AC Fundamentals Flashcards
3 main ways to measure amplitude?
- Peak value
- Peak to peak value
- RMS value (DC equivalent)
3 basic measurements used when measuring an AC waveform?
- Amplitude (Voltage, current and/or power)
- Frequency (Time related / number of cycles in a given waveform that occurs in 1 second)
- Phase angle (used to compare 2 sine waves of identical frequency)
Define peak?
- Measured from the horizontal axis to either the maximum positive value or maximum negative value
- 1 positive or negative half cycle
Define peak to peak?
- Measurement between the maximum positive and the maximum negative portion of the waveform
- Equal to 2 x peak value
Define RMS?
- Root mean square
- Average (0.707 of the peak value)
- We see the RMS
Formula for VRMS?
VRMS = Vpk x 0.707
VRMS = V pk-pk divided by 2 x 0.707
Define cycle with regards to waveforms?
- 1 full positive and 1 full negative in a horizontal fashion across the axis
Define frequency?
- Represented by the letter f
- Measure in Hz
- Refers to the number of cycles completed in 1 second
Define period?
- Represented by the letter t (time)
- Measured in seconds (s)
- The time it takes for a waveform to complete 1 cycle
Formula for frequency?
f = 1/t OR f = t to the power of -1
Formula for period?
t = 1/f OR t = f to the power of -1
Define phase angle?
- The degree of separation between 2 waveforms of the same frequency
What does a Oscilloscope allow us to test?
Allows us to measure circuit values, such as:
- Voltage (pk=pk, pk and RMS)
- Frequency
- Period
- Phase angle
Oscilloscope construction?
- Liquid crystal display (LCD)
- Menu soft buttons
- Menu option buttons
- Channel 1, 2 and Maths settings
- Horizontal settings
- Miscellaneous buttons
- Trigger settings
- Probe connections
Probe construction?
- Earth alligator clip
- Probe tip (with witches hat extension)
- Variable compensation capacitor
- BNC connector
How to check calibration of oscilloscope?
Check the label is:
- In tact
- In date
- Signed
- Legible
Serviceability check for oscilloscope?
- Physically check for damage and ensure the power lead has a ‘test-n-tag’ label attached (in-tact, in date, signed and legible)
- Allow ‘power-on built-in-test’ to complete. Once this is finished, ensure all tests are displayed as passed
- Probe calibration
Oscilloscope safety?
- Ensure probes are connected to the testing equipment before connecting to the circuit under test
- Ensure alligator clip is only ever connected to the earthing point
- Ensure the maximum voltage is not exceeded
- Ensure the maximum voltage of probe is not exceeded
- Take care when disconnecting and connecting the oscilloscope
Phase angle voltmeter construction?
- On / Off switch
- Liquid crystal display (LCD)
- Test port
- Menu navigation buttons
- Reference input
- Signal input
- Charging indicator LED
- 5V DC input
- Charged indicator LED