80
Scope Multimeter
General Reference
5.8.5 Glossary of Common Terms
40
36.0
24.0
18.0
50
45.0
30.0
22.5
60
54.0
36.0
27.0
70
63.0
42.0
31.5
80
72.0
48.0
36.0
90
81.0
54.0
40.5
100
90.0
60.0
45.0
Term / Abbreviation
Description
AC
Alternating Current - electrical current that switches polarity at
regular intervals.
Aliasing
An effect that causes an incorrect signal to be displayed and/or
causes a trigger to malfunction, due to the input signal
exceeding the sample rate of the scope.
Amperage
The strength of an electric current, expressed in amperes
Amplitude
Vertical magnitude (level or position) of a signal, or the varying
quantity from its zero value.
Buffer
An electronic reservoir for temporary storage of data
Cursor
Onscreen markers used to measure time, amplitude and
frequency
Coupling AC
Function used to subtract the average value of a signal so that
small variations can be displayed in the waveform.
DC
Direct Current - electrical current that flows in one direction
only
Delta
Difference in time between two events.
Dropout
An intermittent or unwanted, vertical fall in a signal to zero that
may cause an undesired result.
Duty cycle
Measurement of the length of a signals on time. Specified as a
percentage (ratio), of the total cycle time.
Dwell
Used to measure a signals on time in degrees of dwell.
Commonly used to measure mixture control solenoids on
carbureted feedback engines and specified in duty cycle %.
Dwell 60
Measurement of the length of a signals on time displayed on a
0 to 60 degree scale. 0° = 0%; 30° = 50%; 60° = 100%.
Dwell 90
Measurement of the length of a signals on time displayed on a
0 to 90 degree scale. 0° = 0%; 45° = 50%; 90° = 100%.
Filter
Function used to filter or smooth out spikes and fast variations
in signals.
Frequency
The number of times a signal repeats in one second.
Measured in Hertz (cycles per second).
Glitch
An intermittent or unwanted, error in a signal that may cause a
false or undesired result.
Grid
The graph displayed on the scope screen that is made up of
the x and y axis scales that aid in the measuring of signal
characteristics.
Duty % to Dwell Conversions
Duty Cycle
Dwell
%
4 cyl
6 cyl
8 cyl
