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Electricity

OSCILLOSCOPE

Start with the video, then use the science notes and recommended parts below to follow the idea behind the build.

ElectricityBuild
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How it works

What this project is testing.

An oscilloscope turns invisible voltage changes into a picture. Time moves across the screen, voltage moves the trace up and down, and a messy electrical event becomes something you can read.

Read more

This project demonstrates signal visualization: once a waveform is visible, frequency, noise, shape, and timing stop being guesses.

The vertical position of the trace represents voltage changing over time.
Repeating waveforms reveal their frequency from the time between cycles.

Recommended parts

Products used in this project.

Affiliate links may earn Keystone Science a commission. Match ratings, values, sizes, polarity, and safety requirements to your own build before buying.

Rigol Digital Oscilloscope DS1054Z 50 MHz 4-Ch 1 GSa/s 24 Mpts 30,000 wfms/s UltraVision 7" 800x480 Intensity Display, 60,000-Frame Record/Playback, Serial Decode UART I2C SPI for Debug & Education
oscilloscopetest equipment

Rigol DS1054Z Digital Oscilloscope, 50 MHz, 4 Channel, 1 GSa/s

$349.004.7(724)

Good bench choice; budget scope alternatives may be cheaper but less durable.

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Goupchn Universal P6100 Oscilloscope Clip Probes 100MHz with Accessories Kit 1X 10X 2 Pack
test probes / leadstest equipment

Goupchn Universal P6100 Oscilloscope Clip Probes, 100MHz, 1X/10X, 2 Pack

$13.994.7(126)
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EDGELEC 120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires 20cm Wire Length Optional Dupont Cable Assorted Kit Male to Female Multicolored Ribbon Cables
jumper wires / hookup wirewiring

120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires, 20cm Dupont Cable Assorted Kit, Male to Female

$6.984.7(4,500)
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BOJACK 1000 Pcs 25 Values Resistor Kit 1 Ohm-1M Ohm with 5% 1/4W Carbon Film Resistors Assortment
resistorpassive electronics

BOJACK 1000 Pcs 25-Value 1/4W Carbon Film Resistor Assortment Kit, 1 ohm-1M ohm

$9.994.7(4,500)
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BOJACK 24Value 630pcs Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Assortment Box Kit Range 0.1uF-1000uF
capacitorpassive electronics

BOJACK 24-Value 630pcs Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Assortment Box Kit, 0.1uF-1000uF

$16.994.7(953)
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BOJACK 12 Values 120 Pcs Opamp Timer Darlington Phototcoupler LM324 LM339 ULN2003AN ULN2803APG LM358P LM386 LM393 NE5532P NE555P UA741CN JRC4558D PC817 IC Assortment Kit
integrated circuit / ICsemiconductor

BOJACK 12 Values 120 Pcs Opamp Timer Darlington Phototcoupler LM324 LM339 ULN2003AN ULN2803APG LM358P LM386 LM393 NE5532P NE555P UA741CN JRC4558D PC817 IC Assortment Kit

$18.994.8(511)
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BOJACK 20 Values 200 Pcs Inductor 10 uH to 10 mH 1 W Color Ring Inductor 1 Watt Assortment Kit
inductor / coilpassive electronics

20 Values 200 Pcs Inductor Assortment Kit, 1uH to 4.7mH, 0.5W Color Ring Inductors

$13.994.8(182)
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12V 2A Power Supply, AC 120V to DC12V 5.5x2.1mm Jack Converter, 12 Volt LED Driver 24W Adapter Transformer for Strip Lights, Surveillance Cameras, External HDD, Monitor, CCTV (Pack of 1)
transformerpower

12V 2A Power Supply, AC 120V to DC12V 5.5x2.1mm Adapter Transformer

$8.994.5(6,601)

General low-voltage transformer/adapter pick; match voltage/current and connector to the circuit.

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ZVS Driver Module 12V to 30V DC High Voltage Generator with Flyback Transformer Heater Coil Boost Power Supply Board for Induction Heating
flyback transformerhigh voltage

ZVS Driver Module with Flyback Transformer, 12V-30V DC High Voltage Generator

$37.504.4(55)

High-voltage specialty part. Review ratings and safety language before public recommendation. Review requirements and safety guidance before buying.

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Ackers High Borosilicate Glass Measuring Cup Set with Pour Spout,60ml(2OZ),120ml(4OZ), 250ml(8OZ) Glass Measuring Beaker for Kitchen or Restaurant, Easy to Read
glassfabrication

Ackers High Borosilicate Glass Measuring Beaker Set with Pour Spout

4.5(3,500)
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Syncwire 3.5mm Nylon Braided Aux Cable (3.3ft/1m,Hi-Fi Sound), Audio Auxiliary Input Adapter Male to Male Cord for Headphones, Car, Home Stereos, Speaker, iPhone, iPad, iPod, Echo & More – Black
audio source / phoneaudio

3.5mm Nylon Braided Aux Cable, Male to Male, 3.3ft

$7.994.6(119K)

Use with an existing phone or audio player.

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Project files

Prints, kits, and downloads.

Diagrams, printable files, kits, or companion downloads will appear here when they are ready to use.

Coming soon

Contact

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