Solution to Assignment 7 FM : 16

Multimeter
1. How to measure the ripple factor of a full-wave rectifier using digital multimeter ? (3)

AC electricity has a sinusoidal dependence with time, and the voltage oscillates up and down. A
ripple voltage is a small AC voltage, which is placed on top of a DC offset. It can be measured
using a digital multimeter.

Plug the probes into the digital multimeter. Two probes are normally supplied. Plug the red
probe into the positive terminal and the black probe into the negative terminal. Switch on the
digital multimeter by turning the dial on the front panel clockwise.

Select the "AC Voltage" by turning the dial on the front to the picture of an oscillatory wave.
Bring the probes into contact with the circuit that has the ripple voltage. The multimeter will
only measure the AC component of the signal -- i.e., the ripple voltage. The display should
change to indicate the measured value of the ripple voltage amplitude. In order to characterize
a ripple voltage completely, the frequency needs to be measured.

Rotate the front dial to the frequency function. Bring the probes into contact with the circuit
that has the ripple voltage. The frequency (in Hz) will be displayed on the multimeter. The
rippled voltage will now be fully characterized.

2. How to measure the rms and dc value of the output voltage of a full-wave rectifier using digital
multimeter ? (5)

Plug the probes into the digital multimeter. Two probes are normally supplied. Plug the red
probe into the positive terminal and the black probe into the negative terminal. Switch on the
digital multimeter by turning the dial on the front panel clockwise.

rms value of the output voltage

Select the "AC Voltage" by turning the dial on the front to the picture of an oscillatory wave.
Bring the probes into contact with the output of the full wave rectifier circuit. A true
RMS multimeter will read RMS regardless of the waveform (form factor). The display should
change to indicate the measured value of the output voltage.
 dc value of the output voltage
Select the "DC Voltage" by turning the dial on the front to the picture of a dash. Bring the probes
into contact with the output of the full wave rectifier circuit. The display should change to
indicate the measured value of the output voltage.

3. What is the importance of measuring rms value of a signal ? (3)

RMS value of a signal is one of the most important parameters that is used to describe the strength
of an alternating current (ac).

RMS value of an ac voltage/current is equivalent to the dc voltage/current that produces the same
heating effect when applied across an identical resistor. Hence, it is also a measure of energy
content in a given signal.

Considering an alternating current that produces heat in a given resistance at the same average
rate as a direct current (I) has, by definition, a value of I ampere. The average rate of producing
heat by a dc of I ampere in a resistance R is I2R watt. The average rate of producing heat by an ac
of i ampere during one cycle in the same resistance R is

By definition, therefore,

This current, I is then called the root-mean-square (rms) or effective value of the alternating
current and is often referred to as the equivalent dc value.
Oscilloscope
4. How does electron beam deflection work in a CRO ? (5)

Fig 7-1 Block diagram of a general purpose oscilloscope

The heart of the oscilloscope is the cathode ray tube (CRT), which generates the electron
beam, accelerates the beam to a high velocity, deflects the beam to create the image, and
contains the phosphor screen where the electron beam eventually becomes visible. To
accomplish these tasks, various electrical signals and voltages are required, and these
requirements dictate the remainder of the blocks of the oscilloscope outline as shown in
Fig. 7-1.

The power supply block provides the voltages required by the cathode ray tube to
generate and accelerate the electron beam, as well as to supply the required operating
voltages for the other circuits of the oscilloscope. Relatively high voltages are required by
cathode ray tubes, on the order of a few thousand volts, for acceleration, as well as a low
voltage for the heater of the electron gun, which emits the electrons. Supply voltages for
the other circuits are various values, usually not more than a few hundred volts.

The laboratory oscilloscope has a time base which generates the correct voltage to supply
the cathode ray tube to deflect the spot at a constant time dependent rate. The signal to
be viewed is fed to a vertical amplifier, which increases the potential of the input signal to
a level that will provide a usable deflection of the electron beam. To synchronize the
horizontal deflection with the vertical input, such that the horizontal deflection starts at
the same point of the input vertical signal each time it sweeps, a synchronizing or
triggering circuit is used. This circuit is the link between the vertical input and the
horizontal time base.
 Fig 7-2 Internal structure of a CRT

A heated cathode emits electrons, which are accelerated to the first accelerating anode, or the
pre-accelerating anode, through a small hole in the control grid. The amount of cathode current,
which governs the intensity of the spot, can be controlled with the control grid in a manner similar
to a conventional vacuum tube. The pre-accelerating anode is a hollow cylinder that is at a
potential a few hundred volts more positive than the cathode so that the electron beam will be
accelerated in the electric field. A focusing anode is mounted just ahead of the pre-accelerating
anode and is also a cylinder. Following the focusing anode is the accelerating anode, which gives
the electron beam its last addition of energy before its journey to the phosphor screen.

Reference :
Electronic Instrumentation and measuring techniques (3rd edition ) – W D Cooper, A.D. Helfrick.

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