Tektronix TCP0030A Instruction Manual
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Tektronix TCP0030A Instruction Manual

120 mhz, 30 amp ac/dc current probe
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TCP0030A
xx
120 MHz, 30 Amp AC/DC Current Probe
ZZZ
Instruction Manual
www.tek.com
071-3006-01

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  • Page 1 TCP0030A 120 MHz, 30 Amp AC/DC Current Probe Instruction Manual www.tek.com 071-3006-01...
  • Page 2 Copyright © Tektronix. All rights reserved. Licensed software products are owned by Tektronix or its subsidiaries or suppliers, and are protected by national copyright laws and international treaty provisions. Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and pending. Information in this publication supersedes that in all previously published material.
  • Page 3 Warranty Tektronix warrants that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of shipment. If any such product proves defective during this warranty period, Tektronix, at its option, either will repair the defective product without charge for parts and labor, or will provide a replacement in exchange for the defective product.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Inductance Measurements ......................TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 6 Test Record ......................... . TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 7 Cleaning..........................Index TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 8 Table of Contents TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 9: General Safety Summary

    Do not operate with suspected failures. If you suspect that there is damage to this product, have it inspected by qualified service personnel. Avoid exposed circuitry. Do not touch exposed connections and components when power is present. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 10 These terms may appear on the product: DANGER indicates an injury hazard immediately accessible as you read the marking. WARNING indicates an injury hazard not immediately accessible as you read the marking. CAUTION indicates a hazard to property including the product. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 11 General safety summary The following symbol(s) may appear on the product: TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 12: Service Safety Summary

    Dangerous voltages or currents may exist in this product. Disconnect power, remove battery (if applicable), and disconnect test leads before removing protective panels, soldering, or replacing components. To avoid electric shock, do not touch exposed connections. viii TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 13: Compliance Information

    EN 61010-2-032: 2002. Particular requirements for handheld current clamps for electrical measurement and test equipment. U.S. Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Listing UL 61010-1:2004, 2 Edition. Standard for electrical measuring and test equipment. IEC 61010-2-032:2002. Particular requirements for handheld current clamps for electrical measurement and test equipment. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 14 IEC 61010-031: 2002. Particular requirements for handheld probe assemblies for electrical measurement and test equipment. IEC 61010-2-032: 2002. Particular requirements for handheld current clamps for electrical measurement and test equipment. Equipment Type Test and measuring equipment. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 15 Pollution Degree Pollution Degree 2 (as defined in IEC 61010-1). Note: Rated for indoor use only. Installation (Overvoltage) Category Descriptions Terminals on this product may have different installation (overvoltage) category designations. The installation categories are: TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 16 Measurement Category II. For measurements performed on circuits directly connected to the low-voltage installation. Measurement Category I. For measurements performed on circuits not directly connected to MAINS. Overvoltage Category Overvoltage Category II (as defined in IEC 61010-1) TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 17: Environmental Considerations

    This symbol indicates that this product complies with the applicable European Union requirements according to Directives 2002/96/EC and 2006/66/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and batteries. For information about recycling options, check the Support/Service section of the Tektronix Web site (www.tektronix.com).

  • Page 18: Preface

    Preface Preface This manual describes the installation and operation of the TCP0030A current probe. Basic probe operations and concepts are presented in this manual. You can also access the Tektronix Web site for this document and other related information. Documentation...

  • Page 19: Returning The Probe For Servicing

    Preface Returning the Probe for Servicing If your probe requires servicing, you must return the probe to Tektronix. If the original packaging is unfit for use or not available, use the following packaging guidelines: Preparation for Shipment 1. Use a corrugated cardboard shipping...
  • Page 20 Preface TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 21: Key Features

    Key Features Key Features You can use the TCP0030A current probe to make accurate measurements from DC to 120 MHz. The probe combines proven Hall-effect technology with the Tektronix TekVPI oscilloscope interface. Key features include: >120 MHz bandwidth, <2.92 ns rise time...

