Even without the "variable" this can work. Use a high enough DC voltage.

There is a method with a scope, resistor and AC supply but it is much more
complex for a novice (assuming)

I got the scope, resistor(s). Variac + small transformer = variable AC
supply.

So describe away!

Thanks.

hmmmm... Now you are pushing my memory hard!!...LOL

Let's see.

Make a series circuit with the resistor (R) at the top and the component at
the bottom. Feed the whole thing with an AC voltage supply, top to bottom.

You will need a scope with horizontal input as well as the usual vertical
input and a floating ground or full differential input somwehere. (you work
out the logic .. maybe a floating AC voltage supply would be enough)

Hook the vertical input across the resistor and the horizontal input across
the component. Maybe the grounds together in the middle of components and
floating supply are good for that??? Been a few years.

Now your vertical trace on the scope indicates current (IR drop in the
resistor).
The horizontal trace indicates voltage drop across the component.
You will get the single curve of a component tracer on your scope.

***Component curves***
**shorted = vertical line
**open = horizontal line
**resistor same as R = 45 degree line
**capacitor = circle... me thinks round indicates matching impedance with R
at 60Hz??
** inductor = circle same as cap above??
**zener no current at lower voltages = horiz. line; no voltage increase at
higher voltages = vertical line = visible knee at zener voltage - use
calibrated scales for measurement
**avalanche diode = horizonatal line with foldback and shows current
(vertical at higher end)

Try it! So simple it stinks but is very visible clue. Watch your scope
grounding.



"DaveC" wrote in message
...
I got the scope, resistor(s). Variac + small transformer = variable AC
supply.

So describe away!

Thanks.




Even without the "variable" this can work. Use a high enough DC voltage.

There is a method with a scope, resistor and AC supply but it is much
more
complex for a novice (assuming)

On Sep 26, 7:14*pm, "Josepi" wrote:
hmmmm... Now you are pushing my memory hard!!...LOL

Let's see.

Make a series circuit with the resistor (R) at the top and the component at
the bottom. Feed the whole thing with an AC voltage supply, top to bottom..

You will need a scope with horizontal input as well as the usual vertical
input and a floating ground or full differential input somwehere. (you work
out the logic .. maybe a floating AC voltage supply would be enough)

Hook the vertical input across the resistor and the horizontal input across
the component. Maybe the grounds together in the middle of components and
floating supply are good for that??? Been a few years.

Now your vertical trace on the scope indicates current (IR drop in the
resistor).
The horizontal trace indicates voltage drop across the component.
You will get the single curve of a component tracer on your scope.

***Component curves***
**shorted = vertical line
**open = horizontal line
**resistor same as R = 45 degree line
**capacitor = circle... me thinks round indicates matching impedance with R
at 60Hz??
** inductor = circle same as cap above??
**zener no current at lower voltages = horiz. line; no voltage increase at
higher voltages = vertical line = visible knee at zener voltage - use
calibrated scales for measurement
**avalanche diode = horizonatal line with foldback and shows current
(vertical at higher end)

Try it! So simple it stinks but is very visible clue. Watch your scope
grounding.

"DaveC" wrote in message

...
I got the scope, resistor(s). Variac + small transformer = variable AC
supply.

So describe away!

Thanks.

Even without the "variable" this can work. Use a high enough DC voltage..

There is a method with a scope, resistor and AC supply *but it is much
more
complex for a novice (assuming)

Sim this in LTSpice

Version 4
SHEET 1 880 680
WIRE 64 64 -16 64
WIRE 224 64 144 64
WIRE 256 64 224 64
WIRE -16 128 -16 64
WIRE 224 144 224 64
WIRE -16 272 -16 208
WIRE 112 272 -16 272
WIRE 224 272 224 208
WIRE 224 272 112 272
WIRE 112 288 112 272
FLAG 112 288 0
FLAG 256 64 Vout
SYMBOL zener 240 208 R180
WINDOW 0 24 72 Left 0
WINDOW 3 -145 31 Left 0
SYMATTR InstName D1
SYMATTR Value BZX84C15L
SYMATTR Description Diode
SYMATTR Type diode
SYMBOL res 160 48 R90
WINDOW 0 0 56 VBottom 0
WINDOW 3 32 56 VTop 0
SYMATTR InstName R1
SYMATTR Value 47k
SYMBOL voltage -16 112 R0
WINDOW 123 0 0 Left 0
WINDOW 39 0 0 Left 0
SYMATTR InstName V1
SYMATTR Value SINE(0 30 50)
TEXT -50 312 Left 0 !.tran 200m