PASCO PI-8127 User Manual
Function Generator
PI-8127
Instruction Manual
012-10425A
Liquid
Crystal
Display
(LCD)
Frequency Adjust
knob and Range
Selection button
Power
button
Output
Standby
button
Resolution
Selection
buttons
Waveform
Selection
button
Menu
button
Voltage
Adjust
knob and
Menu
Selection
button
Output
jacks
(4 mm)
Included Equipment Part Number
Function Generator
AC to 15 V DC, 1.6 A power adapter (not shown) 540-057
Examples of Compatible PASCO Equipment (See the PASCO Catalog for details)
Mechanical Wave Driver SF-9324
Open Speaker WA-9900
AC/DC Electronics Laboratory EM-8656
RLC Circuit Board CI-6512
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Function Generator Introduction
Introduction
The PASCO Function Generator outputs waveforms that include DC (direct current)
as well as sine, square, triangle, positive ramp, and negative ramp with a frequency
range of 0.001 Hz (hertz) to 100 kHz (kilohertz). The sine waveworm retains its form
up to a frequency of 150 kHz, but the other waveforms will show some distortion
above 100 kHz. Its 10 watt power output (up to 10 volts and up to 1 amp) makes it
useful for driving speakers, string vibrators, and circuits.
Features
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD): The liquid crystal display (LCD) shows
frequency, voltage, current, and waveform. The lower right section of the
LCD also shows other information such as the voltage offset of the output, if any, whether a frequency sweep is on, and whether the output is on
standby.
LCD shows frequency, voltage,
Frequency/Range Selection: There are two frequency ranges: 0.001 Hz
to 999.999 Hz, and 0.001 kHz to 100.000 kHz (150 kHz for the sine
waveform). When the Function Generator is first turned on, the default
frequency is 1.000 kHz. Press the Frequency Adjust knob as if it were a button to
switch between ranges.
current, and waveform as well as other information
such as the voltage offset and sweep condition.
Output Standby: Pushing the Output Standby button disables the output without
changing settings. This allows you to change settings with the output off. Press the
button again to enable the output.
Output Current/Voltage Maximum: The maximum current or maximum voltage
can be set using a menu. This is useful when the voltage applied to a circuit needs to
be limited. The LCD displays the output voltage and current.
Offset Voltage: Any waveform can be offset up or down with a DC voltage ranging
from -10 V to +10 V, provided the peak voltage does not exceed 10 V.
Frequency Sweep: Sweep between two frequencies at a selectable rate.
Operation
Power: Connect the plug from the AC-to-15 V DC adapter to the power jack on the
lower right corner of the back panel of the Function Generator. Connect the power
cord for the adapter to an appropriate electrical outlet.
On/Off: To turn the Function Generator on, press the Power button on the
lower left corner of the front panel. Press the Power button again to turn
the Function Generator off.
Power jack
Default Settings: The displayed default settings when the Function Generator is first turned on are 1.000 kHz (frequency), 0.00 V (output voltage), 0.00 A (output current), and sine wave (waveform). The waveform
symbol is shown at the lower left corner of the LCD.
Settings that are not shown by default are the voltage offset (0.00 V) and
the voltage limit (maximum voltage), which is 10.0 V, the short circuit current limit
(maximum current), which is 1.50 A, the backlight setting (“High”), and the sweep
setting (“Off”). See the Menus section for more information.
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Displayed Default Settings
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Model No.PI-8127 Operation
Output: Connect a device such as a speaker, wave driver, or electrical circuit to the
output jacks at the lower right corner of the front panel.
Frequency Adjust
The Frequency Adjust knob serves two purposes. Turn the knob to change the frequency. Press the end of the knob as if it were a button to toggle between the two frequency ranges.
Range Selection: The default range is 0.001 kHz to 100.000 kHz or 150.000 kHz for
the sine waveform (other waveforms are distorted above 100 kHz). The other range is
0.001 Hz to 999.999 Hz. Press the end of the Frequency Adjust knob as if it were a
button to switch between ranges. The default frequency for the lower range is 1
Hz.
Frequency Adjust: The default frequency for the default range is 1
that the “1” is underlined in the display. This indicates that this is the digit that will
change first when you turn the knob. For example, turn the knob one “click” to the
right (clockwise), and the frequency increases to 2
.000 kHz. Each “click” to the right
(clockwise) or left (counterclockwise) will increment or decrement the digit that is
underlined in the display. When you reach 9
will change the frequency to 10
.000 kHz. Notice that the underline stays
.000 kHz, the next “click” to the right
below the “ones” place. Turning the frequency knob one more “click” to the
right changes the frequency to 11
.000 kHz.
.000 kHz. Notice
NOTE:
To set up the frequency, voltage, and other parameters
without outputting a signal,
press the OUTPUT
STANDBY button.
Make the adjustments, and
press the OUTPUT
STANDBY button again to
begin the signal.
.000
Press the Frequency Adjust
knob to change the range.
As a second example, if the frequency is 1
.000 kHz, turning the Frequency Adjust
knob one “click” to the left (counterclockwise) does not decrease the frequency to
0
.000 kHz. Instead, the frequency stays at 1.000 kHz (it is not possible to have zero
frequency). To lower the frequency, press the right-hand Resolution Selection button
to move the underline to the right (1.0
knob counterclockwise one “click” to decrease the frequency to 0.9
00 kHz) and then turn the Frequency Adjust
00 kHz.
Resolution Selection: Use the Resolution Selection buttons beneath the Frequency
Adjust knob to change the active (underlined) digit in the display. Pushing the left
button moves the underline to the left and pushing the right button moves the underline to the right.
Use both the Frequency Adjust knob and the Resolution Selection buttons to set the
frequency. Remember that you can push the OUTPUT STANDBY button to disable
the output while you adjust the frequency, and then push the button again to enable
the output when you have the frequency set the way you want.
Clear Feature: While adjusting the frequency, you can clear (zero) all the digits to
the right of the underline cursor by pressing the Voltage Adjust knob as if it were a
button.
Voltage Adjust
The Voltage Adjust knob serves three purposes.
NOTE: You can conveniently go
to the lowest frequency without
overshooting by rapidly turning
the Frequency Adjust knob.
Resolution Selection buttons
• Turn the knob to change the output voltage.
• When the LCD shows the waveform list or the menu, turn the Voltage Adjust
knob to move the pointer up or down in the list or in the menu.
• Press the knob as if it were a button to select a choice from the waveform list or
from the menu.
®
Press the Voltage Adjust
knob to select a waveform
or menu item
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