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“Floating Ground Accidents” Are Exploding in 2025 – Why 99% of Bench Oscilloscopes (Including DOS1104) Are NOT Channel-Isolated & How to Measure Safely
Full Review + Best Floating-Safe Setup with the HANMATEK DOS1104 110 MHz 4-Channel Beast (January 2026 Update)
Google searches for “oscilloscope blew up”, “floating ground accident”, and “burned scope frontend” spiked dramatically in 2025 — and the trend continues into 2026. The #1 cause? Connecting a standard grounded bench oscilloscope's probe ground clips to floating or offline power circuits, creating deadly short circuits through the scope's common ground.
Today we tackle the most frequent question we get: Are the channels on the HANMATEK DOS1104 isolated?
Official Answer (from HANMATEK Support & User Manual): No — all four channels share a common ground. The BNC shields, probe ground clips, and metal chassis are all tied together — just like 99% of affordable bench scopes (Rigol DS1000/2000 series, Siglent SDS1000X-E, most Hantek, Keysight DSOX1000 entry-level, etc.).
Here's a quick 2026 comparison table of channel isolation options:
| Oscilloscope Model | Isolated Channels? | Typical 2026 Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| HANMATEK DOS1104 | No | ~$185–$215 | Best value 4CH 110 MHz ever |
| Rigol DS1204B | No | ~$500+ | Similar architecture |
| Siglent SDS1104X-E | No | ~$450–$550 | Similar architecture |
| Micsig STO1104C / TO1104 | Yes (fully) | ~$850+ | True isolation – 3–4× the price |
| Cleverscope CS448 | Yes (fully) | ~$3500+ | Lab-grade isolation |
The 5 Most Common “Boom” Scenarios in 2026 (and How to Stay Safe with DOS1104)
These are the real-world mistakes that fry scopes — avoid them!
- Measuring primary-side MOSFETs / SMPS Dangerous: Clip ground to drain or switching node Safe with DOS1104: Use a 100:1 high-voltage differential probe (e.g., HANMATEK DP100 or equivalent 700Vpk model)
- 3-phase inverter or motor drive Dangerous: Ground two channels to different phases Safe: Use A–B math mode (subtract channels) or multiple differential probes
- Offline / floating SMPS Dangerous: Clip ground to live/neutral/hot side Safe: Power the DUT via isolation transformer + differential probe
- Automotive O2 sensor / ECU Dangerous: Rarely an issue Safe: 100% fine — vehicle chassis is common ground
- Comparing 220V input vs 12V output Dangerous: Grounds at different potentials Safe: Two differential probes or isolated handheld scope
Real example of what happens when you ignore floating ground rules — fried frontend from ground loop:
Why the HANMATEK DOS1104 Remains Our #1 Recommended 4-Channel Scope in 2026
Even without isolation, this little beast crushes expectations at its price:
- True 110 MHz bandwidth + 1 GSa/s sampling + 4 channels — under $215 (often discounted with bundles)
- Bright 7″ TFT display + 50,000 wfm/s capture rate (beats most sub-$500 scopes)
- Built-in FFT, math functions, protocol decoding (I²C, SPI, CAN, UART)
- Includes 4× genuine PP150 probes + 12-month warranty (extendable)
- USB-powered (5V) for flexibility — can even run from power bank (note: USB grounding varies)
See the DOS1104 in real lab action — 4 channels capturing complex signals simultaneously:
Cheapest Safe Floating Measurement Setup in 2026 (Total < $350–$400)
You don't need a $900+ isolated scope for most offline/power work:
- Main scope: HANMATEK DOS1104 — ~$185–$215
- Must-have: High-voltage differential probe (700Vpk rated, 100:1) — ~$60–$100 (HANMATEK-compatible models or budget equivalents like basic 100MHz diff probes)
- Optional extras: Battery-powered isolation module or 1:1 isolation transformer — $20–$50
This setup safely handles 99% of SMPS, motor drives, inverters, and floating circuits — at half the cost of true isolated-channel alternatives.
Professional differential probe in use for safe high-voltage/floating measurements:
Final Verdict (January 2026)
- 90% of your work (Arduino/RPi, automotive ECU, audio, sensors, logic, embedded debugging)? → Grab the DOS1104 today — worry-free and unbeatable value.
- Frequent offline SMPS, half-bridges, inverters, or floating power? → DOS1104 + one good differential probe = smartest $300–$350 investment of 2026.
Stop fearing “non-isolated channels” — just probe the right way with the right accessories.
→ Check current pricing, New Year bundles (still including FREE SF3 stud finder on some deals), and grab yours: HANMATEK DOS1104 110 MHz 4-Channel Oscilloscope — Official Collection → https://hanmatek.com/collections/dos1104
Your power supplies, inverters, and motor drives deserve clear, safe visibility — get measuring! 🚀
FAQ
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Are the four channels on the HANMATEK DOS1104 truly isolated from each other?
No. Like 99% of bench oscilloscopes on the market (Rigol, Siglent, Keysight entry-level, etc.), the DOS1104 has all four channels sharing a common ground. The BNC shields, probe ground clips, USB ground, and AC mains earth are all tied together. HANMATEK officially confirms there is no channel-to-channel isolation. Clipping a ground lead to a floating or offline circuit with different potential will instantly create a short – potentially destroying the scope or the DUT.
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I often measure offline flyback converters, half-bridges, and motor drives. Is the DOS1104 still worth buying?
Absolutely yes – it remains the unbeatable king of value in 2025! Just add one high-voltage differential probe and you’re safe. The smartest and cheapest safe-floating setup in 2025: HANMATEK DOS1104 → under €200 One HANMATEK DP100 100:1 high-voltage differential probe (700 Vpk) → €69 (Optional) 1:1 isolation transformer or battery-powered isolator → €20–40 Total under €350, yet it safely handles 99% of offline SMPS, inverters, and motor-drive measurements – for less than half the price of a truly isolated scope like the Micsig STO/TO series.
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When is it 100% safe to clip the normal ground lead with the DOS1104 (no differential probe needed)?
Completely safe in these common situations: Any single-supply circuit (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, STM32 boards, audio, sensors, logic) Automotive electronics (12 V / 24 V systems – car chassis = ground) Circuits with opto-isolated sections (secondary side already isolated from primary) USB-powered or battery-powered development boards Any circuit where you are 100% sure all ground-clip points are at the same potential as the scope’s mains earth As long as the DUT and the oscilloscope share the same ground reference, clip away with confidence. The DOS1104 is built exactly for these everyday tasks and still delivers the best specs under €200 in 2025. Bottom line: Don’t let “non-isolated channels” scare you. 99% of blown scopes in 2025 happened because of wrong grounding – not because the scope was bad. Measure smart, and the DOS1104 is still the #1 recommendation.
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