Rigol DS1054Z Oscilloscope tutorial - Single trigger mode

Take note of the four buttons at the top of the scope labeled "CLEAR, AUTO, RUN/STOP, and SINGLE".

In "RUN" mode, the scope acts like a "good old oscilloscope" triggering over and over and displaying a repeating signal. This works fine for looking at the square wave that comes out of the scopes calibration loop for example. If the scope is in "RUN" mode, the clear button won't do a thing. In this mode, the RUN/STOP button will be green and the only button lit. You will see either "T'D" or "AUTO" blinking in green at the top left of the screen.

If you press the RUN/STOP button, it should turn red and you will see "STOP" in red at the top left corner of the screen. Now you can use the clear button. If you now press "SINGLE" you will get a single display (assuming the trigger is set properly). You can keep the scope in STOP and press SINGLE and CLEAR until you are satisfied. Each time you press SINGLE, you should see the screen indicator in the upper left change briefly from STOP to RUN (in green). Press RUN/STOP again and it will change from red to pale green and that upper left corner field will say "T'D". Stay away from that AUTO.

It you are in single trigger mode waiting for a trigger and none is coming along, you can press the "FORCE" button in the trigger section to cause an immediate trigger and get something on the screen. If you are still playing around with the calibration signal, try this. Move the trigger out of range and press SINGLE, the scope will wait forever. Now press FORCE and you will see a display and the scope will STOP.