot of oscilloscope primers and you may cover this bit of trivia l, but I found this fact out some years ago when I made a X50 probe for a very specialized application and it didn't work right....the problem was my 1 meter coax didn't like my really fast rise time pulses. It took a lot of research to find reference to the high resistive coax used in scope probes. There is very little reference to the fact that the coax used on oscilloscope probes uses a resistive center conductor. My solution was to harvest the coax from a defective probe and roll my own X50 probe. You have made a good video that will help lots of folks use this most important piece of test gear. Keep up the good work.

[@ChEeZeBaLL999]

I bought a scope just so I can look like I'm doing something sciency.

[@shawnhymel7647]

Always a good call.

[@richpaul8132]

Yea? Me too! (LOL). Frankly, I bought it because I need to test and adjust my Tascam 32 Reel to Reel Record and Playback heads. I've got a lonnnngggg way to go before I can do that. So I joined a forum and I printed out 3 different "How-To" manuals and one owners manual. Now I need to lock my home-office door for two hours everyday because my wife doesn't seem to understand that periodical intrusions while I'm reading these manuals requires my utmost concentration. I always wanted to learn how to use a scope but I've NEVER EVER touched or 'played' with one! I only recently realized that I wasn't near an oscilloscope more than maybe twice in my 60+years! That's really wild in my mind because I'm a retired 1st class machinist and have worked for at least 15 different production shops, job shops, mold and tool-making shops and even 3 or 4 specialty R&D shops! (Not to mention a number of journeyman field jobs I was hired to do). At least two or three of those shops were geared to machine electronics related parts and equipment. I may have seen a scope in the R&D shops, (one was an aerospace shop and two others were 'extreme-compression' operations). It just seems weird to me that as interested as I've always been about oscilloscopes, and the potentiality of one or more of those shops to have a scope, I've hardly ever even touched one... huh... Well now, I own one... "hmm let's see, where the on/off switch on this thing..." FWIW

[@wackenthaljef]

Ahahah! i liked" the wife intrusion section!!"

[@steb430]

I bought a load of books n shelves, and got rid of my T.V. to look more intelligent.

[@DougHanchard]

I'm a former B-707 and DC-8 driver and have made the mistake of exploring micro-electronics. I'm single so the wifey thing isn't gonna be a problem but the endless reading of manuals isn't my thing either. That's like engaging the auto-pilot and just scanning the steam gauges (or worse today, the glass screen cockpit displays now standard on flight decks...) and doing nothing but twiddling my thumbs for 6+ hours. At least with a radar (doppler) scope I could see what was important and know what it is. With these things, I'm beginning to think I need an EE PhD to understand them :) Good luck with the manuals and the wifey separation time. LOL

[@dramforever]

Very useful tutorial. I've never been taught how to use a digital oscilloscope works. Now I can go start up a scope in the school lab and do something useful instead of fooling around with nonsense signals :)

[@YourOldDog]

Thanks a millioon for taking the time. I am a rookie and learned a lot. I wanted to use my digi scope for stepper motor work.

[@mjackdk]

Very informative video, thanks! Two things: 1) How would you get from buying the SparkFun MiniGen kit to using it to test a scope? There seems to be some steps missing between having the MiniGen attached to a Pro Mini and actually having a setup that allows you to choose wave forms etc. (blue selector button and pot in the video) 2) What kind of software are you using to draw diagrams in the video? Are you using a pen or just a finger/mouse? Connected to a Wacom tablet?

[@jluke6861]

Great video. Thank you for making time and share with us.

[@joemason9187]

Very informative I've always wanted one and this vid certainly explains things keeping it to a good level

[@robdf9024]

Fantastic and very well explained. Thanks a lot for this nice tutorial.

[@hadireg]

A great scope tutorial so far! Thanks!

[@ShawnHymel]

Glad you like it, thank you!

[@rymburg]

This is an simple to the point video.....new subscriber.....hope you have videos like this on capacitors too.

[@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

[@EnvoyOfFabulousness]

Great video, a bit goofy but quick to the point and informative.

[@malcolmhodgson7540]

Thank you. That is the scope I am about to buy, so this tutorial was credibly helpful. Well presented as well.

[@TheSwartz]

wow, this is exactly what I've been looking for!! I wish I watched this about 8 hours ago :(

[@henrikfrisk4948]

Really appreciate your videos. They are clear and to the point. Keep up the good work!

[@ShawnHymel]

Thanks! Glad you like them :)

[@johnwest7993]

I could have used this info 50 years ago. But I had to learn everything the old-fashioned way, by getting shocked.

[@corey1064]

I here 10 min before my test keep posted to know how I do

[@shivanya816]

Hi... I know it's been two years but how did it go dude?

[@l0k4lh0s7]

@@shivanya816😂

[@shepcasey7240]

Probably should really study and understand?!

[@balls_deep_69]

​@@shepcasey7240 no shit really???

[@WinrichNaujoks]

Perfect video, just what I needed, being new to scoping!

