HP 10430A Quick start guide

10400A
lATURE
E PROBES
HP 10430A
HP 10431A
HP 10432A
HP 10433A
HP 10434A
HP 10435A
HP 10436A
___ HP10437A
_ HP10438A
_ HP10439A
__ HP10440A
_ HP10441A
_ HP10442A
HP10443A

HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
CERTIFICATION
Hewlett-Packard Company certifies that this product met its published specifications at the time of
shipment from the factory. Hewlett-Packard further certifies that its calibration measurements are
traceable to the United States National Bureau of Standards, to the extent allowed by the Bureau’s
calibration facility, and to the calibration facilities of other International Standards Organization
members.
WARRANTY
This Hewlett-Packard product is warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a
period of one year from date of shipment. During the warranty period, Hewlett-Packard Company
will, at its option, either repair or replace products which prove to be defective.
For warranty service or repair, this product must be returned to a service facility designated by HP.
However, warranty service for products installed by HP and certain other products designated by
HP will be performed at Buyer’s facility at no charge within the HP service travel area. Outside HP
service travel areas, warranty service will be performed at Buyer’s facility only upon HP’s prior
agreement and Buyer shall pay HP’s round trip travel expenses.
For products returned to HP for warranty service, Buyer shall prepay shipping charges to HP and
HP shall pay shipping charges to return the product to Buyer. However, Buyer shall pay all
shipping charges, duties, and taxes for products returned to HP from another country.
P/O CWA584

HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
HP 10400A MINIATURE PASSIVE PROBES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction.... 1
Description. 2
Accessories Supplied. 2
Accessories Available... 3
Characteristics. 4
Safety Considerations. 7
Maintenance and Cleaning... 7
Bandwidth Considerations. 8
Probe Operation. 10
Compensation Adjustments. 13
Troubleshooting. 18
Disassembly/Assembly
Procedures.... 19
Replaceable Parts...20
List of Tables
Table 1. HP 10400A Probe Family
Characteristics. 6
Table 2. System Compatibility. 9
Table 3. Recommended Test Equipment. 16
Table 4. Replaceable Parts. 24
III

HP 1()400A OPERATING NOTE
List of Figures
Figure 1. HP 10400A in Use
with HP 10024ATest Clip ..
Figure 2. Miniature Sockets..
Figure 3. Probe with Insulating Barrel
and Grounding Spanner. 11
Figure 4. Probe Tip with
General Purpose Grabber. 12
Figure 5. Probe in Use with 1C Grabber.. 13
Figure 6. High-frequency Compensation
Test Setup.. 17
Figure 7. High-frequency Compensation
Adjustment Locations. 18
Figure 8. HP 10400A Replaceable Parts..... 23
IV
4^
CO

HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
INTRODUCTION
The HP 10400A Miniature Passive Probe family
offers modular construction and improved
reliability. Modular construction allows
individual replacement of probe tips, cables,
and chassis assemblies which reduce probe
replacement and repair costs. Improved cable
and strain relief design Increase reliability.
Hewlett-Packard miniature probes significantly
reduce the problem of probing densely
populated IC (integrated circuit) components
or the characteristically minute conductors on
IC boards. These small, lightweight probes
allow measurements that were previously very
difficult, while reducing the hazard of shorting.
The probe body fits in the hand as comfortably
as a pencil. Two accessories that further
simplify and improve connection to dual in-line
packages are the IC grabber (included
accessory) and the IC Test Clip (HP Model
10024A, available accessory).
DESCRIPTION
The HP 10400A Miniature Passive Probe family
consists of fourteen probes and includes: two
1:1 probes for high impedance inputs, eight
10:1 probes, one 100:1 probe for low
capacitance loading and large signals, and
three probes for oscilloscopes with 50 ohm
inputs. HP 10431A and HP 10441A include a
probe sensor on the chassis assembly that
enables HP 54111D and HP 54112D Digitizing
Oscilloscopes to read the probe attenuation
factor.
1

HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
ACCESSORIES SUPPLIED
The following accessories are supplied with
each probe of the HP 10400A family:
General Purpose Grabber. One general
purpose grabber is supplied with each probe
model. The general purpose grabber is
attached to the probe tip for use on 1C pins
and other typical circuit measurements. HP
Part Number 5061-6160,
Integrated Circuit Grabber. One integrated
circuit (IC) grabber is supplied with each probe
model. The IC grabber is attached to the
probe tip to allow easy and firm grip to an IC
without the hazard of shorting adjacent pins
on the IC. HP Part Number 5061-6161.
Ground Lead. One ground lead with alligator
clip is supplied with each probe model. The
ground lead has a ferrite bead included in its
construction which reduces noise In the
measured signal. HP Part Number 5061-6162.
Barrel Insulator. One barrel insulator is
supplied installed on the tip of each probe
model. The barrel insulator prevents possible
shorting of probe tip and circuitry. Use barrel
Insulator with the general purpose grabber for
correct fit of grabber.
Accessory Package. One accessory package
is supplied with each passive probe. The
accessory package contains: four grounding
spanners, one barrel insulator, eight colored
cable markers, and one adjustment
screwdriver.
2

ACCESSORIES AVAILABLE
The following accessories may be ordered for
use with the HP 10400A Miniature Passive
Probes:
HP Model 10024A. IC clip provides easy
probing and good high-frequency grounding of
dual in-line packages and includes four
insulated circuit interface pins. Additional
circuit interface pins are available in packages
of twelve pins. Each pin has a tip on the end
so that probes such as those on HP logic
analyzers may be connected for fast,
functional checks of circuit operation. The HP
10024A is shown in figure 1.
HP Model 10211 A. IC clip, same as HP
10024A except for 24-pin integrated circuits.
HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
Figure 1. HP 10400A in Use
with HP 10024A Test Clip
3

HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
HP Models 1250-2427 and 1250-2428. PC
(printed circuit) Board Miniature Sockets, ideal
for breadboard circuit applications where it is
desirable to make a reliable circuit connection
between the miniature probe tip and a test
circuit. (Soldering the probe tip in place is not
recommended.) The sockets are also useful in
production PC board applications as an
oscilloscope test point. The HP 1250-2427
plugs into the socket parallel to the circuit.
CHARACTERISTICS
Operating and general characteristics of the
HP 10400A Miniature Passive Probes are listed
in table 1.
4

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HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
Table 1. HP 10400A Probe Family Characteristics
FREQUENCY
Voltage Versus Frequency
Rating Curve (High-Z-Probes)
Approximate Propagation Delay; 5 ns/metre
Maximum Input; 450 Volts (dc + peak ac)
Except-10437A 5 Volts (dc+ac RMS)
10442A 10 Volts (dc+ac RMS)
10443A 15 Volts (dc+ac RMS)
OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Temperature; -25°Cto+65°C
Humidity; to 95% relative to +40°C
Altitude; to 4.6 km (15,000 ft)
Shock; 50 g (400 g tip only) 1/2
1/2 sine wave
WEIGHT; 87.9 g (3.1 oz) 1-metre cable with
all accessories
Table 1. HP 10400A Probe Family Characteristics (continued)
5

HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
HP PROBE
PROBE
PROBE
DIVISION
CABLE
MODEL
INPUT C
INPUT R
RATIO
LENGTH
10430A
6.5 pF
1 Megohm
10 :1
1 METER
10431A
6.5 pF
1 Megohm
10
1
1 METER
10432A
7.5 pF
10 Megohm
10 1
1 METER
10433A
10 pF
10 Megohm
10 1
2 METER
10434A
CO
10 Megohm
10
1
1 METER
10435A
7.5 pF
1 Megohm
10 1
1 METER
10436A
11 pF
10 Megohm
10 1
2 METER
10437A
NA
50 ohm
1
1
2 METER
10438A
40 pF
NA
1 1
1 METER
10439A
64 pF
NA
1 1
2 METER
10440A
2.5 pF
10 Megohm
100
1
2 METER
10441A
9pF
1 Megohm
10 1
2 METER
10442A
1.2 pF
500 ohm
10 1
2 METER
10443A
1.2 pF
1000 ohm
20
1
2 METER
OSCILLOSCOPE
INPUT R
1 Megohm
1 Megohm
1 Megohm
1 Megohm
1 Megohm
1 Megohm
1 Megohm
50 ohm
NA
NA
1 Megohm
1 Megohm
50 ohm
50 ohm
6
NA = Not Applicable

