pico Technology TA133 User manual

8. Mar. 2011 DO189-1
TA133 500 MHz probe
User’s Manual

2© Copyright 2011 Pico Technology Ltd.All rights reserved DO189-1
Copyright © 2011 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
Information in this publication supersedes that in all previously published material.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Manufacturer
Pico Technology
James House
Marlborough Road, Colmworth Business Park
Eaton Socon, St Neots
Cambridgeshire PE19 8YP
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Warranty
Pico Technology 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 Technology disclaims
any other implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Pico Technology 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 Technology has been advised of
the possibility of such damages arising from any defect or error in this manual or product.

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© Copyright 2011 Pico Technology Ltd.All rights reserved
DO189-1
TA133-User’s Guide
Declaration of Conformity
(EC conformity marking)
The manufacturer declares the conformity of this product with the actual required safety standards in
accordance with the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2006/95/EC:
CEI/IEC 61010-031:2008 Safety requirements for electrical equipment
for measurement, control and laboratory use -
Part 031:
Safety requirements for hand-held probe
assemblies for electrical measurement and test
WEEE/ RoHS Directives
(EC conformity marking)
This electronic product is classified within the WEEE/ RoHS* category list as monitoring and control
equipment (category 9). Category 9 products are exempted from the restrictions under the scope of the
RoHS directive.
Your help and efforts are required to protect and keep clean our environment.Therefore return this
electronic product at the end of its life either to the manufacturer or take care of separate WEEE
collection and professional WEEE treatment yourself. Do not dispose as unsorted municipal waste!
* EC Directives:
WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC - Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC - Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances
in Electrical and Electronic Equipment

4© Copyright 2011 Pico Technology Ltd.All rights reserved DO189-1
TA133-User’s Guide
IEC Measurement Categories
Definitions and Examples (Clause 6.5.2)
Measurement Category I Definition: Measurement category I is for measurements performed
on circuits not directly connected to a mains supply.
Examples: Measurements in circuits not derived from a mains supply
and specially protected ( internal ) circuits derived
from a mains supply. In the latter case, transient stresses
are variable; for that reason it is required that the
transient withstand capability of the equipment is made
known to the user.
Measurement Category II Definition: Measurement category II is for measurements performed
CAT II on circuits directly connected to the low voltage
installation.
Examples: Household appliances, portable tools and similar
equipment.
Measurement Category III Definition: Measurement category III is for measurements
CAT III performed in the building installation.
Examples: Measurements on distribution boards, circuit breakers,
wiring including cables, bus-bars, junction boxes, switches,
socket-outlets in the fixed installation and equipment for
industrial use like for example stationary motors with per-
manent connection to the fixed installation.
Measurement Category IV Definition: Measurement category IV is for measurements
CAT IV performed at the source of the low-voltage installation.
Examples: Electricity meters and measurements on primary over
current protection devices and and ripple control units.

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© Copyright 2011 Pico Technology Ltd.All rights reserved
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TA133-User’s Guide
IEC Pollution Degrees
Definitions (Clause 3.5.6 )
Pollution Degree 1 No POLLUTION or only dry, non conductive POLLUTION.
NOTE:The POLLUTION has no influence.
Pollution Degree 2 Only- non conductive POLLUTION. Occasionally, however, a temporary
conductivity caused by condensation must be accepted.
Pollution Degree 3 Conductive POLLUTION occurs or dry, non-conductive POLLUTION occurs
which becomes conductive due to condensation which is to be expected.
IEC Safety Symbols
The following symbols may appear on the product or in this instruction manual:
Caution, risk of danger. Refer to manual.
Caution, risk of electric shock.
Earth (ground) TERMINAL.

6© Copyright 2011 Pico Technology Ltd.All rights reserved DO189-1
TA133-User’s Guide
Safety Information
To avoid personal injury and to prevent fire or damage to this product or products connected to it, review and
comply with the following safety precautions. Be aware that if you use this probe assembly in a manner not
specified the protection this product provides may be impaired.
Only qualified personnel should use this probe assembly.
Use only grounded instruments.
Do not connect the probe ground lead to a potential other than earth ground. Always make sure the probe
and the measurement instrument are grounded properly.
Connect and disconnect properly.
Connect the probe output to the measurement instrument and connect 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.
Observe probe ratings.
Do not apply any electrical potential to the probe input which exceeds the maximum ratings of the probe.
Make sure to comply with the voltage versus frequency derating curve on page 8.
Keep away from live circuits.
Avoid open circuitry. Do not touch connections or components when power is present.
Do not operate with suspected failures.
Refer to qualified service personnel.
Indoor use only.
Do not operate in wet/damp environment. Keep product surfaces dry and clean.
Do not operate the product in an explosive atmosphere.

