LABORATORY EXPERIMENT NO. 1
FAMILIARIZATION WITH AC CIRCUIT
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT PARTICULARLY
THE OSCILLOSCOPE, FUNCTION GENERATOR,
AND OTHER AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT
Date Performed: _____________________
Date Submitted: _____________________
PROF. JOHN V. ELLA REE, ASEAN ENG
INSTRUCTOR
I.
OBJECTIVES:
•
To become familiar with the uses and functions of different parts of an
oscilloscope and function generator;
•
To identify and adjust the different controls of an oscilloscope and function
generator;
•
To draw/illustrate the different AC circuits laboratory equipment and identify
its parts.
II.
INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION
In electricity, alternating current occurs when charge carriers in a conductor or a
semiconductor periodically reverse their direction of movement. AC circuits are more
complex than DC circuits, so the instruments used to measure quantities involving
this kind of circuits are also coplex. These instruments momentously need deeper
understanding on how they are used to be able to make them function more
efficiently and to be able to avoid accidents on occuring. The voltage of an AC power
source changes from instant in time, and is difficult to predict making it more
complicated.
Electronic equipment can be divided into two types analog and digital. Analog
equipment works with continuously variable votages, while digital equipment works
with discreet binary numbers that may represent voltages samples. For example, a
conventional phonograph turntable is an analog device; a compact disc player is a
digital device.
The Oscilloscope
The oscilloscope is basically a graph-displaying device. It draws a graph of an
electrical signal. In most applications the graph shows how signal change over time;
the vertical (Y) axis represents voltage and the horzontal (X) axis represents time.
The intensity or brightness of the display is sometimes called the Z-axis. This simple
graph can tell many things about a signal. Examples are:
•
You can determine the time and voltage values of a signal.
•
You can calculate the frequency of an oscillating signal.
•
You can see the “moving parts” of a circuit represented by the signal
•
You can tell if a malfunctioning component is distorting the signal
•
You can find out how much a signal is DC or AC.
•
You can tell how much of a signal is noise and whether the noise is
changing with time.
An oscilloscope is a wide range of use especially in the field of electronics. They
are indispensable from anyone designing or repairing electronic equipment. An
automotive engineer uses an oscilloscope to measure engine vibrations. A medical
researcher uses an oscilloscope to measure brain waves. The possibilities are
endless.
Function Generator
A function generator is an electronic equipment designed to produce variablefrequency outputs. It is also called signal generator. It generates sinusoidal
waveforms as well as square and saw-tooth waves. The function generator provides
signals or signal stimuli for circuits so that the behavior of the circuit may be
observed through this condition given by this signal.
Other equipment used it AC circuit measurement are: Wattmeter – used to
measure power; Clamp-on meter – a multipurpose device used to measure
resistance, voltage and current. It is also used as a tester. It is used to measure at
high voltages.
III.
IV.
MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT/DEVICES
•
Oscilloscope
•
Analog Function Generator
•
Digital Function Generator
•
Wattmeter
•
Clamp-On Meter
PROCEDURE
1. Your instructor will provide you with the instruments and equipment needed in
the experiment.
2. Obtain a user’s operating manual of the instruments. If not available, make an
inquiry with your instructor on how the instrument and its controls function.
3. Carefully read and understand the information about the instrument written in the
manuals.
4. With the supervision of your instructor and with the aid of the manual, try to make
the instrument work. With the precaution observed, turn the power on and test
the functions of the controls.
5. Repeat procedures 2-4 with other instruments.
V.
DRAWING / LABORATORY SET-UP
(NOTE: Use a separate sheets of paper provided for your drawing and/or
illustration and label the parts)
VI.
DATA /TABLE PRESENTATION
(NOTE: Interpret the data you have presented according to the experiment
you’ve performed).
ILLUSTRATION
Figure 1.1 Oscilloscope
ILLUSTRATION
Figure 1.2 Function Generator
ILLUSTRATION
Figure 1.3 Wattmeter
Figure 1.4 Clamp-On meter
VI.
DATA / TABLE PRESENTATION
VOLTMETER
READING
OSCILLOSCOPE
READING
OSCILLOSCOPE
VRMS
PERCENTAGE
DIFFERENCE
Intrepretation:
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DATA / TABLE PRESENTATION
TRIAL
VOLTAGE
Parts of the
Oscilloscope
Functions / Definition
Parts of the Function
Generator
Functions / Definition
VII.
OBSERVATION / DISCUSSION ANALYSIS
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VIII.
CONCLUSION
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QUESTIONS
1. What have you observed in the duration of your experiment?
2. What is the significance of what have you observed from the experiment?
3. Make an analysis based from your observation and discussion.