TCP0030
120 MHz, 30 A AC/DC Current Probe
Instruction Manual
www.tektronix.com
071-1812-00
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. Specifications and price change privileges reserved.
TEKTRONIX and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.
Contacting Tektronix
Tektronix, Inc.
14200 SW Karl Braun Drive
P.O . Bo x 5 0 0
Beaverton, OR 97077
USA
For product information, sales, service, and technical support:
In North America, call 1-800-833-9200.
Worldwide, visit www.tektronix.com to find contacts in your area.
Warranty 2
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. Parts, modules and replacement products used by Tektronix for
warranty work may be new or reconditioned to like new performance. All replaced parts, modules and products become the property of Tektronix.
In order to obtain service under this warranty, Customer must notify Tektronix of the defect before the expiration of the warranty period and ma ke
suitable arrangements for the performance of service. Customer shall be responsible for packaging and shipping the defective product to the service
center designated by Tektronix, with shipping charges prepaid. Tektronix shall pay for the return of the product to Customer if the shipment is to a
location within the country in which the Tektronix service center is located. Customer shall be responsible for paying all shipping charges, duties,
taxes, and any other charges for products returned t o any other locations.
This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or damage caused by improper use or improper or inadequate maintenance and care. Tektronix
shall not be obligated to furnish service under this warranty a) to repair damage resulting from attempts by personnel other than Tektronix
representatives to install, repair or service the product; b) to repair damage resulting from improper use or connection to incompatible equipment; c) to
repair any damage or malfunction caused by the use of non-Tektronix supplies; or d) to service a product that has been modified or integra ted with
other products when the effect of such modification or integration increases the time or difficulty of servicing the product.
THIS WARRANTY IS GIVEN BY TEKTRONIX WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT IN LIEU OF ANY O THER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. TEKTRONIX’ RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DEFE CTIVE PRODUCTS IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY
PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER FOR BREACH O F THIS WARRANTY. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER TEKTRONIX OR THE VENDOR HAS
ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Table of Contents
General Safety Summary .. ................................................................................................................. v
Service Safety Summary .................................................................................................................. vii
Environmental Considerations ............................................................................................................ viii
Preface....................................................................................................................................... x
Documentation......................................................................................................................... x
Conventions Used in this Manual .....................................................................................................x
Returning the Probe for Servicing .................................................................................................... xi
Key Features ............................................................................................................................... 1
Installation .................................................................................................................................. 2
Connecting to the Host Instrument ................................................................................................... 2
Degaussing the Probe................................................................................................................ 3
Probe Controls and Indicators ........................................................................................................ 5
Functional Check.......................................................................................................................... 10
Basic Operation............................................................................................................................ 11
Application Examples...................................................................................................................... 13
Inductance Measurements .......................................................................................................... 14
Measuring Inductor Turns Count .................................................................................................... 17
Table of Contents
Accessories and Options.................................................................................................................. 19
Using Sta ndard Accessories .. ...................................................................................................... 19
TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual i
Table of Contents
Probing Principles ......................................................................................................................... 26
Specifications.............................................................................................................................. 39
Performance Verification .................................................................................................................. 50
Optional Accessories ................................................................................................................ 22
Options ............................................................................................................................... 25
Degaussing a Probe with an Unpowered Conductor in the Jaws .. ................................................................ 26
Measuring Differential Current....................................................................................................... 27
Extending Current Range............................................................................................................ 29
Increasing Sensitivity ................................................................................................................ 32
Common M ode Noise/Magnetic Field Errors........................................................................................ 33
AC and DC Coupling.................................................................................................................34
Maximum Current Limits............................................................................................................. 35
Warranted Characteristics ........................................................................................................... 40
Typical Characteristics............................................................................................................... 41
Nominal Characteristics ............................................................................................................. 47
Certifications and Compliances ..................................................................................................... 47
Equipment Required................................................................................................................. 51
Making the DC Current Loop . .. ..................................................................................................... 52
Equipment Setup..................................................................................................................... 53
DC Gain Accuracy ................................................................................................................... 54
Rise Time and Bandwidth . .......................................................................................................... 59
TestRecord .......................................................................................................................... 62
ii TCP0030 Current Pro be Instruction Manual
Table of Contents
Adjustments................................................................................................................................ 63
Equipment Required................................................................................................................. 63
Equipment Setup..................................................................................................................... 63
DC Gain Accuracy ................................................................................................................... 64
Maintenance ............................................................................................................................... 66
Troubleshooting. . .................................................................................................................... 66
Cleaning.............................................................................................................................. 67
Repairing the Probe ................................................................................................................. 68
Probe Head Disassembly............................................................................................................69
Replacement......................................................................................................................... 72
Reassembly.......................................................................................................................... 76
Replaceable Parts ................................................................................................................... 77
Index
TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual iii
Table of Contents
iv TCP0030 Current Pro be Instruction Manual
General Safety Summary
Review the following safety precautions to avoid injury and prevent dama ge to this product or any products con nected to it.