  • Page 22: Installation

    When the probe is connected, the host instrument reads information from the probe and identifies the device. All of the probe LEDs light briefly for a quick visual check. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 23: Degauss The Probe

    The DC gain and offset errors are not NOTE. guaranteed when this LED flashes red. 3. The multicolor Degauss/AutoZero status LED glows green to indicate a successful degauss routine was run, and that the probe is in normal operating mode. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 24 After you turn on the measurement system and allow a 20-minute warm-up period Before you connect the probe to a conductor Whenever a current or thermal overload condition occurs Whenever you subject the probe to a strong external magnetic field TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 25: Controls And Indicators

    3. The jaw can accept a 5 mm (0.2 in) diameter maximum conductor size. WARNING. To prevent probe damage, do not force conductors larger than 5 mm (0.2 in) diameter into the jaw. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 26 To prevent probe damage, do not drop the probe or subject it to impact. WARNING. Do not connect the current probe to any wire that carries voltages or currents that exceed the rating of the probes. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 27 1. Clip the ground lead to the ground post at the bottom of the probe head. 2. Connect the alligator end of the clip to the circuit ground. 3. Clamp the probe around the circuit conductor. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 28: Control Box

    NOTE. The probe will retain the range state and will restore it when it is power cycled. The Jaw Open LED will also remain lit if the probe slider is unlocked. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 29 2. Close the probe slider to accurately measure current or to degauss the probe. Do not measure conductors larger CAUTION. than 5.0 mm (0.20 in) diameter. Damage to the probe jaws may result. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 30 CAUTION. Do not subject the probe to conditions that cause the Overload LED to light for extended periods. Quick Tip An input current overload can magnetize the probe. Always degauss the probe after an overload. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 31 Range Button Press the Range button to select between the 5 A and 30 A current range settings. The green LEDs indicate the range selected. The range and units are also displayed on the oscilloscope screen. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 32 To degauss the probe, do the following: 1. Disconnect the probe from the current source and then close the slider. 2. Press the Degauss/AutoZero button to initiate the degauss routine. The LED glows green after successfully completing the Degauss/AutoZero routine. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 33 Controls and Indicators Menu Button Press the Menu button on the TCP0030A probe to access additional probe functions, such as probe offset and deskew. The following menus may appear on the oscilloscope screen, depending on the model. An MSO/DPO4000 series oscilloscope is used in this example.
  • Page 34 Controls and Indicators Menu-Driven Probe Functions The following probe functions are available through menu screens on many Tektronix oscilloscopes. An MSO/DPO4000 series oscilloscope is used in these examples. Fine Scale. This feature allows you to adjust the vertical mA/div setting to a custom scale that is between the fixed 1–2–5 scales...
  • Page 35 Controls and Indicators Probe Setup. The Probe Setup menu displays probe settings and functional buttons. Use the side-bezel buttons to initiate routines such as Degauss and Deskew. The buttons also display the degauss status of the probe. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 36 Controls and Indicators Deskew. To deskew the TCP0030A probe to other probes, select this function and connect the probes to the optional deskew fixture. (See page 43, Deskew/Calibration Fixture.) The deskew procedure measures the channel-to-channel delay time, including the probes, and provides manual and automatic steps to align the delay (skew).

  • Page 37: Functional Check

    3. Press the Degauss/AutoZero button. 4. Clamp the probe to your circuit. 5. Adjust the oscilloscope or use the Autoset function to display a stable waveform. When you see a stable waveform, your probe is functioning correctly. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 38: Basic Operation

    2. Close and lock the probe jaw over the conductor. For correct polarity reading, connect the probe so that the current flow, from positive to negative, is aligned with the arrow on the probe jaw. 3. Read the measurement on the oscilloscope display. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 39 1. Clip the ground lead to the ground post at the bottom of the probe head. 2. Connect the alligator end of the clip to the circuit ground. 3. Clamp the probe around the circuit conductor. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 40: Application Examples

