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What Is a Plug-in Vertical Amplifier?

An oscilloscope is an electronic test instrument that displays signals on a small screen. Professional oscilloscopes made before the 1980s consisted of a metal chassis into which modules were plugged; a variety of modules performed specific measurement tasks. Today, one module, called a plug-in vertical amplifier, lets the oscilloscope handle a wide range of signal strengths, from millivolts to hundreds of volts.
  1. Description

    • A plug-in vertical amplifier is a book-sized electronic device designed to be electronically and mechanically compatible with an oscilloscope chassis. The amplifier slides into the chassis and plugs into it electrically via a set of plugs and sockets. The plug-in has an outside panel that has a set of control knobs, switches and connectors. Each oscilloscope manufacturer builds plug-in amplifiers designed to fit its own brand of equipment.

    Purpose

    • A vertical amplifier scales and calibrates incoming signals so they produce an accurate display on the oscilloscope screen. An oscilloscope has two measurement axes: a vertical axis driven by the signal and a horizontal axis driven by an internal sweep oscillator; you adjust the vertical amplifier to compensate for signal strength and the horizontal sweep to accommodate the signal̵7;s frequency. The amplifier̵7;s internal electronics boost weak signals and attenuate strong ones so the signal fits visually on the screen. The circuits have low distortion to allow accurate measurements.

    Controls

    • The amplifier̵7;s main control is a rotary switch marked in volts per division. Turning the knob counter-clockwise increases the amplification for weak signals; turning it clockwise scales down strong signals so they fit on the oscilloscope screen. The amplifier has a continuous rotary knob that lets you adjust the signal̵7;s vertical position up and down on the screen for comfortable viewing and accurate signal measurement. An input jack lets you connect probes, cables and signal-generating equipment to the oscilloscope; traditionally, this is a BNC-type connector. Some plug-ins have a dual-channel capability, taking in signals from two separate sources. For a dual-channel plug-in, each channel has its own input connectors and gain controls.

    Use

    • You must install a vertical plug-in into an oscilloscope chassis for it to work. Once installed, connect a signal source such as an oscillator to the amplifier̵7;s input jack. With the oscilloscope on, adjust the gain rotary control switch until the signal takes up about two-thirds of the screen vertically. To measure the signal, count the number of screen division marks between the greatest positive and negative points on the displayed waveform, then multiply by the volts per division setting on the gain switch. For example, if you count 3.5 divisions and the knob is set to 5 millivolts per division, 3.5 * 5 millivolts equals a 17.5 millivolt input signal.


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