To avoid potential hazards, use this product only as sp ecified.
Only qualified personnel should pe rform service procedures.
To Avoid Fire or Personal Injury
Connect and Disconnect Properly. Do not connect or disconnect probes or test leads while they are connected to a voltage
source.
Connect and Disconnect Properly. De-energize the circuit under test before connecting or disconnecting the current probe.
Connect and Disconnect Properly. Connect the probe output to the measurement instrument before connecting the probe to the
circuit under test. Conne ct the probe reference lead to the circuit under test before connecting the probe input. Disconnect the probe
input and th e probe reference lead from the circuit under te st before disconnecting the probe from the measurement instrument.
Observe All Terminal R atings. To avoid fire or shock hazard, observe all ratings and markings on the product. Consult the
product manual for further ratings information before making connections to the product.
Do not connect a current probe to any wire that carries voltages above the current probe voltage rating.
Do Not Operate Without Covers. Do not operate this product with covers or panels removed.
Do Not Operate With Suspected Failures. If you suspect that there is damage to this product, have it inspected by qualified
service personnel.
General Safety Summary
Avoid Exposed Circuitry. Do not touch exposed connections and components when power is present.
TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual v
General Safety Summary
Do Not Operate in Wet/Damp Conditions.
Do Not Operate in an Explosive Atmosphere.
Keep Product Surfaces Clean and Dry.
TermsinthisManual
These terms may appear in this manual:
WARNING. Warning statements identify conditions or practices that could result in injury or loss of life.
CAUTION. Caution statements identify condition s or practices that could result in damage to this product or other property.
Symbols and Terms on the Product
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.
The following symbols may appear on the product:
vi TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual
Service Safety Summary
Only qualified perso nnel should perform service procedures. Read this Service Safety S ummary and the General Safety Summary
before performing any service procedures.
Do Not Service Alone. Do not perform internal service or adjustments of this product u nless another person capable of
rendering first aid and resuscitation is pre sent.
Disconnect Power. To avoid electric shock, switch off the instrument power, then disconnect the power cord from the mains
power.
Use Care When Servicing With Power On. 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.
Service Safety Summa ry
TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual vii
Environmental Considerations
Environmental Considerations
This section provides information about the environmental impact of the prod uct.
Product End-of-Life Handling
Observe the following guidelines when recycling an instrument or compo nent:
Equipment Recycling. Production of this equipment required the extraction and use of natural resources. The equipment may
contain substances that could be harmful to the environment or human health if improperly handled at the product’s end of life. In
order to avoid release of such substances into the environment and to reduce the use of natural resources, we encourage you to
recycle this product in an appropriate system that will ensure that most of the materials are reused or recycled appropriately.