    Application Examples Application Examples This section explains ways to use your probe in common troubleshooting tasks and how to extend the use of your measurement system. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 41: Inductance Measurements

    3. Clamp the current probe over one of the source leads. NOTE. If the probe impedance is a significant part of the total circuit inductance, measurement accuracy will be affected. Refer to the probe specifications for probe insertion impedance. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 42 5. Calculate the inductance using the following formula: where: L is the inductance in henries, E is the voltage of the pulse generator, dt is the change in time, and di is the change in current. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 43 L is the inductance in henries, τ is the time required for the current to rise or fall 63.2% of the total current value, and R is the source resistance of the pulse generator. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 44: Measuring Inductor Turns Count

    3. Clamp the current probe around the inductor and note the current value. The number of turns is equal to the ratio of coil current to input current. The accuracy of this method is limited by the current measurement accuracy. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 45 The turns are calculated by using the formula: where: is the number of turns in the test coil, is the number of turns in the reference coil, is the measured coil current, and is the input current. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 46: Probing Principles

    190 Hz. Your circuit must be able to absorb this induced voltage. With low impedance circuits, several amperes may be induced in the circuit being measured. This may be of concern when you are using very small conductors. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 47: Measuring Differential Current

    Do not force the slide closed. Damage to the probe may result. If you cannot close the slide around the conductor(s), either reduce the number of conductors you are measuring, or, if possible, take your measurement on a smaller conductor. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 48 3. Measure the current. Conventional current flows from positive to negative. A waveform above the baseline indicates that the conductor with the conventional current flow in the direction of the probe arrow is carrying the greater current. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 49: Extending Current Range

    If you want to measure a low-amplitude AC component that is superimposed on an extremely large steady-state DC component (such as in a power supply), or if you want to extend the DC current range of your probe, you can add offset (bucking) current with a second conductor. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 50 NOTE. Adding a second conductor to the probe increases the insertion impedance and reduces the upper bandwidth limit of the probe. Winding multiple turns further increases the insertion impedance, further reducing the upper bandwidth limit. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 51 For example, if the second conductor has a current of 100 mA DC and is wrapped around the probe five times, the DC bucking current is 100 mA multiplied by 5, or 500 mA DC. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 52: Increasing Sensitivity

    3 mA DC, the actual current flow is 3 mA divided by 3, or 1 mA DC. NOTE. Winding more turns around the probe increases the insertion impedance and reduces the upper bandwidth limit of the probe. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 53: Common Mode Noise/Magnetic Field Errors

    fields on the supply side of your circuit can cause measurement errors. To avoid this: 1. Measure on the low or ground side of your circuit. 2. Orient the probe to measure conventional current flow. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 54: Ac And Dc Coupling

    2. Press the DC Coupling button to display the waveform as truly square. When you use AC coupling, make CAUTION. sure that the input DC current does not exceed the probe specifications. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 55: Maximum Current Limits

    DC or at a specified AC frequency. The maximum continuous current value is derated with frequency; as the frequency increases, the maximum continuous current rating decreases. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 56 Always degauss the probe after measuring a current that exceeds the maximum continuous current, maximum pulsed current, or Ampere-second product rating of the probe. Exceeding these ratings can magnetize the probe and cause measurement errors. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 57 1. Measure the peak current of the pulse. 2. Divide the Ampere-second (or Ampere-microsecond) specification for the range setting of the TCP0030A probe by the measured peak current of the pulse: The quotient is the maximum allowable pulse width (PW 3.
  • Page 58 1. Measure the pulse width at the 50% points. 2. Divide the Ampere-second (or Ampere-microsecond) specification for the range setting of the TCP0030A probe by the pulse width. The quotient is the maximum allowable pulse amplitude; the peak amplitude of the measured pulse must be less than this value.

