AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY–BANGLADESH

(AIUB)
DEPARTMENT OF EEE
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS LAB
FALL 2023-2024
Section: H Group: 7

LAB REPORT ON
To be familiar with the operations of an oscilloscope and measuring corresponding AC quantities from the
waveforms obtained from the oscilloscope.

Supervised By
TAMIM HOSSAIN

Submitted By
Name ID Contribution
1. MD.ASHRAFUL ISLAM 22-48175-2 Discussion and
Conclusion,practical
calculatiom
2. SUMSHUN NAHAR EITY 22-48227-2 Theory , Methodology,
Result,theoratical calculation
3. JABIN TASMIM MITU 22-48196-2 Experimental Procedure and
Calculations,References
4.MST. TAMANNA JAFOR 22-48200-2 Experimental Procedure and
BIPPY Calculations,
Result.
5. HASAN MAHMUD BHUIA 22-48234-2 Simulation,Apparatus,
Precautions
Date of Submission: 03-Oct-2023

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Title: To be familiar with the operations of an oscilloscope and measuring corresponding AC quantities from
the waveforms obtained from the oscilloscope.

Abstract:

The operation of the oscilloscope and function generator can be understood after completing this lab. In
addition to different AC quantities such as peak value, peak-to-peak value, the time period can be measured
using an oscilloscope by observing the wave of alternating current generated by the function generator. Also,
RMS values can be determined using a multimeter, and average voltages can be determined using a
theoretical calculation.

Introduction:

The purpose of the experiment is:

• To become familiar with the Function Generator and Oscilloscope.
• To measure peak value, peak-to-peak value, average value, rms value, time period, frequency and
phase difference using oscilloscope.

Theory and Methodology:

i) Function Generator: A function generator is usually a piece of electronic test equipment used to generate
different types of electrical waveforms over a wide range of frequencies. Some of the most common
waveforms produced by the function generator are the sine, square, triangular, and sawtooth shapes. These
waveforms can be either repetitive or single shot (which requires an internal or external trigger source).
Integrated circuits used to generate waveforms may also be described as function generator ICs. Function
generators cover both audio and RF frequencies.

Figure-1: Typical Function Generator and Different Wave shapes

ii) Oscilloscope: The oscilloscope is a device for observing and taking measurements of electrical signals and
waveforms. The analog oscilloscope consists of a cathode ray tube (CRT) which displays a graph,
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 primarily voltage versus time. It also has one or more amplifiers to supply voltage signals to the CRT and
a time base system for generating the time scale. Some of the modern digital oscilloscopes use liquid
crystal display screen for the same purpose. There are three controls for the screen, which are focus,
intensity, and beam finder knobs. Besides the screen, there is also a vertical section and a horizontal
section.
This device allows real time graphs of voltage versus time to be drawn on the screen. This allows studying
and comparing various voltage waveforms in circuits. Usually, two waveforms can be displayed
simultaneously. There are two channels for taking input voltage waveform. The oscilloscope shows amplitude
of voltage waveform along Y axis and time along X axis.

Figure-2: An Oscilloscope

Figure-3: Different Parts of an Oscilloscope

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 Figure-4: Functional Diagram of Oscilloscope
iii) Oscilloscope Probe: An oscilloscope probe is a high-quality connector cable that has been carefully
designed not to pick up stray signals originating from radio frequency (RF) or power lines. They are
especially useful when working with low voltage signals or high frequency signals which are susceptible
to noise pick up.

Figure-5: Oscilloscope Probe

iv) Basic Operations of an Oscilloscope:

The Trace: The trace is one of the most basic operations of an oscilloscope. The oscilloscope draws a trace,
which is a horizontal line, across the screen. The time base control determines how quickly the trace (also
called a sweep) is drawn. When the voltage becomes negative or positive, the viewer displays a
correspondingly positive or negative jump in the trace on screen.

Vertical and Horizontal Sensitivity Controls: These controls allow the user to determine manually the
sensitivity, both vertically and horizontally. This allows oscilloscopes to accommodate a wide range of input
amplitudes.

Focus Control: This allows users to adjust the sharpness of the trace. New flat panel models do this
automatically.

Beam Finder: This control prevents the trace from deflecting off screen or otherwise being blocked. Because
the beam finder prevents the trace from deflecting off screen, it may temporarily distort the trace.

Time base Control: This control determines how quickly the oscilloscope draws the trace. This control
allows users to manually select the sweep speed, which is in seconds per unit on the square grids (graticule)
seen on the oscilloscope display.

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Intensity Control: The intensity control determines how intensely the trace is drawn. For CRT models, a high
intensity is desirable for fast traces, and for low-speed lower intensity. Speed is unimportant for LCD models.

Types of Sweeps: There are four types of sweeps: triggered, recurrent, single, and delayed. Triggered sweeps
reset the screen every time the trace reaches the right end of the screen and are useful for periodic signals like
sine waves. Recurrent and single sweeps are more common on older models and are less useful for
qualitatively observing signals. Delayed sweeps allow users to get a very detailed look at voltage.
AC Fundamentals:

Wave shape: The shape of the curve is obtained by plotting the instantaneous values of voltage or current as
the ordinate against time as an abscissa (X-axis value) is called waveform or wave shape [1].

Cycle: One complete set of positive and negative values of an alternating quantity is called a cycle. One
complete cycle is 2π or 3600[1].

Time Period: The time required to complete one cycle of the alternating quantity is called a period, expressed
by the symbol T [1].

Frequency: The no. of cycle per second is called the frequency of the alternating quantity. Unit is Hertz (Hz).
Frequency, f = (1/T) Hz [1].

Peak Value: The maximum instantaneous value of a function or waveform is called the peak amplitude [2].

