PICO PicoScope 4000 Series User manual

User's Guide
ps4000a.en-9
PC Oscilloscopes
PicoScope®4000 Series

PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide Contents
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Contents
1 Welcome ................................................................................................................... 5
2 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 6
1 Safety information ............................................................................................................................. 6
1 Symbols .................................................................................................................................. 7
2 Product usage ......................................................................................................................... 8
3 Maximum input ranges ........................................................................................................... 9
4 Grounding .............................................................................................................................. 10
5 Environment .......................................................................................................................... 10
6 Care of the instrument ......................................................................................................... 11
2 Conformance .................................................................................................................................... 11
1 FCC notice ............................................................................................................................ 11
2 CE and UKCA notices ........................................................................................................... 11
3 Software license conditions ............................................................................................................ 12
4 Trademarks ...................................................................................................................................... 13
5 Warranty ............................................................................................................................................ 13
3 Product information ................................................................................................. 14
1 Pack contents .................................................................................................................................. 14
2 Optional extras ................................................................................................................................. 14
3 Minimum PC requirements .............................................................................................................. 15
4 Installation instructions ................................................................................................................... 15
5 Connections for the PicoScope 4262 ............................................................................................. 16
6 Connections for the PicoScope 4824A, 4424A and 4224A ............................................................ 17
4 Glossary ................................................................................................................... 18
Index .......................................................................................................................... 19

Welcome
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PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
1 Welcome
Thank you for buying a Pico Technology product!
The PicoScope 4000 Series PC Oscilloscopes from Pico Technology are
a range of compact units designed to replace and outperform traditional
bench-top models costing many times the price. This guide covers all
oscilloscopes in this range.
The following models are available in the PicoScope 4000 Series:
PicoScope 4262
5
MHz 16-bit 2-channel oscilloscope
PicoScope 4224A
20
MHz 12-bit 2-channel oscilloscope
PicoScope 4424A
20
MHz 12-bit 4-channel oscilloscope
PicoScope 4824A
20
MHz 12-bit 8-channel oscilloscope
For detailed specifications on each model see the accompanying data sheet, available to download from
www.picotech.com.
Here are some of the benefits provided by your new PicoScope 4000 Series PC Oscilloscope:
· Portability: Take the unit with you and simply plug it in to any Windows, Mac or Linux PC.
· Performance:
· PicoScope 4262: Industry-leading high-precision low-distortion inputs, 16-bit
resolution.
· PicoScope 4000A: Up to 8 channels, 12-bit resolution, large buffer with up to 256M
samples, fast USB 3.0 interface.
· Flexibility: Use as an oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, high-performance signal generator, or high-
speed data acquisition interface.
· Programmability: The PicoScope 4000 Series API allows you to write your own programs in your
chosen programming language to control all the features of the 4000 Series scopes.
· Long-term support: Software upgrades are available to download from our website. You can also call
our technical specialists for support. You can continue to use both of these services free of charge
for the lifetime of the product.
· Value for money: You don't have to pay twice for all the features that you already have in your PC. The
PicoScope 4000 Series scope unit contains the special hardware you need and nothing more.
· Convenience: The software makes full use of the large display, storage, user interface and networking
built in to your PC.
Programming with the PicoScope 4000 Series
An Application Programming Interface (API) is supplied free of charge with the PicoScope 4000 Series
scopes. You can download and install the correct API and Programmer's Guide for your product from our
website at www.picotech.com/downloads.

Introduction
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PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
2 Introduction
2.1 Safety information
This product has been designed and tested in accordance with the harmonized standard publication
EN 61010-1: 2010+A1:2019 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control and
Laboratory Use) and EN 61010-2-030: 2010 (Requirements for Testing and Measuring Circuits). The
product left the factory in a safe condition.
The following safety descriptions are found throughout this guide:
A WARNING identifies conditions or practices that could result in injury or death.
A CAUTION identifies conditions or practices that could result in damage to the product or equipment to
which it is connected.
Each of these safety instructions applies to all of the 4000 Series oscilloscopes covered by this User's
Guide, unless otherwise specified.

Introduction
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PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
2.1.1 Symbols
These safety and electrical symbols may appear on the product and throughout this guide.
Symbol
Description
Direct current.
Alternating current.
Functional earth terminal.
This terminal is connected to chassis
ground, and allows you to connect the
oscilloscope to an external ground
reference. This terminal is not intended
to provide a protective (safety) ground.
Chassis ground terminal.
The ground terminals of connectors
marked with this symbol are all
connected together, and connected to the
host PC via the screen of the USB cable.
Equipment protected throughout by double
insulation or reinforced insulation.
Possibility of electric shock.
Caution.
Indicates a potential HAZARD: consult
the product documentation every time
you see this symbol, in order to identify
the hazard and any actions needed to
avoid it.
Static awareness. Static discharge can
damage part(s).
IEC 61010 overvoltage category.
Do not dispose of this product as unsorted
municipal waste.

