User's Guide
TA386
X1/X10
Max. 600 Vp
X1
X10
TA375 100 MHz oscilloscope probe
TA386 200 MHz oscilloscope probe
Introduction
This passive high-impedance oscilloscope probe is suitable for most
oscilloscopes with a 1 MΩ input impedance. The probe incorporates a twoposition slide switch in the head that selects attenuation of 1:1 or 10:1.
Sales and support
Pico Technology
Colmworth Business Park
St Neots
PE19 8YP
United Kingdom
Made in People's Republic of China.
Warranty
Pico Technology Ltd. ("Pico") warrants this oscilloscope accessory for normal
use and operation within specifications for a period of two years from date
of shipment and will repair or replace any defective product which was not
damaged by negligence, misuse, improper installation, accident or unauthorized
repair or modification by the buyer. This warranty is applicable only to defects
due to material or workmanship. Pico disclaims any other implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Pico will not be liable for any
indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages (including damages for
loss of profits, loss of business, loss of use or data, interruption of business and
the like), even if Pico has been advised of the possibility of such damages arising
from any defect or error in this manual or product.
Disposal
Your help and efforts are required to protect and keep our environment
clean. Therefore either return this product at the end of life to the
manufacturer or ensure WEEE compliant collection and treatment
yourself.
Safety
To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, personal injury, or damage to the
product, carefully read this safety information before attempting to install or
use the product. In addition, follow all generally accepted safety practices and
procedures for working with and near electricity.
The product has been designed and tested in accordance with the IEC61010-031
standard and left the factory in a safe condition.
The following safety descriptions are found throughout this guide:
A WARNING identifies conditions or practices that could result in injury or death.
A CAUTION identifies conditions or practices that could result in damage to the
product or equipment to which it is connected.
Symbols
These safety and electrical symbols may appear on the product or in this guide:
Symbol Description
Direct current
Earth (ground) terminal
Terminal can be used to make a
measurement ground connection.
The terminal is NOT a safety or
protective earth.
Possibility of electric shock
Caution
Appearance on the product
indicates a need to read these
safety and operation instructions.
Do not dispose of this product
as unsorted municipal waste.
WARNING
To prevent injury or death only qualified personnel should use this
product, only as instructed and with only accessories supplied or
recommended. Protection provided by the product may be impaired if
used in a manner not specified in this guide.
Maximum input ranges
The table and frequency derating plot below indicate the full-scale measurement
range and overvoltage protection range for these probes. The full-scale
measurement ranges are the maximum voltages that can be accurately
measured by the probe. The overvoltage protection ranges are the maximum
voltages that will not damage the probe.
WARNING
To prevent electric shock, do not connect the probe to voltages exceeding
the levels below and do take all necessary safety precautions when
working on equipment where hazardous live voltages may be present.
Attenuation
switch position
Full-scale measurement
range (for safe operation)
Overvoltage protection
(voltage that will not damage)
X10 600 V DC + peak AC 600 V DC + peak AC
X1 42.4 V DC + peak AC 200 V DC + peak AC
WARNING
To avoid overloading the probe, note that its maximum input voltage
rating decreases as the frequency of the applied signal increases.
Voltage v frequency rating curve
10 kHz
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
100 kHz 1 MHz 10 MHz 100 MHz 1 GHz
WARNING
This probe does not carry a measurement category rating. To prevent
electric shock, do not connect to a mains (line) voltage or a derived
voltage that can carry the overvoltage transients that may be present.
Measurement categories are defined in IEC 61010-031 as follows:
No Measurement Category (not in CAT II, III or IV)
Definition For measurements performed on circuits not directly connected
to a mains supply.
Grounding
WARNING
Never connect the ground input to, or allow it to touch, any electrical
potential other than ground. To prevent personal injury or death, use a
voltmeter to check that there is no significant AC or DC voltage between
the probe ground and the point to which you intend to connect it.
CAUTION
Applying a voltage to the ground input is likely to cause permanent
damage to the probe or other connected equipment.