[@sourcecreator2222]

excellent production

[@carrocesta]

the last seconds are the best part!!

[@kennylinda7303]

A few days ago I bought E-design's DS203 Mini Oscilloscope for digital oscilloscope. Not bad.

[@sephiroth0733]

it's so much fun, big fan of Shawn

[@kfire7042]

Great Video, I am new to using a scope, and this is probably the best explanation / tutorial I have seen. Thank you!

[@rmhcmp]

Great video. Also props to the bowtie and and love the background/set too. Mise en scene aside, very informative and well presented. I had a scope in high school and had no idea how to make it work. I wish I had hung onto it. Looking to add one to my workshop.

[@jamesberlo4298]

Excellent Tutorial , THANKS !

[@WV591]

true RMS multimeter used 90% of times and finds 90% of the problems. Scope used 10% if you want to look at IC chips Pins. Better to get in-circuit ESR meter than scope.

[@theindiandoctor4520]

EXCELLENT video. Thank you!!

[@jonathanwarner1844]

Shouild a metal screwdriver be used to adjust the capacitor? Surely a nylon / plastic one would not introduce any unwanted inductance / capacitance to the circuit.

[@yuyu63]

got a old oscilloscope out of a dumpster thanks for teaching me some basics

[@jago5300]

I have a really dumb question. I have a simple uni.t 2102 CeX oscilloscope just running a very simple lab. But I do run it off a inverter generator. Could you frequency from the generator give me false readings on my oscilloscope.

[@vedant6633]

How did u make the spark fun sign on oscilloscope

[@jennyminskey4086]

Hello, There is a high pitched frequency noise in my home. I believe it is a "mosquito" device. What can I use to find it? Thank you!!

[@mirage3rd]

Hobbyist and appreciate a refresh. Thanks

[@solapowsj25]

Excellent and up to date. Thank you.🌹

[@mxcrec]

This is a great 101 Oscilloscope video. Thank you!

[@AHMEDRAZA-yb8qm]

Sir, twice the output of the function generator is visible in the oscilloscope. Whereas the output impedance of the function generator and the impedance of CRO form a voltage divider circuit, so half of the input of the function generator should be visible in the oscilloscope. But it shows twice of FG input in CRO .Why so ? please explain

[@SDsailor7]

I would like to see a tutorial on a analog O'scope since that is what I got.

[@Autocharge1]

Fantastic work, and made simple to understand

[@BosleyBeats]

This video is so great. Love it

[@JamesBrodski]

This is a very interesting subject. I may not understand it, but at least I know about it.

[@TheZiggyman01]

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

[@rachelbest2191]

Hi, I need to check if Copy Generation Management System - Analog (CGMS-A) is enabled on an analog output STB. Can an oscilloscope detect these waves? I read CGMS-A embeds in the media CCI in the vertical blanking interval of the video signal (lines 20 or 21) if that helps at all?

[@youpattube1]

I am trying to see an intermittent signal (such as me touching and untouching a test point) and can't figure out how to do it. I want the scope to show 0v as a line across the screen, but when i very briefly tap the oscope probe to 12v, it shows the jump and then goes back to showing the 0v line when not touching. I want to see a jump that remains after my brief touch is not touching anymore. So like if I touch 12v 5 times in 10 seconds, i will see the 0v line interrupted by 5 brief 12v spikes. But I have tried for what seems like an eternity of trigger options, run/stop,auto set, normal set (auto set turned off), sec/div, and I don't remember what else. No luck. I can get it set so the line jumps to 12v, but as soon as I disconnect it, the line goes back to 0v. No history. Can someone explain to me how to do this. I have a 2 channel DOS (Hantek DSO5072P).

[@jjohnson67sg]

nice job! very good video, right to the point.

[@josedavidramosrodriguez1264]

Hello I would like to see a tutorial of the GA 1202CAL version because I do not know how to use it

[@SaeligCoInc]

Nice job guys! Alan Lowne

[@karhukivi]

A good demonstration but perhaps a simpler analogue single-channel scope for beginners?

[@ช่างโอ๋โมดิฟาย-ฮ5ย]

sorry sir.the probe is 10x can use with 300vdc? but scope limit at 50 v-pp. when I have osciloscope maximum band with 200khz .Can I use it for frequency 40 to 45 khz? Sorry I am a rookie. Thank you so much

[@vodafonee8vodafoneau644]

hi there, when your measuring AC power frequency, 50hz. This causes noise in the electrical goods. I wonder, is there a way to remove this frequency?

[@gerardlunow567]

I need to measure Insteon home automation signal levels on a Fluke 105B Scope Meter. I have not been able to configure it correctly.The Insteon signal happens around the zero-crossing. Thank you.

[@LOrealHardly]

Brilliant, Thanks OP!

[@xAckarax]

He said 100mhz is entry level but is that enough for your typical arduino based projects?

[@radhey04ec]

Overall video is too good, but I cant understand one line "DSO store and display image before Trigger, Thats why image of periodic waveform look like non moving static type"... I till not understand this.... How periodic Waveform look like stable image