ETS-Lindgren L.P. reserves the right to make changes to any products herein to improve functioning,
design, or for any other reason. Nothing contained herein shall constitute ETS-Lindgren L.P. assuming any
liability whatsoever arising out of the application or use of any product or circuit described herein.
ETS-Lindgren L.P. does not convey any license under its patent rights or the rights of others.
The ETS-Lindgren Bulk Current Injection Probe series is used to
inject RF current into conductors and cables of electrical and
electronic equipment undergoing susceptibility testing.
The Bulk Current Injection Probe provides a means of applying a
controlled RF stress level to an instrument under test (IUT)
through interconnecting cables or power cables without requiring a
direct connection to the conductor(s) of interest. The models in
this series are simply clamped around the test conductor which
then becomes a one turn secondary winding, with the current probe
forming the core and primary winding of an RF transformer. RF
energy can be injected onto single and multi-conductor cables,
grounding and bonding straps, outer conductors of shielding
conduits and coaxial cables, etc.
The bulk current injection probe series is especially designed to
provide minimum insertion loss over the following frequency
ranges:
Model Number Frequency Range Useful Range
95236-1 0.1 to 10 MHz 0.01 to 100 MHz
95242-1 2 to 400 MHz 2 to 400 MHz
95252-1 450 to 900 MHz 20 to 1000 MHz
Table 1
Because of the high efficiency design, the injection probes can also
The principal use of the bulk current injection probe is for inducing
relatively large RF currents into the signal and power circuits of
equipment under test for conducted susceptibility. A secondary
application would be to use the same probe in a more familiar role
as a sensor for measuring weak conducted RF currents.
CONDUCTED SUSCEPTIBILITY
Conducted susceptibility testing is intended to insure that RF
signals, when coupled on to interconnecting cables and power
supply lines of an IUT, will not cause malfunction or degradation
of performance. In addition, this testing can provide an amplitude
vs. frequency malfunction signature for the system which, when
compared with the levels of current on the cables in a typical
operating environment, can assist in the determination of adequate
safety margins.
TYPICAL TEST SETUP
Typical conducted susceptibility tests require that all power and
interconnecting cables be tested by subjecting them to the required
current or voltage levels, while monitoring the applied current
using a current probe. Usually, a reference level calibration is
performed using a calibration jig with a specified impedance. This
reference curve is then replayed to expose the IUT to a controlled
stress level, while a current probe is used to insure that a low
impedance IUT is not overstressed.
Note: Some tests may allow the reference calibration to be
performed at a lower level and then scaled up to the required
power level when applied to the IUT.
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BULK CURRENT INJECTION PROBES Application
Archived 6/1/10
Entire cables or cable bundles may be tested, or each line may be
broken out and tested individually. Some standards may also
require simultaneous injection onto multiple cable bundles using
several injection probes. Absorbing clamps may be required to
isolate peripheral equipment from the IUT, and insure that only the
IUT is exposed to the required stress level. Refer to the pertinent
test standard for more specific details.
The current injection probe may also be used as a sensor for
measuring conducted emission. The RF current ((IP) in
microamperes) in the conductor under test is determined from the
measuring receiver reading of the probe output (in microvolts (ES))
divided by the probe transfer impedance ((ZT ) in ohms).
IP=ES/ZT
Or in dB,
IP(dBµA) = ES(dBµV) – ZT(dB)
The transfer impedance is determined by passing a known RF
current (IP) through the primary test conductor and noting the
voltage (ES) developed across a 50 Ohm load on the probe output.
probe should be used only on signal lines where heavy currents are
not encountered. Heavy currents may affect measurement
accuracy should current probe core saturation occur.
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BULK CURRENT INJECTION PROBES Conducted Emission
Archived 6/1/10
Typical transfer impedance values for the Model 95252-1 when
used as a sensor are:
Insertion loss of the 94242-1 Bulk Current Injection Probe may be
measured at low signal levels. ETS-Lindgren offers this
measurement as a calibration service, please contact our calibration
department for more information.
1. Connect the signal generator output directly to the RF
voltmeter input as show in Figure 3, indicated by the dashed
line, using the same cables which connected the calibration jig
and the injection probe under test. Tune to the test frequency
and adjust the signal level for a reference of 0 dBm indication
on the RF voltmeter.
2. Without changing control settings, connect the signal generator
output to the bulk current injection probe input and connect the
calibration jig connector to the RF voltmeter input.
3. Note the RF voltmeter output in dB. The difference between
this reading and 0 dB is the insertion loss. In this
measurement, the loss can not be less than 3 dB since half the
injected power is absorbed by the 50 Ohm termination that is
particularly loading (50%) the Calibration Jig.