Introduction
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PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
2.1.2 Product usage
WARNING
To prevent injury or death, use the product only as instructed and use only accessories supplied
or recommended. Protection provided by the product may be impaired if used in a manner not
specified by the manufacturer.
WARNING
To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, personal injury, or damage to the product, carefully
read this safety information before attempting to install or use the product. In addition, follow all
generally accepted safety practices and procedures for working with and around electricity.

Introduction
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PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
2.1.3 Maximum input ranges
Observe all terminal ratings and warnings marked on the product.
The table below indicates the full scale measurement range and overload protection range for each
oscilloscope model. The full scale measurement ranges are the maximum voltages that can be
accurately measured by each instrument. The overload protection ranges are the maximum voltages that
can be applied without damaging the oscilloscope.
WARNING
To prevent electric shock, do not attempt to measure voltages outside the specified full scale
measurement range below.
Model
Full scale measurement
range
Overload protection
Input channels / EXT
trigger
Signal generator
PicoScope 4262
±20 V
±50 V pk max.
±10 V pk max.
PicoScope 4224A
±50 V DC / 42.4 V pk max. AC
±100 V pk max.
±10 V pk max.
PicoScope 4424A
PicoScope 4824A
WARNING
Signals exceeding the voltage limits in the table below are defined as "hazardous live" by EN
61010. To prevent electric shock, take all necessary safety precautions when working on
equipment where hazardous live voltages may be present.
Signal voltage limits of EN 61010
±60 V DC
30 V AC RMS
±42.4 V pk max.
WARNING
The PicoScope 4262, PicoScope 4224A, PicoScope 4424A and PicoScope 4824A oscilloscopes
are not designed to measure hazardous live signals as defined by EN 61010. To prevent electric
shock, do not attempt to measure voltages outside of the limits shown in the table above or the
specified full scale measurement range, whichever is lower.
WARNING
To prevent injury or death, the oscilloscope must not be directly connected to the mains (line
power).
CAUTION
Exceeding the overload protection range on any connector can cause permanent damage to the
oscilloscope and other connected equipment.

Introduction
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PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
2.1.4 Grounding
WARNING
The oscilloscope'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 significant 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 USB cable
supplied with the oscilloscope.
2.1.5 Environment
This product is for indoor or outdoor use, in dry locations only.
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.
Storage
Operating
Temperature
–20 °C to +60 °C
0 °C to +45 °C
(+20 to +30 °C for quoted accuracy)
Humidity
5% to 95 %RH
(non-condensing)
5% to 80 %RH
(non-condensing)
Altitude
2000 m
Pollution degree
2
Please contact Pico technical support if you would like any advice on integrating a PicoScope into your
own product or application.

Introduction
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PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
2.1.6 Care of the instrument
The oscilloscope and its accessories contain no user-serviceable parts. Repair and servicing 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 five year warranty.
WARNING
To prevent injury or death, do not use the instrument if it appears to be damaged in any way, and
stop use immediately if you are concerned by any abnormal operations.
WARNING
When cleaning the oscilloscope, use a soft cloth and a solution of mild soap or detergent in
water. To prevent electric shock, do not allow liquids to enter the casing, as this will cause
damage to the electronics or insulation inside.
CAUTION
Do not tamper with or disassemble the oscilloscope, connectors or accessories. Internal
damage will affect performance.
2.2 Conformance
2.2.1 FCC notice
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant
to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his or her own expense.
For safety and maintenance information see the safety information.
2.2.2 CE and UKCA notices
This PicoScope oscilloscope meets the intent of the CE EMC directive 2014/30/EU and UKCA
SI2016/1091 EMC Regulations.
This oscilloscope also meets the intent of the CE Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU and UKCA SI
2016/1101 Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations.
For more information, please refer to your product’s UKCA Declaration of Conformity or EU Declaration
of Conformity, available for download from www.picotech.com.