The symbol shown below indicates that this product complies with the European Union’s requirements according to Directive
2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). For information about recycling options, check the
Support/Service section of the Tektronix Web site (www.tektronix.com).
viii TCP0030 Current Pro be Instruction Manual
Environmental Considerations
Restriction of Hazardous Substances
This product has been classified as Monitoring and Control equip ment, and is outside the scope of the 2002/95/EC RoHS Directive.
This product is known to contain lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium.
TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual ix
Preface
Preface
This manual describes the installation and operation of the TCP0030 current probe. Basic probe operations and con cepts are
presented in this manual. You can also access the Tektronix Web site for this document and other related information.
Documentation
To read about Use these documents
TCP0030 Probe: First Time Operation, Functional Check,
Operating B asics, Specifications, Performance Verification
In-depth oscilloscope operation, user interface help, GPIB
commands
*
To access the documentation that is installed on your instrument, click Start in the taskbar and select Programs > TekApplications.
Read this Instruction Manual.
Access the online help from the Help menu on the host
instrument.
*
Conventions Used in this Manual
The following icon is used throughout this manual to indicate a step sequence.
x TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual
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
carton having inside dimensions at
least one inch greater than the probe
dimensions. The box should have a carton
test strength of at least 200 pounds.
2. Put the probe into an antistatic bag or wrap
it to protect it from dampness.
3. Place the probe into the box and stabilize it
with light packing material.
4. Seal the carton with shipping tape.
5. Refer to Contacting Tektronix at the
beginning of this manual for the shipping
address.
Preface
TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual xi
Preface
xii TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual
Key Features
You can use the TCP0030 current probe to make accurate measuremen ts from DC to 120 MHz. The probe combines proven
Hall-effect techn ology with the new Tektronix TekVPI oscilloscope interface. Key features include:
>120 MHz bandwidth, <2.92 ns rise time
AC/DC Measurement capability
50 A peak pulse current (pulse widths
<10 μs)
5 A and 30 A range settings
1 mA sensitivity (on TekVPI oscilloscopes
that support the 1 mV/div setting)
1% DC Accuracy (typical)
One-button degauss/autozeroing
Probe control through the TekVPI
oscilloscope menus or remotely through
the oscilloscope
Direct scaling and unit readout on host
instruments
Key Features
AC coupling (on TekVPI oscilloscopes that
support AC coupling)
TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual 1
Installation
Installation
Connecting to the Host Instrument
CAUTION. The probe head is a precision assembly. Do not drop the probe or subject it to physical shock, strain, or sudden changes
in ambien t conditions. Do not insert conductors larger than 3.8 mm diameter into the probe jaw. Damage to the pro be may result.
1. Slide the probe into the TekVPI receptacle.
The probe snaps in when fully engaged.
2. To disconnect, press the latch button and
pull the probe away from the instrument.
When the probe is connected, the host
instrument reads information from the probe
and id entifies the device. All of the probe LEDs
light briefly for a quick visual check.
2 TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual
Degaussing the Probe
1. After the probe is identified by the host
instrument, the screen display prompts you
to run a degauss routine.
The multicolor Degauss/AutoZero status
LED on the probe also indicates that a
degauss is needed, by flashing red.
2. To degauss the probe, press the
Degauss/AutoZero button on the probe
or in the Degauss window on the host
instrument.
NOTE. The DC gain and offset errors are not
guaranteed when this LED flashes red.
3. The mu lticolor Degauss/AutoZero status
LED glows green to indicate a successful
degauss routine was run, and that the
probe is in normal operating mode.
Installation
TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual 3
Installation
Quick Tip
To maintain measurement accuracy, degauss
your probe in each of the se cases:
After you turn on the measurement system
and allow a 20-minute warm-up period
Before yo u 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
4 TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual
Probe Controls and Indicators
When the probe is powered on, all of the
indicator LEDs light briefly, and at lea st two
LEDs remain lighted—one to indicate the
current range selected and one to display the
Degauss/AutoZero status.
NOTE. Theprobewillretaintherangestate
and w ill restore it when it is power cycled.
Jaw Open LED
1. If the Jaw Open LED glows, the probe
slider is unlocked.
