PicoScope 7 Software
Available on Windows, Mac and Linux
Scope for hobby applications including mains voltage
Scope for hobby applications including mains voltage
Hello,
I'm looking for an entry level PC based scope for various hobby applications. Since I often deal with various appliances plugged into mains, I was hoping to find a scope that can deal with ~220-240 V (if nothing else to avoid a disaster if I touch the mains by mistake) but it looks like the PicoScopes are limited to 20V.
What would this wise crowd suggest?
Thanks,
Eric
I'm looking for an entry level PC based scope for various hobby applications. Since I often deal with various appliances plugged into mains, I was hoping to find a scope that can deal with ~220-240 V (if nothing else to avoid a disaster if I touch the mains by mistake) but it looks like the PicoScopes are limited to 20V.
What would this wise crowd suggest?
Thanks,
Eric
Re: Scope for hobby applications including mains voltage
What about a entry level scope and a differential probe.
Benno
Benno
Re: Scope for hobby applications including mains voltage
Thanks for the suggestion! Differential probes seem to be twice as expensive as an entry level scope, which means trippling the cost of the whole set up which is far beyond what I was hoping to spend on this.
Eric
Eric
Re: Scope for hobby applications including mains voltage
measuring at mains voltage need always differential probes.
For every type of scope you use even if you use a 10000 euro scope. (Especially for expensive scopes you need to use a differential probe because you can easy damage your expensive scope).
Benno
For every type of scope you use even if you use a 10000 euro scope. (Especially for expensive scopes you need to use a differential probe because you can easy damage your expensive scope).
Benno
Re: Scope for hobby applications including mains voltage
OK thanks.I that case, I'll just be careful not to touch mains.
Eric
Eric
Re: Scope for hobby applications including mains voltage
If you want do do it without differential probe then you need to do at least 2 things. Or you risk blowing up your scope and the PC that is connected to the scope via USB.
1. use 1:10 probes and set them to 1:10
2. Connect the shielding of the BNC connectors to the ground of your mains wiring (not the neutral) with a thick at least 2.5mm wire. So that if your ground clip touches the mains the circuit breaker goes out and not your scope and PC.
P.S. If you are not exactly knowing the risks and precautions your should take, not ever even think of measuring mains voltage devices with a scope.
Benno
1. use 1:10 probes and set them to 1:10
2. Connect the shielding of the BNC connectors to the ground of your mains wiring (not the neutral) with a thick at least 2.5mm wire. So that if your ground clip touches the mains the circuit breaker goes out and not your scope and PC.
P.S. If you are not exactly knowing the risks and precautions your should take, not ever even think of measuring mains voltage devices with a scope.
Benno
Re: Scope for hobby applications including mains voltage
Yes, that makes a lot of sense. Thank you for the extra advice.
Eric
Eric