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
WARNING I
These probes are designed for use with
oscilloscopes that have a common
terminal at GROUND POTENTIAL (in
accordance with the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration and the
National Electric Code). Exposed
metallic surfaces of the probe and
oscilloscope MUST BE GROUNDED.
Failure to ground the common terminal
during certain applications, such as
those requiring the oscilloscope to be
powered from an external battery, might
expose the operator to an electrical
HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
shock hazard that could be lethal
(depending on voltage and current
conditions).
MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING
Maintenance of the probes consists of
cleaning, adjustment, and parts replacement.
The probes may be cleaned with a soft cloth
and a mild detergent diluted with water.
Cleaning with alcohol or a harsh detergent
may damage the surface of the probe parts.
Adjustment procedures and numbers for
ordering replaceable parts are included in this
operating note.
7

HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
BANDWIDTH CONSIDERATIONS
The HP 10400A Miniature Probes span three
bandwidths. The HP 10430A/31 A/41 A are
designed for use with oscilloscopes having
bandwidths of up to 500 MHz. The HP
10432A/33A/35A/40A are designed for
oscilloscopes with bandwidths up to 300 MHz,
and the HP 10434A/36A are used with
oscilloscopes with bandwidths up to 100 MHz.
The dominant probe limitation to system
bandwidth is its input capacitance, assuming
the high-frequency compensation adjustments
have been made. Displayed bandwidth of
any measurement system using an oscilloscope
and probe is determined by four factors: probe
input capacitance, source impedance, source
bandwidth and oscilloscope bandwidth.
The system bandwidth when using the 50 ohm
probes {10437A/42A/43A) with a 50 ohm test
source is generally the bandwidth of the
oscilloscope up to 1 GHz approximately.
Table 2 is a list of the HP 10400A probes and
the specifications of oscilloscopes that are
compatible with the probes.
8

HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
4
Table 2. System Compatibility
HP PROBE
MODEL
OSCILLOSCOPE
INPUT C
OSCILLOSCOPE
INPUT R
MAXIMUM
BANDWIDTH
10430A
6-9pF
1 Megohm
500 MHz
10431A
6 - 9 pF
1 Megohm
500 MHz
10432A
10-16pF
1 Megohm
300 MHz
10433A
10-16pF
1 Megohm
300 MHz
10434A
18-22 pF
1 Megohm
100 MHz
10435A
10-16pF
1 Megohm
300 MHz
10436A
18-22 pF
1 Megohm
100 MHz
10437A
NA
50 ohm
NA
10438A
NA
NA
NA
10439A
NA
NA
NA
10440A
6-14pF
1 Megohm
300 MHz
10441A
6 - 9 pF
1 Megohm
500 MHz
10442A
NA
50 ohm
NA
10443A
NA
50 ohm
NA
9

HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
PROBE OPERATION
CAUTION [
Do not solder probe tip to any surface.
Soldering will damage probe tip.
The probe tip may be used without any
accessories for probing in hard-to-get places.
The cable strain relief may be snapped out of
position and slid back on the cable when
using two or more probes in close proximity,
as in figure 1. When using the probe in the
subminiature mode, care must be taken to
avoid shorting components in the circuit
where probing.
The insulating barrel (supplied accessory) may
be used to cover the tip ground shield to
prevent the hazard of shorting when
probing within a circuit. The insulating barrel
has two positions: the first position covers the
ground shield by the probe tip and the second
position exposes the ground shield at the
probe tip. A grounding spanner may then be
added to the probe tip and still make contact
with the ground shield.
^AUTIOI^
If using the probe without any
accessories, use caution because the
probe could cause a short if it is
dropped within the circuit.
Probe Tip with Ground
The probe may be used without either
supplied grabber for point-to-point probing.
Ground the probe by attaching the ground

lead (MP3) or a grounding spanner (both
supplied accessories). Either accessory
provides reference for a ground point. To
avoid possible shorting of other circuitry, use
the barrel insulator (supplied accessory) in
conjunction with the ground lead or grounding
spanner. Figure 3 is the probe in use with the
barrel insulator and a grounding spanner.
To install the barrel insulator, press on with the
wider end of the insulator to the probe body.
Press the grounding spanner on and twist a
few times to ensure it is fully mounted. When
used with only the insulating barrel and a
grounding spanner, the probe is in its
submlniature mode of operation and a very
short ground lead is obtained.
HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
Figure 3. Probe with Insulating Barrel
and Grounding Spanner
11