2. Lock the probe slider to accurately measure
current or to degauss the probe.
CAUTION. Do not measure condu ctors larger
than 3.8 mm diameter. Damage to the probe
jaws may result.
Installation
TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual 5
Installation
Overload LED
The multicolor Overload LED alerts you that
the probe specifications are being exceeded.
When the LED:
Glows red, the maximum input continuous
current limit has been exceeded
Glows orange, the safe operating
temperature of the probe has been
exceeded
Flashes red and orange, both the
maximum input continuous current limit
and the safe operating temperature of the
probe have been exceeded
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.
6 TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual
Range Button
1. Press the Range button to select between
the 5 A and 30 A current range settings.
The gree n LEDs indicate the range
selected. The range and units are also
displayed on the oscilloscope screen.
Installation
TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual 7
Installation
Degauss/AutoZero
When the multicolor Degauss/AutoZero status
LED flashes red, you must degauss the probe.
If th e LED flashes orange, you should degauss
the probe. The DC gain and offset errors are
not guaranteed when this LED flashes orange.
The Degauss/AutoZero function also clears
(AutoZeroes) any DC offset in the probe.
To degauss the probe, do the following:
1. Disconnect the probe from the current
source.
2. Press the Degauss/AutoZero button to
initiate the degauss routine.
The LED glows green a fter successfully
completing the Dega uss/Aut oZero routine.
8 TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual
Menu Button
1. Press the Menu buttontodisplaytheProbe
Setup screen on the o scilloscope.
Use this screen to check or change the
settings on your probe.
NOTE. The Probe Setup screen may include
buttons to a cce ss other probe information,
depending on the oscilloscope model.
2. Press the Menu button again to close the
Probe Setup screen.
Installation
TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual 9
Functional Check
Functional Check
The following procedure checks that your probe is functioning properly. To verify that your probe meets the warranted specifications,
refer to the Performance Verification procedures. (See page 50.)
CAUTION. The probe jaw opening accommodates insulated c ond uctors with a diameter of 3.8 mm or less. Do not insert
conductors larger than 3.8 mm diameter into the probe jaw. Damage to the probe may result.
To check that your probe functions correctly,
do the following:
1. Connect the probe to any channel of the
oscilloscope.
2. Press the Degauss/AutoZero button.
3. Clamp the probe to your circuit.
4. Set the oscilloscope to display the probe
channel.
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.
10 TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual
Basic Operation
CAUTION. Do not force con ductors larger than 3.8 mm into the probe jaws. Damage to the probe may result.
The mating surfaces of the probe head transformer are precision-polished and should be handled with care. Measurements may
be degraded by dirt on the mating surfaces of the probe head transformer. Refer to the Maintenance section of this manual for
information on how to properly clean the probe head transformer surfaces.
1. Check the oscilloscope display before
connecting the probe to a conductor.
If there is a DC offset, degauss the probe.
(See page 3, Degaussing the Probe.)
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.
Basic Operation
TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual 11
Basic Operation
Grounding the Probe
Use the Ground Lead to improve EMI rejection at high frequencies.
1. Clip the Ground Lead to the ground post at
2. Connect the alligator end of the clip to the
the bottom of the probe head.
DUT chassis ground.
12 TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual
Application Examples
This section explains ways to u se your probe in common troubleshooting tasks and how to extend the use of your measurement
system.
Application Examples
TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual 13
Application Examples
Inductance Measurements
You can use the current probe to m easure the inductance of coils that have either a low-impeda nce or high-impedance pulse
source of a known value.
Low-Impedance Pulse Sources
This figure shows a constant-voltage pulse
generator of extremely low output impedance
connected to an inductor that has low
resistance.
1. Connect the inductor across the output
terminals of the pulse generator.
2. Maintain a co nstant voltage across the
inductor.
3. Clamp the current probe over o ne 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.
14 TCP0030 Current Probe Instruction Manual
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