  • Page 59: Accessories And Options

    1. Fasten the small clip to the ground stub on the probe body. 2. Clip the alligator clip to your circuit. 3. Attach the probe to your circuit. Reorder Tektronix part number 196-3521-xx, qty. 1. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 60 The instruction manual provides operating and maintenance instructions. Reorder Tektronix part number: 071-3006-xx Manuals in the languages listed below are available for this product. Other languages may also be available; check the Tektronix Web site at www.tektronix.com/manuals. Japanese Simplified Chinese TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 61: Optional Accessories

    Use the 1-turn, 50 Ω current loop for the performance verification procedures. The BNC connector allows for easy connections to current sources. To use the current loop, follow the procedure for the specific task that you are performing. Order Tektronix part number: 067-2396-xx TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 62 fixture. The signal can then be measured with another instrument, such as a precision DMM, to check and adjust the gain accuracy of the probe. Order Tektronix part number 067-1701-xx. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 63 The deskew procedures compensate for gain errors and timing differences between current and voltage probes. Refer to your oscilloscope manual or fixture documentation for instructions. Reorder Tektronix part number: 067-1686-xx TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 64: Options

    Option D1. Calibration Data Report Option D3. Calibration Data Report, 3 years (with Option C3) Option D5. Calibration Data Report, 5 years (with Option C5) Option R3. Repair Service 3 years Option R5. Repair Service 5 years TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 65: Specifications

    The probe must have a warm-up period of at least 20 minutes and be in an environment that does not exceed the limits described. (See Table 1). Specifications for the TCP0030A current probe fall into three categories: warranted, typical, and nominal characteristics. Warranted Characteristics Warranted characteristics describe guaranteed performance within tolerance limits or certain type-tested requirements.

  • Page 66: Typical Characteristics

    ≤75 μA RMS. (Limit measurement bandwidth to 20 MHz) Insertion impedance (See Figure 2 on page 48.) Signal delay ~14.5 ns Maximum voltage on bare wire 150 V CAT II Maximum Amp·Second product 5 A range: 50 A·μs 30 A range: 500 A·μs TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 67 Specifications Figure 1: Frequency derating (peak current versus frequency) TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 68 Specifications Figure 2: Typical input impedance versus frequency TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 69 Specifications Figure 3: Maximum peak pulse versus pulse width TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 70 148.3 mm × 15.2 mm × 30.5 mm (5.8 in × 0.6 in × 1.2 in) Dimensions, cable length 2 m (79 in) (from the probe head to the compensation box) Unit weight 700 g (1.5 lbs) (probe, accessories, and packaging) TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 71 Specifications TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 72: Nominal Characteristics

    Nominal characteristics describe guaranteed traits, but the traits do not have tolerance limits. Table 5: Nominal electrical characteristics Characteristic Description Input coupling Current ranges 5 A and 30 A Termination Terminate output into 1 MΩ Compatibility Oscilloscopes equipped with the TekVPI interface TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 73: Performance Verification

    The procedures that follow verify the warranted specifications of the probe, listed below. The recommended calibration interval is one year. DC gain accuracy Rise time Bandwidth Perform the following verification procedures in the order listed. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 74: Equipment Required

    BNC-to-dual banana 103-0090-xx Adapter SMA male-to-BNC female 015-1018-xx BNC cable 50 Ω, 0.76 m (30 in) length 012-0117-xx Test leads (2) Banana plug to clip leads Keithley 1681 Nine-digit part numbers (xxx-xxxx-xx) are Tektronix part numbers. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 75: Making The Dc Current Loop

    2. Scrape about a half-inch of coating off of the ends of the wire. Ensure that the current loop has exactly 5 turns. A significant error will result for each turn variance from 5 turns. NOTE. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 76: Equipment Setup

    5. Power on the current source and the pulse generator. 6. Allow 20 minutes for the equipment to warm up. 7. Photocopy the test record and use it to record the test results. (See page 63.) TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 77: Dc Gain Accuracy