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HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
Probe Tip with General Purpose
Grabber
The genera! purpose grabber (MP1) is used for
most typical in-circult probing and ICs. Attach
the ground lead (MP3) to the probe and then
the insulating barrel and the general purpose
grabber, as in figure 4. Attach the grabber to a
probing point by pressing the grabber body
towards the probe body, placing hook tip of
grabber around probing point, and releasing
the grabber body.
Figure 4. Probe Tip with Genera!
Purpose Grabber
12

HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
sUaacMCt amiy ■
Probe Tip with 1C Grabber
The (C grabber (MP2) is mounted across an 1C
to probe a single pin of an 1C without hazard
of shorting adjacent pins. Install the 1C grabber
by holding the inner body of the 1C grabber
and pressing firmly onto probe tip until a
positive click is heard. The 1C grabber may
also be used with the ground lead. The 1C
grabber is shown across an 1C in figure 5.
To attach 1C grabber to 1C: place forefinger
over holder on bottom of 1C grabber, place
thumb on spring activated outer-body trigger,
and press outer body away from inner body of
the grabber.
To remove 1C grabber from probe tip: grasp
grabber on inner body (above the spring
activated outer body) and firmly pull away from
probe tip.
Figure 5. Probe in Use with 1C Grabber
To release 1C grabber from 1C, use same
procedure that attaches the grabber to 1C.
13

HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
COMPENSATiON ADJUSTMENTS
The miniature probes require two adjustment
procedures: one for low-frequency
compensation and one for high-frequency
compensation. Low-frequency compensation
is an operating adjustment and high-frequency
compensation is accomplished periodically,
according to maintenance schedules.
Low-frequency compensation must be
performed before performing high-frequency
compensation.
NOTE
Low-frequency compensation is adjusted
when the probe is first connected to the
oscilloscope. Probe compensation will
usually hold over all the ranges when
used with a Hewlett-Packard
oscilloscope. If the input capacitance of
the oscilloscope changes as ranges are
switched, compensation must be
adjusted each time a new range is
selected.
Low-frequency Compensation
Most Hewlett-Packard oscilloscopes have a
calibrator (square-wave) output suitable for
low-frequency compensation. If your
oscilloscope does not have such an output,
use a square-wave generator set for an
approximate 1 -2 kHz output.
To accomplish low-frequency compensation,
proceed with the following steps:
14

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1. Connect probe to oscilloscope.
2. Connect probe tip to oscilloscope
calibrator output (or square-wave
generator).
3. Adjust oscilloscope to display 6 divisions
of amplitude.
4. Use adjustment tool (supplied accessory)
to adjust C1 (through opening in cover of
probe chassis) for the flattest possible
pulse top.
HP 10400A OPERATING NOTE
High-frequency Compensation
The purpose of high-frequency compensation
in probes is to nullify probe rise time loss other
than that added by the probe input
capacitance.
High-frequency compensation requires an
external 10 kHz pulse generator with a rise
time compatible to the system (oscilloscope
and probe). Refer to table 3 for required
transition time of pulse generator before
preforming high-frequency compensation
adjustments. Any pulse generator meeting
the given specification may be used for this
adjustment.
15

NOTE
Adjust for low-frequency
compensation before performing
high-frequency compensation or
adjustment may not be accurate.
To accomplish high-frequency compensation
proceed with the following steps:
1. Using 50-ohm coaxial cable, connect pulse
generator directly to channel input
connector on oscilloscope. Terminate
oscilloscope into 50 ohms.
2. Verify that both channels of oscilloscope
meet their published rise time/perturbation
specifications.