Learning on an older 2 chan 20 MHz analog scope (of questionable condition), using mostly for automotive t-shooting
Shouldn't I be able to use the Normal trigger setting to get a steady signal off a 12 V battery? I can get a brief glimmer as I rotate the trigger level, but can't maintain the trace
No problem/steady trace using the Auto trigger
Thank you, Lance
Use normal trigger for a low speed signal (less than approxiamately 60 hz). Auto trigger will sweep after every sweep. Normal will only sweep when it is triggered (by the input signal). When you apply dc voltage to the input and turn the level control, the scope will sweep whenever the level control (being turned by you) crosses the level of the dc voltage applied. That last sentence was a mouthful ! Hope you understand.
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*************************************************** "We ought always to know precisely why a given job is done in a particular way, and why it is done at all, and why it can't be done more efficiently, if it must be done at all."-- T.J.Watson***************************************************
No, you're seeing exactly the right thing.
Normal trigger waits for a trigger event to start a sweep.
Automatic trigger will wait for a trigger event only a certain amount of time, which depends on the sweep speed. If no trigger event arrives within this time period, the sweep will trigger "automatically" and then start the waiting period again.
Since you're watching a DC signal there is no trigger event so under Normal Trigger it will just wait forever, and you see nothing.
Both modes have their useful moments, but it's important to understand the difference between them.
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