pico Technology PicoScope User manual

PicoScope USB Oscilloscope
QUICK START GUIDE

Quick Start Guide PicoScope USB Oscilloscope
4 Copyright © 2006-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. DO231-1
Issue record:
1) 25.07.13 Created from DO115. Reformatted for small scopes.
2) 30.09.13 Translated document complete.
Pico Technology
James House
Colmworth Business Park
ST. NEOTS
Cambridgeshire
PE19 8YP
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: www.picotech.com
Email: [email protected]

Quick Start Guide PicoScope USB Oscilloscope
DO231-1 Copyright © 2006-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. 5
Contents
1 English................................................................................................................ 9
1.1 Introduction.................................................................................9
1.2 Safety information.......................................................................9
1.3 Contents.................................................................................... 12
1.4 System requirements ................................................................. 12
1.5 Installing the PicoScope software .............................................. 13
1.6 Free newsletter.......................................................................... 14
1.7 Software updates and replacement...........................................14
1.8 Writing your own software........................................................ 14
1.9 Input connections......................................................................14
1.10 Specifications ............................................................................14
1.11 Technical support...................................................................... 14

Quick Start Guide PicoScope USB Oscilloscope
DO231-1 Copyright © 2006-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. 9
1 English
1.1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a Pico Technology PC Oscilloscope. This guide explains how
to install the software, including the product manual, from the disc supplied.
Once you have nished the basic installation, the User’s Guide and Data Sheet will
provide further information about setting up and using the oscilloscope.
1.2 Safety information
To prevent possible electrical shock, re, personal injury, or product damage, carefully
read this safety information before using the product. In addition, follow all generally
accepted safety practices and procedures for working with and around electricity.
The product has been designed and tested in accordance with the European standard
publication EN 61010-1:2010, and left the factory in a safe condition. The following
safety descriptions are found throughout this guide:
A WARNING identies conditions or practices that could result in injury or death.
A CAUTION identies conditions or practices that could result in damage to the
product or equipment to which it is connected.
Symbols
These safety and electrical symbols may appear on the product or in this guide.
Symbols Description
Direct current.
Alternating current.
Chassis ground terminal. This symbol is now used in place of the
equipotential symbol which may appear on older products.
Equipment protected throughout by double insulation or
reinforced insulation.
Possibility of electric shock.
Caution.
Static awareness. Static discharge can damage parts.
EN61010 measurement category.
Do not dispose of this product as unsorted municipal waste.

Quick Start Guide PicoScope USB Oscilloscope
10 Copyright © 2006-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. DO231-1
Maximum input ranges
Observe all terminal ratings and warnings marked on the product.
WARNING
To prevent electric shock, operate within the safe input range for your scope,
which can be found in the User’s Guide.
WARNING
To prevent electric shock, take all necessary safety precautions when
working on equipment where voltages above the specied input range may
be present. Although the front-panel BNC inputs of the oscilloscope are
designed to withstand accidental overloads, contact with voltages outside of
the specied measuring range presents a risk of electric shock.
WARNING
To prevent injury or death, the oscilloscope must not be directly connected to
the mains (line power). To measure mains voltages, use a dierential
isolating probe specically rated for mains use, such as the TA041 listed on
the Pico website.
CAUTION
Operation outside of the safe input range is likely to cause permanent
damage to the oscilloscope and other connected equipment.
Grounding
WARNING
The scope’s ground connection through the USB cable is for measurement
purposes only. The oscilloscope does not have a protective safety ground.
WARNING
Never connect the ground input (chassis) to any electrical power source. To
prevent personal injury or death, use a voltmeter to check that there is no
signicant AC or DC voltage between the oscilloscope ground and the point to
which you intend to connect it.
CAUTION
Applying a voltage to the ground input is likely to cause permanent damage
to the oscilloscope, the attached computer, and other equipment.
CAUTION
To prevent measurement errors caused by poor grounding, always use the
high-quality blue USB cable supplied with the oscilloscope.

Quick Start Guide PicoScope USB Oscilloscope
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External connections
WARNING
To prevent injury or death, use only the power cord and adaptor supplied
with the product. These are approved for the voltage and plug conguration
in your country. Note that not all oscilloscopes require a power cord.
Environment
WARNING
To prevent injury or death, do not use in wet or damp conditions, or around
explosive gas or vapor.
CAUTION
To prevent damage, always use and store your oscilloscope in appropriate
environments. Further information on temperature and humidity
specications for both the storage and usage of the oscilloscope can be found
in the User’s Guide.
Care of the product
The product contains no user-serviceable parts. Repair, servicing and calibration
require specialized test equipment and must only be performed by Pico Technology or
an approved service provider. There may be a charge for these services unless covered
by the Pico ve year warranty.
WARNING
To prevent injury or death, do not use the product if it appears to be
damaged in any way, and stop use immediately if you are concerned by any
abnormal operations.
CAUTION
Do not tamper with or disassemble the oscilloscope, connectors or
accessories. Internal damage will aect performance.
CAUTION
Do not block any of the instrument’s air vents as overheating will cause
damage to the oscilloscope.
CAUTION
When cleaning the oscilloscope, use a soft cloth and a solution of mild soap
or detergent in water. Do not allow water to enter the oscilloscope casing, as
this will cause damage to the electronics inside.