It is good practice to connect the probe output to the measurement instrument
and the ground lead to earth ground before connecting the probe to the circuit
under test. Disconnect the probe input and the probe ground lead from the
circuit under test before disconnecting the probe from the measurement
instrument.
Environment
WARNING
To prevent injury or death, do not use near explosive gas or vapor.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the probe, do not use in wet or damp conditions
and always use and store your probe in appropriate environments.
Storage Operating
Temperature –20 °C to +60 °C 0 °C to +50 °C
Max. humidity
(non-condensing)
0 % to 90 %RH 0 % to 80 %RH
Max. altitude 15 000 m 2000 m
Pollution degree
2 (As defined in IEC 61010-031. Non-conductive
pollution with occasional temporary conductivity due to
condensation.)
Care of the product
The probe contains no user-serviceable parts. Repair, servicing and
calibration require specialized test equipment and must only be performed
by Pico or an approved service provider. There may be a charge for these
services unless covered by the Pico two-year warranty.
WARNING
To prevent injury or death, do not use the product if it appears to be
damaged in any way, and stop use immediately if you are concerned
by any abnormal behavior.
CAUTION
To prevent damage when cleaning the exterior of the probe, use a soft
cloth moistened with either distilled water or isopropyl alcohol. Before
use allow the probe to dry completely. Do not allow liquids to enter the
probe casings and ensure that the probe is completely dry before use.
Take care to avoid mechanical stress or tight bends on the
coaxial cable connecting the probe head to its interface box or
BNC connector. Mishandling could degrade performance and
measurement accuracy. Avoid mechanical shock to the probe in
general to guarantee accurate performance and protection.
To avoid injury from the sharp tip, handle with care.
Frequency compensation
Before taking any measurements using the probe, first check its
compensation and adjust it to match the channel inputs.
Connect the probe to a 2 V pk-pk, 1 kHz square wave source. Most PicoScope
oscilloscopes have a signal generator output marked GEN or AWG, which you
can configure to generate such a signal. Set the switch on the probe to the
X10 position. Adjust the trimmer until you see a flat-top square wave on the
display:
✓ CORRECT✗ INCORRECT✗ INCORRECT
Accessories and features
The probe is provided with several accessories designed to make probing
and measurement simpler. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with
these accessories and their uses.
Accessories included TA375 TA386
Retractable hook tip 1 1
Ground lead 1 1
Adjustment tool 1 1
Tip insulating sleeve 1 1
Cable marker 2 8
Optional accessories
Order code Description
TA384 Replacement rigid probe tips for TA375 and TA386, pack of 5
TA385 Replacement spring probe tips for TA375 and TA386, pack of 5
* WARNING. To avoid injury and equipment damage, use for ground
connections only.
WARNING. All accessories are safety-tested. Replace only with Pico
accessories.
Slide switch. Sets probe
attenuation.
Ground lead. Use the alligator
clip to attach the probe to a
ground reference.
Hook tip. Spring-loaded for
gripping wires and test points.
Adjustment tool. Use to adjust
the probe compensation.
BNC connector. Connect to the
oscilloscope measuring channel.
Locating sleeve. Ensures reliable and stable
contact with conductor under test.
Marker sleeves. Attach to the probe
cable to identify a channel.
DO310-1
Copyright (C) 2018 Pico Technology Ltd.
All rights reserved.
Specifications
Probe
characteristics
TA375 TA386
Slide switch position X1 X10 X1 X10
Attenuation ratio 1:1 10:1 1:1 10:1
Bandwidth 10 MHz 100 MHz 10 MHz 200 MHz
Rise time
(calculated)
35 ns 3.5 ns 35 ns 1.75 ns
Input resistance 1 MΩ* 10 MΩ ± 2% 1 MΩ* 10 MΩ ± 2%
Input capacitance 57 pF + C
S
**
15 pF 57 pF + C
S
**
15 pF
Max. working voltage 42.4 V pk 600 V pk-pk 42.4 V pk 600 V pk-pk
Compensation as
shipped
15 pF 15 pF
Compensation range 10 to 35 pF 10 to 35 pF
Total length 1.2 m nominal
Weight About 55 g
* equal to input resistance of oscilloscope
** scope capacitance
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