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© Copyright 2011 Pico Technology Ltd.All rights reserved
DO189-1
TA133-User’s Guide
About the probe
The TA133 passive probe sets new standards in high-performance probing.
The compact design with only 2.5 mm housing diameter at the probe tip is ideal for measurements of SMT
components. It provides a much better visibility of the device under test than conventional 5 mm probe
housing designs.
A true Pico Technology feature is the exchangeable probe tip.The gold-plated spring contact and the rigid tip
are only 0.5 mm in diameter.Tip replacement is easy and gives the engineer a convenient choice.
The shortest possible ground connection is recommended, particularly for HF measurements on ICs. Due to
long ground leads, most conventional adaptors bring additional inductance and resonances into the measure-
ment which result in false or inaccurate readings.The innovative IC contacting system of the TA133 with 5 dif-
ferent IC adapters from 0.5 to 1.27 mm pitch, in combination with the ground blade and IC ground copper
pad, is the ideal solution for short-circuit-safe, reproducible, and authentic measurements.
These great advantages and over 30 accessories for the new TA133 offers a variety of configurations to solve
most adaptation needs.
IC contacting system with IC adapter, ground blade and
IC ground copper pad.

8© Copyright 2011 Pico Technology Ltd.All rights reserved DO189-1
TA133-User’s Guide
Specifications
Specifications not defined as "guaranteed" are typical and are published as general information for the user.The
instrument should have warmed up for at least 20 minutes and the environmental conditions should not
exceed the probe's specified limits.
Electrical Specifications
Attenuation Ratio (1) 10:1 ± 2 % at DC
Voltage Coefficient 0.0025 %/V (typical)
Probe Bandwidth 500 MHz (-3 dB)
Probe Risetime 700 ps (10 % - 90 %) (typical)
Maximum Rated Input Voltage (2)
Measurement category I: 400 V rms
1000 V transient overvoltage
Measurement category II: 300 V rms CAT II
Pollution Degree (2) 2
Voltage Derating
Note that the max. input voltage
rating of the probe decreases as
the frequency of the applied
signal increases.
(1) Connect to oscilloscope with an input impedance of 1 MΩ ± 1 %.
(2) As defined in IEC 61010-031. See definitions explained on page 4 and 5.
Typical Voltage Derating PML711
Measurement Category I
0
100
200
300
400
100k 1M 10M100M1G
Frequency [Hz]
Amplitude AC rms [V]sinus
Typical TA133 Voltage Derating
Measurement Category I
Amplitude AC rms V sine

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© Copyright 2011 Pico Technology Ltd.All rights reserved
DO189-1
TA133-User’s Guide
Specifications
Electrical Characteristics
Input Resistance (System) 10 MΩ ± 1 %
Input Capacitance (System) 9.5 pF (typical)
Compensation Range 10 pF - 25 pF (typical)
Input Coupling of the Measuring Instrument 1 MΩ AC / DC
Input Impedance
Note that the input impedance of
the probe decreases as the frequency
of the applied signal increases.
Mechanical Characteristics
Weight (probe only) 48 g
Cable Length 1.2 m
Probe Tip Diameter 2.5 mm
Environmental specifications
Altitude operating up to 2000 m
non-operating up to 15000 m
Temperature Range operating 0° C to +50° C
non-operating -40° C to +71° C
Maximum Relative Humidity operating 80 % relative humidity for temperatures up to +31° C,
decreasing linearly to 40 % at +50° C
Typical Input Impedance PML711
10
100
1k
10k
100k
1M
10M
100M
10 100 1k 10k 100k 1M 10M 100M 1G
Frequency [Hz]
|Z| [Ohm]
Typical TA133 Input Impedance

10 © Copyright 2011 Pico Technology Ltd.All rights reserved DO189-1
TA133-User’s Guide
Adjustment Procedures
The probe can be adjusted for low frequency (LF) compensation and for high frequency (HF) compensation.
LF Compensation
LF needs to be adjusted when the probe is connected to the oscilloscope input the first time. LF
compensation matches the probes cable capacitance to the oscilloscope input capacitance.This matching
assures good amplitude accuracy from DC to upper bandwidth limit frequencies.A poorly compensated probe
clearly influences the overall system performance (probe + scope) and introduces measurement errors
resulting in inaccurate readings and distorted waveforms.
LF compensation is performed by connecting the probe to the CAL – output on the oscilloscope front panel
and adjusting the LF compensation trimmer to optimum square wave response. For clarification see below
figures.
undercompensated optimum overcompensated
LF Compensation

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© Copyright 2011 Pico Technology Ltd.All rights reserved
DO189-1
TA133-User’s Guide
Adjustment Procedures
HF Compensation
It is typically not necessary to adjust HF compensation unless the probe is being used with an oscilloscope
having large differences in input characteristics from the oscilloscope that was used for factory adjustment. If
you intend to use this probe with an instrument other than the PicoScope 6400, you should check the probe's
high frequency response and adjust it if necessary.We recommend using the following equipment for proper
HF compensation:
Rectangular wave generator with a rise time faster than 700 ps, 50 ohm
feed-through and probe BNC adapter.
HF adjustment is performed by connecting the probe to the rectangu-
lar wave generator.Adjust trimmers (T1and T2) for optimum square
wave response.
T1is used for rise time adjustment.
T2influences probe response time.
LF Compensation T1
180° T2
optimum
T1 T2

