Oscilloscope model that measures DC voltage - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Voxman
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2021, 08:10:31 pm
content: Hello Everyone,I’ve been using a Sencore SC61 that seems to have the unique ability to measure and display the DC voltage on an LCD display above the main scope screen.I recently bought a SIGLENT 1202X-E which I’m finding out is WAY beyond my everyday needs to service relic audio amps. Unless I’m mistaken I haven’t found the way to get a digital readout of the DC voltage on the circuit where the probe is connected. The Sencore did this easily with a touch of a button to select either Frequency, Peak-Peak, or DC. I really miss that functionality and never really considered that the newer scopes like the SIGLENT would not have that function. I realize now that Sencore intergrated that function to help speed up the troubleshooting efforts so the tech could use just one probe for multiple measurements.So I’m still having to use the old Sencore but since it takes up so much space I wanted a small digital scope.Does anyone know of a scope currently being offered for sale that measures the DC voltage similar in fashion to the Sencore?Thinking I’d sell the SIGLENT to get something less sophisticated as I don’t need about 90% of the functionality features in this scope. Live and Learn!ThanksGary

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2021, 08:37:00 pm
content: Have you tried the Measure button along with the instructions on page 131 of the User Manual?https://siglentna.com/USA_website_2014/Documents/UserManual/SDS1000X&Xplus_UserManual_UM0101X-E02A.pdfYou get to pick which 5 values are displayed at the bottom of the screen with the Universal rotary selector. I think they are all listed in the selection screen in the User Manual page 131. You might Mean voltage as it may be more representative of the DC value.You could also pick the All Measure option and that will just about fill the screen with numbers.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2021, 12:44:10 am
content: Quote from: Voxman on April 02, 2021, 08:10:31 pmSDS1202X-E is one of Siglent's less complex models and can certainly display voltages and several different types.Follow rstofer's advice using the Measurement menu and select a channel to associate any measurement with.Probably Vmax will to you liking as it only displays the value above the channel's 0V level.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2021, 01:51:18 am
content: I'd think that all reasonably modern digital oscilloscopes can show multiple values on screen, but they typically just have a single LCD to show all data. Havin a secondary LCD to show measurement data is very uncommon.A lot of scopes also have serial / GPIB / Ethernet and you could use that to connect some external box and use SCIPI commands to pull out some measurements of your scope and show them on a secondary display.

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2021, 02:34:36 am
content: You would be wise to have a voltmeter separate from the oscilloscope. Even the best scopes don't measure very accurately, but all except the simplest will measure voltage. That is what the vertical sensitivity switch is for.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2021, 11:45:09 am
content: Quote from: bob91343 on April 03, 2021, 02:34:36 amHis Sencore SC61 makes a 0.5% 2000 count voltage measurement which is comparable to a similar multimeter. Tektronix made several oscilloscopes like the 2236 and 2247A series with similar capability provided by a built in multimeter tied to the vertical inputs. It is modern DSOs which fall short in this area with exceptions like the Fluke Scopemeter series.

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2021, 08:08:13 pm
content: Those models are little more than an added on DVM to an oscilloscope. That makes the scope bigger and more expensive than just a scope and a DVM. I used to think I wanted one of those combo units but changed my mind when I realized the limitations.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2021, 10:42:10 pm
content: Quote from: bob91343 on April 03, 2021, 08:08:13 pmIt does not have to be just a DVM added to an oscilloscope. Some allow the DVM measurement to be gated by the B-sweep achieving something that neither an oscilloscope nor DVM can do alone albeit usually with less accuracy so a DSO would be better.

author: fordem
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2021, 01:47:33 am
content: Quote from: Voxman on April 02, 2021, 08:10:31 pmAny of the Fluke ScopeMeters will do it - they also have the advantage of being battery operated, portable, and isolated (or floating ground), the disadvantage is price.

author: Voxman
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2021, 01:50:28 am
content: Thanks everyone who has posted so far. I’ve been very busy with a family situation and haven’t had a chance to check the replies. I will try the suggestions offered by members. I knew about the measurements menu but after looking I didn’t see anything that would suggest the value would be a DC voltage...but I’ll give it a try and see what it comes up with. On the topic of the SC 61 measuring the DC voltage accuracy, I’ve never found it to be an issue when checking with my Beckman 360 multimeter or Fluke 77 multimeter.Anyways, I’ll report back when I’ve tried some of the suggestions offered.Thanks for the input!Gary