CRO MEASUREMENTS

CRO can be used to measure various characteristics of an input signal and the properties of the output
signal. The various parameters which can be measured by using CRO are :

(i) Voltage;
(ii) Current;
(iii) Period;
(iv) Frequency;
(v) Phase;
(vi) Amplitude;
(vii) Peak-to-peak value;
(viii) Duty cycle etc.

1. Voltage Measurement

The procedure for voltage measurement is as follows:

 The voltage to be measured is applied to Y-deflection plates through the vertical amplifier.
Generally, a coaxial cable is used for connection.
 The X-deflection plates are excited by the time-base generator.
 To aid the measurement, a set of squares is marked on the transparent screen cover.
volts
 After noting down the selection in from the front panel (selected for measurement)
division
the peak-to-peak value, amplitude value and r.m.s. value of sinusoidal signal can be obtained as
given below :
Volts
I. Peak-to-peak value, V P−P = × (number of division)
division
V p− p
II. Amplitude Value, V max =
2
V P− P
III. R.M.S. value, V r . m . s .=
2√ 2
2.Current Measurement

A CRO has a very high input impedance and cannot be used for direct measurement of current.
V
However, the current can be measured in terms of voltage drop across a standard resistance as, I =
R
3. Time period measurement

For the measurement of time period(T) of the waveform, it is displayed on the screen such that one
complete cycle is visible on the screen.

Time
After noting the selected on the front panel, the time period of the waveform can be
Division
Time
obtained as : T = × (number of division occupied by one cycle)
Division
 1
The frequency can also be derived as f = (without Lissajous pattern)
T
4.