Should I buy a regulated DC PSU and a oscilloscope? If yes, Which one? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: isitayush
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 02, 2024, 03:42:55 pm
content: Hi Everyone! I'm a software engineer trying to understand and build electronics. Since last couple of weeks, I started reading a book and I really like it. I understand most of it, at least the chapter that I've covered which is foundations (resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, RC circuits etc.). I'd like to experiment and play with the components to get a deeper intuition of how electricity behaves with each of these components before I proceed with the next chapter that builds on top on these basic foundations. When I look up regulated DC power supply units and oscilloscopes, I get so many results and I don't know which one would be right and I'm also worrying this might be too early to invest a decent amount of money but I also think without experimentation, It would be very hard to proceed with next chapters since imagination and maths is the only thing I would be relying upon.After doing a bit of research, I think 0-30V and 0-5A would be the basic starting point for me. I'm not really sure about what to look for in the scope but I would like to be able to measure multiple signals with precision and overlay them on top of each other. I don't want both to be very expensive and something that can get me started into this world would be welcoming. I also reside in India and most of the supplies I looked up were not available for shipping to my location.- I found [Kunberg DC regulated power supply 30V 10A][https://amzn.in/d/06zYrVRc] that is available for shipping but it's expensive.- I found [Rigol DS1054Z 4Ch][https://amzn.in/d/0b3BZp3m] scope and it's available for shipping but it's expensive.Let me know if I should get these helpful tools and if there are better & cheaper options available that I can go for. Thank you for helping.

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2024, 05:42:12 pm
content: I have no idea what is available locally in India.I would recommend an older triple output PS that is linear, not switching, that is if it is cheaper than new in your area (save some money). Lots of components like op amps use pos and neg supplies and the third supply is for TTL, transistor logic chips. If they have only analog meters you can always verify with a good Multimeter which I think is the first thing you should buy.I do not have any new scopes, so I am unable to make an informed comment except to say that the newer digital scopes seem to have the capabilities of the older top of the line digital scopes at MUCH less cost.My newest scope is an Agilent 54815, 20yrs old.

author: xvr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2024, 06:10:37 pm
content: QuoteFor basic circuits you can use LTSpice - it will replace both PSU and neverending-in-channels oscilloscope.If you really need physical oscilloscope you can buy small handheld version from Aliexpress. They available under 50 euro.

author: wasedadoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2024, 06:19:26 pm
content: If you are really at the beginner stage I suggest:1. A single output DC supply. There are many "wall wart" AC to DC adapters that will supply 1 Amp or more at switched voltages between 3 and 12.2. A plug in type breadboard.3. A $10 digital multimeter.4. A Zeeweii DSO154 Pro single channel oscilloscope. (version with x1/x10 probe and battery). Or the dual channel Zeeweii DSO3d12, in which case you don't need to buy a separate DMM.5. A pack of assorted value resistors.6. A pack of assorted electrolytic capacitors.7. A pack of assorted non electrolytic capacitors.8. A pack of small signal NPN transistors.9. A pack of small signal PNP transistors.10. A pack of assorted diodes.By the time you have exhausted the things you can do with that you will have learned a great deal which will stand you in good stead if/when you decide to move on to ICs. Even if you outgrow the test equipment you will still find the scope and DMM useful additions to whatever you upgrade to.

author: isitayush
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 03, 2024, 10:26:17 am
content: Thank you for helping! I'll hold off the oscilloscope for now because I found that I can simulate the circuit using ngspice and KiCad. There are local supplies available but I have no idea if they're good or not. I'll surely look for one that's triple output so If I need to build something off my KiCad simulations, I can do it!

author: isitayush
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 03, 2024, 10:40:14 am
content: I currently have a 9V battery array made up of 6; 1.5V AA cells. I do have a breadboard, a resistor kit, a cheap digital manual multimeter (Haoyue DT830D), a huge pack 100 resistors of pretty much all values (5 of each value), 10 polarized capacitors and 1 ceramic capacitor, 10 diodes (1N4007S HB), 1 MOSFET (IRFZ44N) and 5 BJT (BC547B). I just don't have a scope but I think I'll hold it off because I can simulate the circuit in ngspice and KiCad to achieve the same. Thank you for helping!

author: isitayush
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 03, 2024, 10:41:57 am
content: Thank you! I'm going to simulate the circuits in KiCad with ngspice for now. I can't get items from AliExpress because most merchants don't ship here.

author: Old Printer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2024, 12:09:56 pm
content: It seems your problem is more availability than anything else, so I have no idea how practical this suggestion is... If you can find an older version of an Analog Discovery, the one in the black case, that will give you enough learning tools to keep you busy for a long time. They were sold to EE students for under a hundred dollars US for many years and they pop up on ebay from time to time very cheap. Some very slight improvements were made and the case redesigned a number of years ago and the price was quadrupled, but the original unit is still 90% as capable as the high priced ones. Five amps for a power supply for learning jelly bean component circuits is way overkill and only runs the cost up. For what you are doing an amp is plenty.