Measuring uncertainty spec for an oscilloscope?

[superstrings]

I just started learning about oscilloscopes and I am confused on how to calculate the uncertainty. The uncertainty measurement on the device says '1/2 the smallest division'.

I am unsure which 'division' this refers to since there are horizontal scales and vertical scales.
In my experiment I had the vertical scale set to 2 volts per div, so would the uncertainty then be 1 volt?

 

[Asymptotic]

What is the scope manufacturer and model number?
Reading the manual comes in handy when seeking answers to such questions.

 

[Borek]

My bet is you can assume the time base (produced by the oscilloscope, horizontal axis when measuring one channel only) to be sure (or its accuracy will be listed separately in the manual), and the uncertainty is related only to the signal.

This can get more complicated when doing two channel measurements.

 

[Baluncore]

I am unsure which 'division' this refers to since there are horizontal scales and vertical scales.
In my experiment I had the vertical scale set to 2 volts per div, so would the uncertainty then be 1 volt?

Older CRT oscilloscopes were calibrated with approximately one centimetre squares. Each of those was called a division. Those divisions were divided again by 10 to give approx 1 mm sub-divisions.

An error of half a subdivision means ±5% of the setting. So on the 2V/div range, the error is ±0.1 V.

There is usually a calibration signal test point on the CRO. Maybe a square-wave 1kHz, 0.1Vpp. Look at that to identify the calibration used for voltage and time.

 

[berkeman]

Older CRT oscilloscopes were calibrated with approximately one centimetre squares. Each of those was called a division. Those divisions were divided again by 10

In think that 5 minor divisions per centimeter is more common now. So that's what I'd guess the specification the OP is referring to means (although as pointed out, it would be good to have a link to the manual/datasheet the OP is referring to).

http://www.hobbyprojects.com/oscilloscope_tutorial/images/display_of_oscilloscope.gif