PICO PicoScope 4000 Series User manual

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

PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide Contents
3Copyright © 2008–2023 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.ps4000a.en-9
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
5Copyright © 2008–2023 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.ps4000a.en-9
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
6Copyright © 2008–2023 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.ps4000a.en-9
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
7Copyright © 2008–2023 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.ps4000a.en-9
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
8Copyright © 2008–2023 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.ps4000a.en-9
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
9Copyright © 2008–2023 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.ps4000a.en-9
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
10Copyright © 2008–2023 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.ps4000a.en-9
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.