12 © Copyright 2011 Pico Technology Ltd.All rights reserved DO189-1
TA133-User’s Guide
IC-Cap 2.5
0.65 mm pitch; blue
IC-Cap 2.5
0.5 mm pitch; green
PCBAdapter Kit 2.5
BNCAdapter 2.5
Self-adhesive
Cu Pads
( 2 x 2 cm )
Sprung Hook 2.5 - black
Protection Cap 2.5
IC-Cap 2.5
0.8 mm pitch; gray
IC-Cap 2.5
1.0 mm pitch; brown
IC-Cap 2.5
1.27 mm pitch; black
Insulating Cap 2.5
Set 5 Solid Tips
CuBe 0.5 mm
Set 5 Spring Tips
gold-plated 0.5 mm
2-Footed Positioner
Probe
DEVICE UNDER
TEST
Set Coding Rings
3x4 colors
Ground Blade 2.5
Ground Spring 2.5
Ground Lead 15 cm
Trimmer Tool T
Sprung Hook 2.5 short / 30VAC
black
Copper Layer
Drill Layer
5,8
( .228 )
1
(.039 )
5,8
( .228 ) 2
(.079)
1,5
(.059 )
Probe Accessories

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© Copyright 2011 Pico Technology Ltd.All rights reserved
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TA133-User’s Guide
Probe Accessories
Item TA064
spring
contact tips
TA065
advanced
accessory
kit
TA066
basic
accessory
kit
TA067
standard
accessory
kit
TA068
solid
probe
tips
Coding rings (set) 3x4 colors 1
Ground blade 2.5 1
Ground lead 15 cm 1 1 1
Ground spring 2.5 1
IC-Cap 2.5 0.5 mm pitch; green 1
IC-Cap 2.5 0.65 mm pitch; blue 1
IC Cap 2.5 0.8 mm pitch; grey 1
IC Cap 2.5 1.0 mm pitch; brown 1
IC Cap 2.5 1.27 mm pitch; black 1
Insulating cap 2.5 1 1
PCB adapter kit 2.5 1
Self-adhesive Cu pad 2 x 2 cm 2
Solid tip CuBe 0.5 mm 1 1 1 5
Spring tip gold plated 0.5 mm 5 1 1 1
Sprung hook 2.5 short / 30 VAC 1 1 1
Sprung hook 2.5 1 1 1
Trimmer Tool T 1 1
You can buy a range of kits containing accessories and spare parts for the TA133 probe. Contents of the
available kits are listed below.

14 © Copyright 2011 Pico Technology Ltd.All rights reserved DO189-1
TA133-User’s Guide Scope of Delivery
The following items are included in the scope of delivery. Please check the delivery for completeness. If any
item is missing, send a message to our service department and we will send you this item immediately.
Item Qty
Adjustment Tool T 1
Coding Rings (set) 3x4 Colors 1
Ground Blade 2.5 1
Ground Lead 11 cm 1
Ground Spring 2.5 1
IC-Cap 2.5 0.5 mm pitch; green 1
IC-Cap 2.5 0.65 mm pitch; blue 1
IC-Cap 2.5 0.8 mm pitch; grey 1
IC-Cap 2.5 1.0 mm pitch; brown 1
IC-Cap 2.5 1.27 mm pitch; black 1
Instruction Manual 1
Insulating Cap 2.5 1
PCB Adapter Kit 2.5 1
Probe 1
Protection Cap 2.5 1 (1)
self adhesive Cu Pad (2 x 2 cm) 2
Solid Tip CuBe 0.5 mm 1
Spring Tip gold plated 0.5 mm 1 (2)
Sprung Hook 2.5 1
(1) plugged on probe
(2) installed in probe
Use ground lead only for connections to earth ground.
The BNC Adapter is rated: 42 V pk AC + DC
The accessories provided with the probe have been safety tested. Do not use
any other accessories than those originally provided.

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© Copyright 2011 Pico Technology Ltd.All rights reserved
DO189-1
TA133-User’s Guide
Handling
Handle with care especially when fitted with the extra thin and sharp spring contact tip to avoid
any injury. Note that the probe cable is a sensitive part of the probe. Do not damage through
excessive bending or pulling.Avoid mechanical shock to this product in general to guarantee
accurate performance and protection.
Maintenance
Cleaning
To clean 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.
Changing the Probe Tip
To change the probe tip use pliers to grip and pull it carefully straight out of its contact socket, along the
axis of the probe. Do not grip the white plastic insulator or the housing with pliers, because the tip could be
squeezed and made impossible to remove. The probe could be damaged.
If the probe tip is removed, the new tip can be inserted with pliers into the contact socket, along the axis
of the probe. In order to insert the probe tip completely into the housing, press the probe tip carefully against
a hard
surface.
Use pliers to grip and pull the probe tip carefully out
of its contact socket.
Do not grip the white plastic insulator or the probe
housing with pliers.

8. Mar. 2011 DO189-1
TA133 500 MHz probe
User’s Manual

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