What type of current is generally measured using an oscilloscope?

An oscilloscope is a versatile electronic measuring instrument primarily used to visualize the waveform of electrical signals. It can display various types of current, including alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC), on the screen as a graph of voltage versus time.

When measuring DC, the oscilloscope shows a flat line at the level of the voltage being measured, which indicates a constant value over time. In contrast, for AC, the oscilloscope displays a waveform that oscillates above and below the zero voltage line, reflecting the periodic nature of the current. Additionally, when dealing with pulsating current, which is characteristic of certain types of power supplies or signal modulation, an oscilloscope can also effectively depict these variations in voltage over time.

Due to its capability to analyze different types of signals, measuring both AC and DC, along with other transitional signals such as pulsating current, the oscilloscope proves to be an invaluable tool in various electronic applications, including circuit analysis, signal processing, and troubleshooting electronic devices.