Quick Start Guide PicoScope USB Oscilloscope
12 Copyright © 2006-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. DO231-1
1.3 Contents
Please check that your PicoScope PC Oscilloscope package contains:
• PicoScope PC Oscilloscope
• USB cable
• Pico software disc
• Quick Start Guide
Some product packs and scope bundles may contain additional items. See the
User’s Guide for a full contents list.
1.4 System requirements
To ensure that PicoScope operates correctly, you must have a computer with at least
the minimum system requirements, as shown in the following table. The performance
of the PicoScope software will improve with a more powerful PC, and will benet from
a multi–core processor.
Item Minimum specication Recommended specication
Operating system Windows XP (SP3), Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.
32– or 64–bit (not Windows RT).
Processor 300 MHz 1 GHz
Memory 256 MB 512 MB
Free disk space* 1 GB 2 GB
Ports USB 1.1 port USB 2.0/3.0 port**
* The PicoScope software does not use all the disk space specied in the table. The
free space is required to make Windows run eciently.
** Oscilloscopes which use USB 3.0 may not achieve the maximum specications
when plugged in to a USB 2.0 port.

Quick Start Guide PicoScope USB Oscilloscope
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Please check that your PicoScope PC Oscilloscope package contains:
•
• USB cable
•
•
Some product packs and scope bundles may contain additional items. See the
the minimum system requirements, as shown in the following table. The performance
of the PicoScope software will improve with a more powerful PC, and will benet from
Minimum specication Recommended specication
32– or 64–bit (not Windows RT).
300 MHz 1 GHz
256 MB 512 MB
1 GB 2 GB
USB 1.1 port USB 2.0/3.0 port**
* The PicoScope software does not use all the disk space specied in the table. The
free space is required to make Windows run eciently.
Oscilloscopes which use USB 3.0 may not achieve the maximum specications
when plugged in to a USB 2.0 port.
1.5 Installing the PicoScope software
1. Insert the Pico software disc into your CD drive. It should start
automatically, but if it does not simply go to My Computer and select
the Pico CD.
2. Select the appropriate language.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the PicoScope software. Do not connect
the oscilloscope until the installation is complete.
4. If your oscilloscope is mains powered, connect the mains lead (line cord) to the
mains adaptor, and plug it into a mains power socket. Then connect the DC power
lead to the back of the oscilloscope, and switch on the mains power.
5. Connect the oscilloscope to your PC using the USB cable supplied. See the
connection diagram below for more information.
6. Follow the instructions in the Windows New Hardware Found wizard, which will
run automatically. If the wizard asks to connect to Windows Update, select No.
7. The New Hardware Found wizard may run twice. If this happens, repeat the
previous step.
8. Select PicoScope 6 from the Windows Start menu.
9. If the oscilloscope has a probe connected, touching the probe tip with a nger
should show a small 50 Hz or 60 Hz signal in the oscilloscope window.
1. PicoScope PC
Oscilloscope
2. Oscilloscope
USB port
3. Pico Technology
USB cable
4. PC
5. PC USB port
6. DC power lead
(if supplied)
Stop!
Do not connect the oscilloscope until the software has been successfully installed.

Quick Start Guide PicoScope USB Oscilloscope
14 Copyright © 2006-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. DO231-1
1.6 Free newsletter
Pico Technology sends out a free monthly newsletter by email. This gives news of
product launches, software upgrades and application notes, as well as hints and
advice. We treat your email details as condential and will not pass them on to any
third parties. To subscribe visit:
www.picotech.com/newsletter/
1.7 Software updates and replacement
The latest versions of all Pico software and manuals can be downloaded free of
charge at:
www.picotech.com
If you require a new software disc, please contact Pico Technology or your distributor.
There may be a small charge for this service.
1.8 Writing your own software
The software disc contains all the manuals and drivers you will need to develop your
own custom programs easily. Follow section 1.5 to install.
1.9 Input connections
The product manual installed with the software contains complete descriptions of input
connections. Follow section 1.5 to install the software and the manual.
1.10 Specifications
The User’s Guide and Data Sheet contain the latest specications for your PicoScope
PC Oscilloscope. We recommend that you print a copy of the specication table and
keep it for easy reference.
1.11 Technical support
Regularly updated technical support information can be found at the Pico Technology
technical support website and users’ forum here:
www.picotech.com/support/

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