Precautionary Measures BULK CURRENT INJECTION PROBES
Archived 6/1/10
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
CAUTION: RF fields can be hazardous. Observe appropriate RF
exposure limits.
When measuring conductors that are not insulated, use extreme
care when installing the current probe and taking measurements. If
possible, de-energize the test sample during assembly and
disassembly of the setup. Also, arrange to center the test
conductor in the current probe window for additional voltage
breakdown protection.
Do not permit the un-insulated current probe connector and cable
connectors to come in contact with the ground plane or other
nearby conductors. This will prevent possible measurement error
due to ground loops, and will avoid danger from high voltages.
Ensure that the 50 Ohm load is capable of safely dissipating the
incurred power. Should the load become disconnected, the
developed voltage will be come much greater and may be very
dangerous.
Note: The power limit of the 95236-1 probe is 100 W. Powers in excess of 75 W should be used with
care to avoid excessive temperature in the equipment under test. Prolonged testing should be
avoided, particularly if unattended.
Note: The power limit of the 95242-1 probe is 200 W. Powers in excess of 100 W should be used
with care to avoid excessive temperature in the equipment under test. Prolonged testing should be
avoided, particularly if unattended.
Note: The power limit of the 95252-1 probe is 100 W. Powers in excess of 75 W should be used with
care to avoid excessive temperature in the equipment under test. Prolonged testing should be
avoided, particularly if unattended.
Bulk Injection
Useful Range Insertion Loss (Typical)
Probe
dB Range
95236-1 10 kHz—100 MHz <-15 dB
-35 db ± 3 dB
95242-1 2 MHz—400 MHz <-15 dB 10 MHz – 400 MHz
95252-1 400 MHz—1 GHz <-12 dB
Supporting Equipment BULK CURRENT INJECTION PROBES
Archived 6/1/10
SUPPORTING EQUIPMENT
The following equipment is often required when using the
Model 95242-1 to perform susceptibility tests.
Optional Injection Probe
The Model 93686-1 Current Probe with a 6.6 cm window
diameter may be used as a bulk current injection probe over
the frequency range 50 kHz to 2 MHz.
Model 95241-1 Calibration Jig
The Model 95241-1 Calibration Jig is used in equipment
setup for measuring insertion loss of the current injection
probe and is essential to equipment setup of some
susceptibility test procedures.
Current Monitoring Probes
Suggested monitoring current probes are Models 91550-1
(10 kHz to 100 MHz) and 94111-1 (1 MHz to 1 GHz).
Models 91550-1 and 94111-1 have a 1.25 inch (3.2 cm)
window size and a transfer impedance of 0.5 to 6 ohms
over the 50 kHz to 400 MHz frequency range.
Please consult the Sales Department for sizes and
sensitivities of other current probes.
To ensure reliable and repeatable long term performance
annual recalibration of your current probe by ETSLindgren’s experienced technicians is recommended. Our
staff can recalibrate almost any type or brand of current
probe. Please call to receive a Service Order Number prior
to sending a current probe to us for calibration.
For more information about our calibration services or to
place an order for current probe calibration visit our
calibration website at www.ets-lindgren.com and follow the
links.
ETS-Lindgren, L.P., hereinafter referred to as the Seller, warrants that standard EMCO products
are free from defect in materials and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from date of
shipment. Standard EMCO Products include the following:
v Antennas, Loops, Horns
v GTEM cells, TEM cells, Helmholtz Coils
v LISNs, PLISNs, Rejection cavities & Networks
v Towers, Turntables, Tripods & Controllers
v Field Probes, Current Probes, Injection Probes
If the Buyer notifies the Seller of a defect within the warranty period, the Seller will, at the Seller’s
option, either repair and/or replace those products that prove to be defective.
There will be no charge for warranty services performed at the location the Seller designates.
The Buyer must, however, prepay inbound shipping costs and any duties or taxes. The Seller will
pay outbound shipping cost for a carrier of the Seller’s choice, exclusive of any duties or taxes. If
the Seller determines that warranty service can only be performed at the Buyer’s location, the
Buyer will not be charged for the Seller’s travel related costs.
This warranty does not apply to:
v Normal wear and tear of materials
v Consumable items such as fuses, batteries, etc.
v Products that have been improperly installed, maintained or used
v Products which have been operated outside the specifications
v Products which have been modified without authorization
v Calibration of products, unless necessitated by defects
THIS WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE. NO OTHER WARRANTY, WRITTEN OR ORAL, IS
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE REMEDIES
PROVIDED BY THIS WARRANTY ARE THE BUYER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES.
IN NO EVENT IS THE SELLER LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.
Note: Please contact the Seller’s sales department for a Return Materials Authorization (RMA)
number before shipping equipment to us.