Introduction
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PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
2.3 Software license conditions
The material contained in this software release is licensed, not sold. Pico Technology Limited grants a
license to the person who installs this software, subject to the conditions listed below.
Access. The licensee agrees to allow access to this software only to persons who have been informed of
these conditions and agree to abide by them.
Usage. The software in this release is for use only with Pico products or with data collected using Pico
products.
Copyright. Pico Technology Ltd. claims the copyright of, and retains the rights to, all material (software,
documents etc.) contained in this release. You may copy and distribute the PicoScope and PicoLog
software and drivers with no modifications, additions or omissions. You may copy and modify the SDK
example programs.
Liability. Pico Technology and its agents shall not be liable for any loss, damage or injury, howsoever
caused, related to the use of Pico Technology equipment or software, unless excluded by statute.
Fitness for purpose. Because no two applications are the same, Pico Technology cannot guarantee that
its equipment or software is suitable for a given application. It is your responsibility, therefore, to ensure
that the product is suitable for your application.
Mission-critical applications. This software is intended for use on a computer that may be running other
software products. For this reason, one of the conditions of the license is that it excludes usage in
mission-critical applications such as life-support systems.
Viruses. This software was continuously monitored for viruses during production, but you are responsible
for virus-checking the software once it is installed.
Support. If you are dissatisfied with the performance of this software, please contact our technical
support staff, who will try to fix the problem within a reasonable time. If you are still dissatisfied, please
return the product and software to your supplier within 14 days of purchase for a full refund.
Upgrades. We provide upgrades, free of charge, from our web site at www.picotech.com. We reserve the
right to charge for updates or replacements sent out on physical media.

Introduction
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PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
2.4 Trademarks
Windows is a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the USA and other countries.
Pico Technology Limited and PicoScope are trademarks of Pico Technology Limited, registered in the
United Kingdom and other countries.
PicoScope and Pico Technology are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
macOS is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Linux is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds, registered in the U.S. and other countries.
2.5 Warranty
Pico Technology warrants upon delivery, and for a period of 5 years unless otherwise stated from the date
of delivery, that the Goods will be free from defects in material and workmanship.
Pico Technology shall not be liable for a breach of the warranty if the defect has been caused by fair wear
and tear, wilful damage, negligence, abnormal working conditions or failure to follow Pico Technology's
spoken or written advice on the storage, installation, commissioning, use or maintenance of the Goods or
(if no advice has been given) good trade practice; or if the Customer alters or repairs such Goods without
the written consent of Pico Technology.

Product information
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PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
3 Product information
3.1 Pack contents
Your PicoScope 4000 Series PC Oscilloscope kit or product pack contains the following items:
Part
Description
PicoScope 4000 Series oscilloscope model number
4262
4224A
4424A
4824A
-
Oscilloscope
1
1
1
1
TA375
Scope probe, 1:1/10:1, 100 MHz
BNC
2
2
4
4
TA155
USB 3.0 cable, 1.8 m
1
1
1
MI106
USB 2.0 cable, 1.8 m
1
DO115
Quick Start Guide
1
1
1
1
PP969
Carry case
1
3.2 Optional extras
For a complete list of optional accessories, please visit www.picotech.com.
Part
Description
TA375
100 MHz 1:1/10:1 switchable passive oscilloscope probe, BNC
TA167
2000 A AC/DC current clamp
PP877
Three-axis accelerometer and oscilloscope interface
TA487
IEPE signal conditioner
PP969
Carry case

Product information
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PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
3.3 Minimum PC requirements
To ensure that your PicoScope PC Oscilloscope operates correctly, you must have a computer with at
least the minimum system requirements to run one of the supported operating systems, as shown in the
following table. The performance of the software will increase with more powerful PCs, including those
with multi-core processors.
Item
Specification
Operating system
Microsoft Windows, 32-bit and 64-bit versions, Linux, and macOS, 64-bit
versions. See picotech.com/downloads for details.
Processor
As required by the operating system
Memory
Free disk space
Ports
USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 port(s)
3.4 Installation instructions
Procedure
Follow the instructions in the USB Oscilloscope Installation Guide included with your product package.
Connect your PC Oscilloscope to the PC using the USB cable supplied.
Checking the installation
Once you have installed the software and connected the PC Oscilloscope to the PC, start the PicoScope
software. PicoScope should now display any signal connected to the scope inputs. If a probe is
connected to your oscilloscope, you should see a small 50 or 60 hertz signal in the oscilloscope window
when you touch the probe tip with your finger.
Moving your PicoScope PC Oscilloscope to another USB port
The process is automatic. When you move the device from one port to another, Windows displays an
Installing device driver software message and then a PicoScope 4000 Series PC Oscilloscope message.
Your PC oscilloscope is then ready for use.

