Best battery powered oscilloscope for beginner? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: SayaR
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 13, 2023, 09:08:13 pm
content: Hello, I am interesting to get my first oscilloscope but I have limit space available to keep it. I want to get a proper oscilloscope following spec (minimum)5% accuracy for <100mA range and 2% accuracy with 100mA above for 3.3V100Mhz bandwidth1GS/s sample rate10Mpts Memory depth2 ChannelsMust be able to power by battery (could be official support or mod)Small in size and able to store easilyCan someone please suggest a good option? I currently eye on Microsig STO1004 and sounds like meet all my need, however it cost more than what my budget allows

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2023, 09:30:28 pm
content: So, you think a scope with those specs are the solution to your problem. That may be right, but we can't comment without knowing your problem!In other words, tell us what you want to use the scope for.In many cases a scope isn't even the most appropriate instrument.

author: SayaR
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 13, 2023, 09:42:00 pm
content: I am planning to use the oscilloscope to measure low power device and circuits (most under DC 24V or maybe sometime AC 120V)For example:Measuring and viewing signal around ESP32 and ESP8266 designMeasuring power supply(AC to DC and DC to DC) ripple and currentMeasuring and viewing voltage waveformsMeasuring Duty-Cycle of a PWM Signal

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2023, 09:50:26 pm
content: Check Owon HDS2102, 186 EUR. If that is too much then you can get 40 MHz model HDS242 for 116 EUR. Oh, and you will get multimeter as well

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2023, 10:32:37 pm
content: Quote from: SayaR on March 13, 2023, 09:42:00 pm"AC 120V" and "power supply AC to DC" implies mains.At that point you have to be veryverycareful not to attach a probe shield to an "inappropriate" point. If you do then there may be bangs and other noises, smells, and screaming. Best way of reducing the chance of that is to use an HV differential probem but they aren't cheap. FFI see the safety references inhttps://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/library-2/scope-probe-reference-material/Apart from that, the other technologies you could use are:ESP: cheap logic analyser and printf() statementsPSU measurements: multimeterDuty cycle: a cheap analogue multimeter or digital multimeter and an RC low pass filter.

author: SayaR
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 13, 2023, 10:40:51 pm
content: Quote from: ogden on March 13, 2023, 09:50:26 pmPrice actually alright, I check out early about it as well but saw some people says they changed the chip being used there, is it still worth to get it? Also compare HDS2102 to HDS2202S, is it worth to pay bit extra to get higher bandwidth (100 vs 200 Mhz) and signal generator in case if I ever want to try out?

author: SayaR
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 13, 2023, 10:45:08 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on March 13, 2023, 10:32:37 pmYes, one of the reason I think get battery power one is "isolated" from the ground, I guess that should help with "inappropriate" point? (also battery power one is portable and easy for me to use it outside as well)I did have like 5 multi-meters with different feature and function, but I really want to see the ripple and voltage waveform to learn more about home PSU in general, so I think is time to get a proper oscilloscope

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2023, 11:05:55 pm
content: You absolutely should not rely on battery power isolating the scope so you can measure high voltage, not unless it's an instrument intended specifically for that purpose like a Scopemeter. Battery power is a niche feature that greatly limits your available options.

author: Damianos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2023, 08:00:59 am
content: Usually, if not always, oscilloscopes are measuring voltage but you want to measure current! It is needed to use something to convert it. At 100MHz it will be very expensive...A battery powered device is also a handheld radio; do you want to try to connect it's antenna to the mains?Always check carefully the specifications.Even a multimeter has limitations on the insulation, it cannot be "infinitely" floated.As usertggzzzsaid, you may don't need an oscilloscope.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2023, 08:29:43 am
content: Quote from: SayaR on March 13, 2023, 10:45:08 pmNo. Absolutely not.Read the references I mentioned.QuotePast tense? You are a beginnerPoking around high energy systems (e.g. mains, lead acid batteries, and more) brings many opportunities for "learning experiences".

author: shapirus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2023, 11:47:33 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on March 14, 2023, 08:29:43 amTelling this without further explanation is not going to be helpful and can have quite an opposite effect.The proper way of doing this is to make it clear that the dangers fall into two classes:1) Danger for the scope (and DUT);2) Danger for the operator.Making the scope floating by either powering it from batteries or via an isolation transformer makes it safe to probe mains voltagesonly for the scope(provided that the allowed input levels aren't exceeded).But it does not make it safe for the operator and even makes it more dangerous.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2023, 01:21:32 pm
content: Quote from: shapirus on March 14, 2023, 11:47:33 amA poor summary of well-reasoned and well-presented information ismore likelyto lead to bad or disastrous results.Plus it would be a waste of my time.