How Should I Properly Shut Down My Rigol 1054Z Oscilloscope?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mishima
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Oscilloscope
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the proper shutdown procedure for the Rigol 1054Z oscilloscope. Participants explore whether there are specific steps to follow when powering down the device, reflecting on experiences with both digital and analog oscilloscopes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the correct way to power down the oscilloscope, feeling awkward about simply using the power button.
  • Another participant suggests checking the manufacturer's webpage, implying that a smart oscilloscope might have an internal shutdown procedure.
  • A participant confirms the power button is a push button and mentions finding the user’s guide.
  • Some participants assert that no special shutdown procedure is necessary, contrasting this with practices for older HAM rigs that require specific power-up and power-down sequences.
  • One participant shares historical context about analog scopes, emphasizing the importance of turning down the intensity to prevent damage to the screen, introducing the concept of "writing speed" and its implications for beam current.
  • Another participant notes that many older scopes had their power switches integrated with the intensity control, reinforcing the habit of considering writing speed when powering on or off.
  • There is a mention of a potential hack to increase the oscilloscope's bandwidth to 100 MHz, with participants discussing the legality and implications of such modifications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that no special shutdown procedure is required for the Rigol 1054Z, though there are differing views on the practices associated with older analog scopes and the relevance of writing speed. The discussion about the hack to increase bandwidth remains unresolved, with uncertainty about its legality.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference historical practices related to analog oscilloscopes, which may not apply directly to modern digital models like the Rigol 1054Z. The discussion includes assumptions about the functionality of the oscilloscope and the implications of modifying its specifications.

mishima
Messages
576
Reaction score
43
I recently purchased my first oscilloscope, a Rigol 1054Z. I have been using it for a few days with one of ARRL's educational boards and always feel awkward when I simply power it off after use. It didn't come with much of a manual and I was just wondering if there is a better way to power it down than just hitting the power button. Maybe a silly question, it just feels a bit like an egg in my hands, I suppose.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Look at the producer webpage.
If it is a smart oscilloscope it must have a proper shutdown internal procedure already implemented. The power on-off button is a switch or a push button?
 
Push button, and thanks, found the actual user's guide.
 
Yeah, just shut it off -- no special shutdown procedure needed.

You're probably used to dealing with HAM rigs that have a big 12V output power supply that feeds a 12V input radio. Then, there is a sequence to power-up and power-down... :smile:
 
In days of analog scopes it was always prudent to turn down the intensity.
Before embedded computers it was possible to burn the phosphor off the inside of the screen by powering up with sweep sped set slow and intensity high.

There's a concept named "Writing Speed"
in the time it takes dot to go across the screen, how many electrons have hit the screen ? Enough to hurt it ?
Remember current is Coulombs per second.
At sweep speed of 1 msec/cm, a second's worth of beam current illuminates 10 meters worth of screen
At sweep speed of 1 sec/cm, a second's worth of beam current illuminates only 1 cm of screen. The phosphors don't get to cool off between sweeps.
That's writing speed, how many cm per second of trace are to be lit. Obviously low writing speed requires less current in the electron beam that makes the dot..

So we were taught to form the habit of setting intensity knob all the way down when shutting off the scope.
Many Tektronix scopes had their power switch on the intensity knob like a radio volume control, forcing you to think about writing speed when you turned the scope on..
 
Last edited:
jim hardy said:
Many Tektronix scopes had their power switch on the intensity knob like a radio volume control, forcing you to think about writing speed when you turned the scope on..
My old Heathkit scopes do this as well. Looks like a lot of these have their power switches as part of the intensity control also.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jim hardy
Mishima - I was looking at that one - are you considering the hack to get it up to 100mHz ?
 
Yes, but I'm not sure of the legality of that.
 
Windadct said:
are you considering the hack to get it up to 100mHz ?
mishima said:
Yes, but I'm not sure of the legality of that.
Don't worry. 100 milliHertz is only one cycle every 10 seconds. You won't get in trouble for limiting your oscilloscope to that sampling frequency. :wink:
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Windadct, mishima and dlgoff

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
Replies
19
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
920
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K