Product information
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PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
3.5 Connections for the PicoScope 4262
Standard oscilloscope connectors
The PicoScope 4262 PC Oscilloscope has BNC oscilloscope connectors. The inputs have an impedance
of 1 M W , so they are compatible with all standard scope probes including x1, x10 and switched types.
Connector diagrams
Front panel
A. Input channel A
B. Input channel B
C. LED: shows when the
oscilloscope is sampling data
D. Function generator/
arbitrary waveform generator
output
Rear panel
E. External trigger input
F. USB 2.0 port

Product information
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PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
3.6 Connections for the PicoScope 4824A, 4424A and
4224A
Standard oscilloscope connectors
The PicoScope 4000 Series PC Oscilloscopes have 2, 4 or 8 BNC oscilloscope connectors. The inputs
have an impedance of 1 M W , so they are compatible with all standard scope probes including x1, x10 and
switched types.
Connector diagrams
4824A front panel
A. Input channel A
B. Input channel B
C. Input channel C
D. Input channel D
E. Input channel E
F. Input channel F
G. Input channel G
H. Input channel H
4424A front panel
A. Input channel A
B. Input channel B
C. Input channel C
D. Input channel D
4224A front panel
A. Input channel A
B. Input channel B
Rear panel
I. Arbitrary waveform
generator output
J. Earth terminal
K. USB 3.0 port

Glossary
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PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
4 Glossary
AC/DC switch. To switch between AC coupling and DC coupling, select AC or DC using the control
in the PicoScope software. When AC coupling is selected the signal is capacitively coupled. The DC
portion of the signal is blocked and low frequencies attenuated.
Analog bandwidth. The input frequency at which the measured signal amplitude is 3 decibels
below the true signal amplitude.
Buffer size. The size of the oscilloscope buffer memory, measured in samples. The buffer allows
the oscilloscope to sample data at a fast sampling rate before transferring the data to the computer at a
slower rate. Once the buffer fills up, the scope must stop sampling, so on longer timebases the buffer
size places an upper limit on the sampling rate that can be used.
GS/s. Gigasamples (billions of samples) per second.
Maximum sampling rate. A figure indicating the maximum number of samples the oscilloscope can
acquire per second. The higher the sampling rate of the oscilloscope, the more accurate the
representation of the high-frequency details in a fast signal.
MS/s. Megasamples (millions of samples) per second.
PC Oscilloscope. A virtual instrument formed by connecting a PicoScope 4000 Series oscilloscope to a
computer running the PicoScope software.
PicoScope 4000 Series. Pico Technology's high-resolution USB PC Oscilloscopes.
PicoScope software. A program that accompanies all Pico PC Oscilloscopes. It turns your PC into an
oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer and measuring instrument.
Real-time sampling. The normal operating mode of a digital oscilloscope. The scope collects a single,
unbroken sequence of samples at or below its maximum sampling rate.
Resolution. The number of bits used to digitize an input signal. The higher the resolution, the smaller the
voltage change that can be detected.
Timebase. The time base controls the time intervals marked on the horizontal divisions of the scope
view. There are ten divisions across the scope view, so the total time across the view is ten times the
time base per division.
USB. Universal Serial Bus (USB), an interface found on all modern PCs. Although your PicoScope will
work with a USB 1.1 port, its operation will be greatly improved by using the recommended USB 2.0 or 3.0
port.
Voltage range. The range of input voltages that the oscilloscope can measure. For example, a voltage
range of ±100 mV means that the oscilloscope can measure voltages between -100 mV and +100 mV.
Input voltages outside this range will not damage the instrument as long as they remain within the
protection limits stated in the relevant specifications table.

Index
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PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
Index
B
BNC connector 16, 17
C
Connections 16, 17
D
Disk space 15
I
Installation 15
L
LED 16, 17
O
Operating system 15
Oscilloscope probe 16, 17
P
PicoScope 4000 Series 5
PicoScope software 15
Processor 15
S
Scope probe 16, 17
Software license conditions 12
System memory 15
System requirements 15
T
Trademarks 13
U
USB 15
changing ports 15
W
Warranty 13
Windows, Microsoft 15

Copyright © 2008–2023 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
ps4000a.en-9
www.picotech.com
United Kingdom headquarters:
United States headquarters:
Pico Technology
James House
Colmworth Business Park
St. Neots
Cambridgeshire
PE19 8YP
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
Pico Technology
320 N Glenwood Blvd
Tyler
TX 75702
United States
Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
Asia-Pacific head office:
Germany regional office and EU authorized representative:
Pico Technology
Room 2252, 22/F, Centro
568 Hengfeng Road
Zhabei District
Shanghai 200070
PR China
Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]
Pico Technology GmbH
Im Rehwinkel 6
30827 Garbsen
Germany
Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]