Turning oscilloscope off by removing AC power plug - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: aussie_laser_dude
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2020, 12:51:56 am
content: My Tektronix analogue scope has a broken power switch, it's always on.Will I break her by pulling out the power cable when switching off?

author: jord4231
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2020, 12:55:39 am
content: For an analogue scope I'd say that would be fine, there is no software to shut down etc

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2020, 12:59:57 am
content: It won't hurt anything, but why not fix or replace the power switch? As far as I know that's not a high failure item so there should be some floating around somewhere.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2020, 02:01:03 am
content: In the meantime consider to get a decent cheap power strip/board with a power switch,plug the Tek into that, and you're done

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2020, 05:13:24 am
content: Here is a source. Scroll down about a third of the page where switches start off.https://www.smcelectronics.com/tekpart.htm

author: Miti
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2020, 11:22:58 am
content: Quote from: jord4231 on April 19, 2020, 12:55:39 amRigol DS1054z does have software but the power button simply cuts the juice, it doesn’t do SW shut down .

author: jord4231
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2020, 11:39:26 am
content: Quote from: Miti on April 19, 2020, 11:22:58 amYes your right. out of all the digital scopes I have the only one that shuts down is a micsig on I have.

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2020, 11:50:51 am
content: Pulling the plug is not ideal, as there will be sparking. Which might create some line noise back into mains. And ruins contacts.A switchable extension cord is a much better solution (but still not ideal, as the cheap ones don't have line filtering).

author: aqibi2000
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2020, 01:06:46 pm
content: Analogue scopes use double pole switches for isolating both lines. You can just buy a cheap RCD plug socket, they offer double pole galvanic isolation when turned off.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 12:09:29 am
content: You can get a 4 or 6 way power board with a single/master 2 pole switch for cheap,if you don't want to go the separate socket and switches style boardEven a single pole switch is better than sparks and arcing you don't needI doubt those overpriced overhyped 'Surge Protected' boards will do much for your gear if they cop a real hitand using an RCD TEST button for turn off may trip the RCD at the main switchboard too occasionally/randomly. How do I know this?But yeah, source a Tek switch (or two!) as well, and have a go at fitting it when you're ready,or next time opening the scope for other reasons or give it some TLCfwiw even if you don't fix it and sell the Tek later, the buyer will go for it with less hesitation if a switch is supplied

author: jdragoset
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 02:31:03 am
content: What scope model?Maybe someone close by has a parts mule or two can offer a replacement.If not, just wire in an on-off switch into the power cord.https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-250V-Extension-Power-Cord-IEC-320-C13-to-C14-with-On-Off-switch/153618511791?hash=item23c46077af:g:I04AAOSwbShbLh-f&shqty=1&isGTR=1#shId

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 07:59:11 pm
content: Internally the oscilloscope's power switch interrupts the AC line input anyway so the result is the same.