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50 Hz AC Mains

So the waveform collection wouldnt be complete without the 50Hz AC Mains. Since the oscilloscope I am currently using is USB powered PC based, it can't handle high voltages such as the 230 Volts AC/Hz available in India.


So I stuck my probes onto the secondary of a AC/DC step down adapter..


..connected the oscilloscope to my laptop and observed the waveform and more specifically, its frequency:


Just to be safe, I operated the laptop on battery and disconnected the laptop charger from the mains.




Next I loaded the AC/DC adapter with a 47 ohms resistor...


.. and observed the signal (note the distortion):




If you are wondering if (and why) the utility frequency ever changes then the following articles would interest you:

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