    (1–4) of the oscilloscope. 5. Connect the probe to the TekVPI Calibration/Verification adapter. The adapter is only used to supply NOTE. power to the probe; measurements are taken on the DMM. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 78 8. Connect the 5-turn current loop to the current source, and then clamp the current probe around the current loop as shown. The arrow indicator on the probe should point away from the (+) terminal of the current source. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 79 DMM as M1. 14. Set the current source output to -0.50 A. 15. Record the exact measurement of the DMM as M2. 16. Compute the % Error using the measured amplitude values and the formula shown. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 80 21. Record the exact measurement of the DMM as M2. 22. Compute the % Error using the measured amplitude values and the formula shown. 23. Record the computed %Error values in the Test Record. 24. Disable the calibrator output. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 81: Rise Time And Bandwidth

    4. Set the pulse generator output and pulse width to maximum (0 dB, 100 ns duration). 5. Set the oscilloscope: Vertical sensitivity to 200 mA/div Horizontal to 2 ns/div Trigger at 50% Averaging on (32) Coupling to DC To measure Rise Time TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 82 12. Set the probe range to the 30 A setting and set the vertical sensitivity to 200 mA/div. 13. Remove the probe from the current loop and then repeat steps 7 through 11. End of procedures. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 83: Test Record

    ±2.50 V Accuracy 30 A ±15 A ±1.50 V Rise time ~1 A <2.92 ns 2.92 ns 30 A ~1 A <2.92 ns 2.92 ns Bandwidth >120 MHz 120 MHz 30 A >120 MHz 120 MHz TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 84: Adjustments

    Equipment Required Refer to the Performance Verification procedure for the equipment required. You also need an insulated, flat-bladed adjustment tool. The tool is available from Tektronix; order part number 003-1433-00. Equipment Setup Refer to the Performance Verification procedure for the equipment setup.

  • Page 85: Dc Gain Accuracy

    2. Set the calibrator output to 0.5 A. 3. Adjust the 5 A DC gain control in the probe head to display 2.50 V, ±0.075 V on the DMM. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 86 5. Set the calibrator output to 3.0 A. 6. Adjust the 30 A DC gain control in the probe compensation box to display 1.50 V, ±0.045 V on the DMM. 7. Disconnect the probe from the current source. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 87: High Frequency Response

    2. Set the Range to 5 A. 3. Adjust the H.F. control to optimize the rise time and aberrations. 4. Set the Range to 30 A and repeat step 3. 5. Check that the probe response is optimized for both ranges. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 88: Maintenance

    Troubleshooting The TCP0030A current probe is designed to work with all TekVPI-interface oscilloscopes and adapters. The LEDs on the probe alert you to error or status conditions affecting the probe. If the probe LEDs do not light as expected, or if some of the probe features do not work properly, an error condition may exist.
  • Page 89 If the probe does not work on another channel or oscilloscope, the probe is defective, and must be returned to Tektronix for repair. An error message displays on the The message will describe the cause and solution. For example, if the Probe oscilloscope degauss needed message appears, perform the degauss procedure.

  • Page 90: Cleaning

    75% isopropyl alcohol solution and rinse with deionized water. A swab is useful for cleaning narrow spaces on the probe, use only enough solution to dampen the swab or cloth. Do not use abrasive compounds on any part of the probe. TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

  • Page 91: Index

    Jaw damage, 17 Coupling modes, 34 Equipment setup, 56 Current limitations ESD damage, 2 amp-second product, 36 Extending the current range of the maximum continuous, 35 probes, 29 LEDs, flashing, 68 maximum pulsed, 35 Current loop, 55 TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...
  • Page 92 29 Menu-driven probe functions, 14 maximum current limits, 35 TekVPI, 2 saturation, 35 Test record, 63 setup menu, 15 Troubleshooting, 68 Null current, 27 Record, test, 63 Related documentation, xiv Offset TCP0030A Current Probe Instruction Manual...

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