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Tips for motorists

Types of oscilloscopes for car diagnostics

26.05.2022 /

An automobile oscilloscope is a device designed for visual observation of processes occurring in automobile electrical circuits, including a high-voltage system. The main differences between an automobile oscilloscope and an oscilloscope for general laboratory use are:

  • the presence of special settings provided by the software, which make it possible to work with automotive electronic systems as convenient as possible;
  • the presence of special sensors - primarily for working with the high-voltage part of the ignition system.

Car Oscilloscope Types

Oscilloscopes for cars can be analog or digital:

  • Analog Oscilloscope: works directly with the magnitude of the signal. In order to be plotted, a periodic signal is required, if not only representing a point. Analog oscilloscopes are ideally used when they want to observe signal changes in real time.
  • Digital oscilloscope: Converts the analog input signal to digital and presents it in graphical form. Ideal for announcing one-time signals that are not repeated, like voltage peaks.
  • Digital Phosphorus Oscilloscope: Combines the functions of an oscilloscope, analog and digital.

What can I check with an oscilloscope?

With this device you can check all kinds of electrical signals from various parts of the car. Some of the most common applications of the oscilloscope are described below:

  • Fuel system. Checking fuel injectors; check for operability of temperature sensors; as well as checking the mass air flow sensor, the position of the throttle valve in the carburetor, the oxygen sensor and so on.
  • Charging and power system. Checking the battery charging system; checking the operation of the generator.
  • Ignition system Determination of ignition timing, diagnostics of sensors of the ignition system, determination of malfunctions of the ignition coil, determination of the state of high-voltage spark plug wires and candles.
  • Gas distribution system. Checking the correct installation of the timing belt, evaluating the relative compression of the cylinders when starting with the starter, evaluating the compression in the running engine and in the scroll mode, and also checking the operation of the valves.

Conclusion

Thanks to the oscilloscope, you can analyze all the signals of absolutely any circuit of the car, based on the information, draw conclusions about the breakdown and how to fix it.

Questions and answers:

What is an automotive oscilloscope? This is an electrical device that determines the response time, the amplitude of the electrical signal of all kinds of sensors and other electronic equipment in the car.

What can you check with an oscilloscope? In fact, this is the same voltmeter, only it measures not only the voltage, but its behavior during the operation of certain equipment. With its help, all electrical equipment of the car is checked.

КHow to choose an oscilloscope? The digital type has the advantage. Often such models are also equipped with an analyzer. It is convenient to use USB oscilloscopes (you can work from a laptop).

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