Automatic triggering, while convenient, may not always provide the level of precision engineers require. In contrast, normal triggering empowers engineers to specify the exact point at which they want to capture a waveform, offering a level of control and accuracy that can be crucial when troubleshooting problems. For instance, if you need to capture a specific pulse, normal triggering allows you to specify the precise time the pulse occurs. When you switch to the Single trigger mode, your oscilloscope will temporarily operate in normal trigger mode to prevent an automatic force trigger.
In normal mode, the sweep starts only when the trigger settings are met. If the trigger is not met, the screen is not updated. This can be useful when capturing a transient event that may only happen once.
In auto mode, the sweep is triggered automatically and continuously.
In single mode, the sweep only occurs when the trigger is activated manually. This can be useful when you want to capture a particular single trigger event or signal condition.
Learn more about the applications and examples of when to use each mode from this deep dive lesson video.