Referring to an oscilloscope. The two “channels” for the vertical (voltage) disp

Question

Referring to an oscilloscope. The two “channels” for the vertical (voltage) display both have their own both calibrated “click settings” (the outer gray knobs) and a variable gain (inner red) knob. Usually you want the vertical gain set to a calibrated setting; that is, a fixed rather than variable gain! Find these knobs and play with them. When done playing, return them to their calibrated positions, which requires that each red knob be turned clockwise until it “clicks”. The “time base” also has a “click setting” knob (the large gray one) and a variable knob called “var sweep” (the smaller gray knob above and to the left of the large gray one). To have the time base correspond to the “calibrated” time settings on the big gray knob, turn the small “var sweep” knob full clockwise. The “variable” knobs must be there for a reason.

Question: Why would you want to move the variable knobs off their “calibrated” positions? The red variable knob(s) for voltage measurements? The small gray “var sweep” knob for the time base?

Explanation / Answer

Variable voltage knob is used to adjust the peak to peak waveform between an exact number of divisions so that its amplitude and phase can be compared with some other wave form.

Variable sweep is used to compare the time periods of multiple waveforms by adjusting them between an exact number of divisions.

For the above reasons, the varible knobs are kept off from their calibrated positions

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