Peak to Peak Value: It is the sum of the magnitude of the positive peak and negative peak of a given wave
form [2]. For a voltage waveform it is denoted by VP-P = |Vm| + |-Vm| = 2Vm.

Figure-6: Characterization of sinusoidal time varying signal

Average Value: The steady current that transfers across any circuit the same charge as is transferred by that
alternating current during the same time expresses the average value of a sinusoid [3]. Vavg = 0.636Vm,
where Vm is the maximum value of the sinusoid.

RMS Value: The Root Mean Square (RMS) value is the DC equivalent value of an alternating quantity which
is given by that steady current which when flowing through a given circuit for a given time produces the same
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heat as produced by the alternating current when flowing through the same circuit for the same time [3]. Vrms
= 0.707Vm, where Vm is the maximum value of the sinusoid.
The digital multimeter (DMM) is used to measure DC currents and voltages. The DMM in the AC Mode can
also be used to measure the RMS value of an AC waveform.

Phase Difference: Phase difference is the difference of phases corresponding to similar point of two
alternating wave (if frequency of both waves must be same).
Leading & Lagging Waves: In figure 7, there are two waves, Wave I1 and Wave I2. Wave I1 leads Wave I2
by angle α or Wave I2 lags Wave I1 by angle α.

Figure-7: The phase difference between two waves

Measurements from Oscilloscope:

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 Figure-8: Waveform(s) in oscilloscope in: (left) single mode and (right) dual mode

In figure-8 (left), Vertical: 2Volts/Div and Horizontal: 0.2ms/Div. 4 divisions peak to peak times 2V/Div. Peak
to Peak Value, VP-P = (4Div) x (2V/Div) = 8V. Peak Value, VP =4V. Average Value, Vavg= 0.636 x (4V) =
2.544V. RMS Value, Vrms = 0.707 x (4V) = 2.828V. 5 divisions between "zero crossing". Time Period, T =
(5Div) x (0.2ms/Div) = 1ms. Frequency, f = (1/T) = (1/1ms) = 1kHz.
In figure-8 (right), there are two waves, Wave A and Wave B. The phase difference can be calculated by the
equation, θ = [{Phase Shift (no. of div.)/T (no. of div.)} x 360˚]. 1 division = 5 small divisions, Phase Shift =
1 small division and T = 25 small divisions. θ = [{(1 small div.)/(25 small div.)} x 360˚] = 14.4˚. Wave B
leads Wave A by 14.4˚ or Wave A lags Wave B by 14.4˚.

Apparatus:

1. Function Generator
2. Oscilloscope
3. Probes and Connecting Wires

Precautions:

The oscilloscope was calibrated correctly before the start of the experiment. The frequency and waveform
mode of the function generator was set as per requirement of the experiment.

Simulation:

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Figure: Sinusoidal wave where f=2KHz, T=0.5ms, Vp=1V

Figure: Sinusoidal wave where f=1KHz, T=1ms, Vp=2V

Figure: Sinusoidal wave where f=0.5KHz, T=2ms, Vp=3V

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 Figure: Sinusoidal wave where f=0.4KHz, T=2.5ms, Vp=4V

Figure: Sinusoidal wave where f=0.333KHz, T=3ms, Vp=6V

Data Table:

Frequency Time Period Vp-p (volts) Vavg Vrms (volts)

Vp
(KHz) (ms) (volts)
2 0.5 2 1 0.636 0.707
1 1 4 2 1.272 1.414
0.5 2 6 3 1.908 2.121
0.4 2.5 8 4 2.544 2.828
0.333 3 12 6 3.816 4.242

Calculation:

For frequency f 1= 2 KHz; Vp = 1V;

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T=1/2 = 0.5ms; Vp-p = 1+1 = 2; Vavg = 0.636×1 = 0.636V; Vrms = 0.707×1 = 0.707V

For frequency f 1= 1 KHz; Vp = 2V;

T=1/1 = 1ms; Vp-p = 2+2 = 4; Vavg = 0.636×2 = 1.272V; Vrms = 0.707×2 = 1.414V

For frequency f 1= 0.5 KHz; Vp = 3V;

T=1/0.5 = 2ms; Vp-p = 3+3 = 6; Vavg = 0.636×3 = 1.908V; Vrms = 0.707×3 = 2.121V

For frequency f 1= 0.4 KHz; Vp = 4V;

T=1/0.4 = 2.5ms; Vp-p = 4+4 = 8; Vavg = 0.636×4 = 2.544V; Vrms = 0.707×4 = 2.828V

For frequency f 1= 0.333 KHz; Vp = 6V;

T=1/0.333 = 3ms; Vp-p = 6+6 = 12; Vavg = 0.636×6 = 3.816V; Vrms = 0.707×6 = 4.242V

Discussion:

In this lab, we have generated a sinusoidal wave for an alternative current using a function generator. We have
observed the figure of the wave using an oscilloscope. We determined the peak value and time period from
the figure of the wave. Also, we determined RMS and the average value using a multimeter and theoretical
calculation, respectively. Besides, we simulate the wave function in simulation software and generate a
waveform and determine peak values and time periods, which are exactly the same as our physical
experiment using an oscilloscope.

Reference:

[1] Russell M. Kerchner, George F. Corcoran, ″Alternating Current Circuits″, 4th Edition, Wiley, New
York, 1960, pp. 48-50.

[2] Robert L. Boylestad, ″Introductory Circuit Analysis″, 10th Edition, Prentice Hall, New York, 2005-
2006, p. 524.

[3] Er. R.K. Rajput, ″Alternating Current Machines″, 3rd Edition, Laxmi Publications, New Delhi, 2002,
p. (xi).

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