In this work we use the Arduino UNO R3 open source hardware platform to assemble an experimental
apparatus for the measurement of the time constant of an RC circuit. With adequate programming, the
Arduino is used as a signal generator, a data acquisition system and a basic signal visualisation
tool. Theoretical calculations are compared with direct observations from an analogue oscilloscope.
Data processing and curve fitting is performed on a spreadsheet. The results obtained for the six RC
test circuits are within the expected interval of values defined by the tolerance of the components.
The hardware and software prove to be adequate to the proposed measurements and therefore adaptable
to a laboratorial teaching and learning context.