The 2510B Series handheld digital storage oscilloscopes combine floating measurementand recorder capabilities with a built-in digitalmultimeter (DMM), all in one portable andlightweight package. These versatile scopes provide two analogchannels with a maximum bandwidth of 200 MHzand a maximum sample rate of 1 GSa/s.Additionally, the 12 Mpts memory depth,sequence mode, and 400,000 waveforms persecond update rate, allow users to capturetransients and long-term signal behavior withexcellent signal fidelity.Models 2515B and 2516B offer full isolationbetween both the oscilloscope channels, themultimeter channel, the power input and the USBhost and device port. The built-in 6000-count multimeter allows usersto quickly transition from an oscilloscope to aDMM to measure DC/AC voltage and current,resistance, and capacitance, including diode andcontinuity tests.These handheld DSOs feature many usefulrecording functions such as scope recorder andtrend plot, which allows data logging from theoscilloscope and multimeter inputs. The scoperecorder function provides sample rates up to25 kSa/s, 50 MB internal memory, and support towrite directly to an external drive for up to 2 GB.The trend plot allows users to log oscilloscope ormeter measurements at a slower rate up to 10 Hzwith a maximum memory depth of 3.6 M samples. The 2510B Series handheld oscilloscopes areideal for industrial applications, power systems,electronic design, and field test and service.

Floating and Differential Measurements

Many industrial applications such as power electronics require measurements of high voltages and currents that are not referenced to ground. Traditional line-powered oscilloscopes typically have signal common connected to earth ground, which is usually the chassis of the oscilloscope. This means that all measurements must be made relative to earth ground, which prevents users from making differential measurements where none of the test points are referenced to ground. As a workaround, some people choose to "float" an oscilloscope by removing the connection between the instrument’s chassis (including the outside of BNC jacks) and the power line ground. Floating a scope is not recommended as it can put the user at a safety risk as well as yield poor measurement results due to parasitic capacitance, which can cause ringing and invalidates the measurement. The 2511B allows engineers and technicians to make accurate and safe measurements when the signal reference is floating and neither of the two test points is referenced to earth ground.