Extra exam question E4A04
Subelement E4, AMATEUR PRACTICES· Group E4A
How is compensation of an oscilloscope probe performed?
- A.A square wave is displayed, and the probe is adjusted until the horizontal portions of the displayed wave are as nearly flat as possible (correct answer)
- B.A high frequency sine wave is displayed, and the probe is adjusted for maximum amplitude
- C.A frequency standard is displayed, and the probe is adjusted until the deflection time is accurate
- D.A DC voltage standard is displayed, and the probe is adjusted until the displayed voltage is accurate
WhyOscilloscope probe compensation is performed by displaying a square wave and adjusting the probe until the horizontal portions of the displayed wave are as flat as possible. Oscilloscope probe compensation is done by displaying a known square wave and adjusting the probe's small trimmer capacitor until the horizontal top and bottom portions of the displayed square wave are as flat as possible, correcting for probe/scope capacitance mismatch, answer A. It isn't done using a high-frequency sine wave for maximum amplitude, a frequency standard for timebase accuracy, or a DC standard for voltage accuracy, those calibrate different scope functions.
Published 2026-08-28 · Last updated 2026-08-28 · Question text is verbatim from the 2024-2028 NCVEC Element 4 pool (public domain); the explanation above is original writing, see our methodology.
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