There seems to be quite alot of PC-based oscilloscopes around, but my sound card is integral to my motherboard, and if I blew it up replacing it with the same model would cost about £150. You can understand why I am slightly nervous about it.
I need to make sure that my computer is protected from large currents, voltages etc. Do I need resistors? Transformers? Optoisolators? Resistors? Buffers? What?
As long as the signal going into the computer is pretty much the same as the signal being messured, and my computer is SAFE, I'm happy.
From what I read about the subject, a card works good. The Pci slot, etc. has a protection circuit built in. (some might not)
Find a friend that has some old sound cards that he don't use.
Better yet, find another pc, then you don't need to wory is something happens.
From what I read about the subject, a card works good. The Pci slot, etc. has a protection circuit built in. (some might not)
Find a friend that has some old sound cards that he don't use.
Better yet, find another pc, then you don't need to wory is something happens.
I don't speak norvegian, but I can guess: "Klikk her for å se skjemaet", will bring you to the schematic, anyhow, this is a direct link to the schematics for that box: **broken link removed**
The switch is for selecting AC or DC input, it's a perfectly normal scope control, and frequently used.
The rotary switch is a coarse gain control (switched attenuator), and the pot is a variable gain - you set them, as with anything, to suit what you are trying to measure.
Also, the ground on the probe connection - do I NEED to connect this to the ground in my circuit?
You need to connect it 'somewhere', it's usually conected to the ground of the circuit you're testing, but not always - again, it depends what you are trying to do - but you MUST have both connections.
I don't wish to appear rude, but these questions are extremely basic, if you need to ask them you probably shouldn't be trying to use a scope. Bear in mind the protection afforded to the PC is fairly slight, not knowing what you are doing could easily blow your PC.
hmm, its a fair point. My knowledge of electronics is extremely basic, it was just that when I realised that I could have a reasonable scope, for the price of a few components, I saw the opportunity to learn something! Although to be fair, lots of pretty lines on a computer screen will mean very little to me...
Bear in mind the protection afforded to the PC is fairly slight, not knowing what you are doing could easily blow your PC.
That did worry me, and that was why I was asking lots of questions. To be honest, I'd rather not have a scope at all, than risk seriously damaging my PC...
The rotary switch is a coarse gain control (switched attenuator), and the pot is a variable gain - you set them, as with anything, to suit what you are trying to measure.
hmm, that was what I had assumed. The problem I have is that being very inexperienced, even if I knew what I was trying to measure, I wouldn't know where to set the controls!! You can see my problem.
No, you wern't being rude, and I appreciate the honesty. Do you think I should just not bother with this, and do something more worthwhile in my quest for electronics greatness (!) ?
Never give up, just try to find some info on how to use a scope and start from there. Often there is info on waveforms included. When you know the basics of the scope you will know if it is for you or not.