pico Technology TA041 User manual

TA041 25 MHz ±700 V x10/x10025 MHz ±700 V x10/x100
TA042 100 MHz ±1400 V x100/x1000100 MHz ±1400 V x100/x1000
TA043 100 MHz ±700 V x10/x100100 MHz ±700 V x10/x100
TA044 70 MHz ±7000 V x100/x100070 MHz ±7000 V x100/x1000
TA057 25 MHz ±1400 V x20/x20025 MHz ±1400 V x20/x200
User’s Guide
Differential probes
www.picotech.com

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Differential Probes User’s Guide
Copyright © 2015–2023 Pico Technology Ltd iii
Contents
1. Description 1
2. Safety 1
3. Installation 5
4. Appearance 6
5. TA531 USB to DC power lead 7
6. Overrange indicator 7
7. Specications 8
8. Deratingcurves 9
9. Testprocedure 10
10. Calibration 10
11. Zero probe offset 11
12. Cleaning 11

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1. Description
TA041,TA042,TA043,andTA057CATIIIprobes
TheseCATIIIdifferentialprobesenableconventionaloscilloscopestodisplayandmeasure
in-circuitwaveformsthatarehigh-voltageorarereferencedtohighcommon-modevoltage.This
extendsthemeasurementcapabilityofoscilloscopestoincludeelectricalpowerconversion,
inversion,motorspeedcontrol,switch-modepowersupplyandmanyotherapplications.
TA044probe
TheTA044isanactivedifferentialprobesuitableforhighcommon-modevoltagemeasurement
applicationsupto±7000V(DC+peakAC).Thisdifferentialprobeextendsthefunctionalityof
standardsingle-endedinputoscilloscopestoallowasafeandaccuratemethodofmakinghigh-
voltagedifferentialmeasurements.Applicationsincludemakingsafemeasurementsinpower
circuitapplicationsandacquisitionoflow-speedbalanceddifferentialsignalsfoundinserial
communicationsbuses.
2. Safety
Topreventpossibleelectricalshock,re,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.
These probes have been designed and tested in accordance with the Harmonized Standard EN
61010-031:2015,andleftthefactoryinasafecondition.
Thefollowingsafetydescriptionsarefoundthroughoutthisguide:
A WARNINGidentiesconditionsorpracticesthatcouldresultininjuryordeath.
A CAUTIONidenties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
Earth(ground)terminal
Equipmentprotectedthroughdoubleorreinforcedinsulation
Possibilityofelectricshock
Caution.Appearanceontheproductindicatesaneedtoreadthesesafety
andoperationinstructions.
IEC61010overvoltagecategory
Donotdisposeofthisproductasunsortedmunicipalwaste

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WARNING
Topreventinjuryordeathusetheproductonlyasinstructed.Protection
providedbytheproductmaybeimpairedifusedinamannernotspeciedbythe
manufacturer.
Maximuminputranges
Observeallterminalratingsandwarningsmarkedontheproduct.
WARNING
Topreventelectricshock,donotusetheprobewithvoltagesabovetheabsolute
maximumvaluesspeciedinthefollowingtable.
Model Probe
bandwidth
Differential
range(s)
Absolute max. voltage Safety
CAT rating
TA041 25 MHz ±70/700V ±1000Vpkmax 1000VCATIII
TA042 100MHz ±140/1400V ±1400Vpkmax 1000VCATIII
TA043 100MHz ±70/700V ±1000Vpkmax 1000VCATIII
TA057 25 MHz ±140/1400V ±1400Vpkmax 1000VCATIII
TA044 70MHz ±700/7000V 5000Vrmsor±7000V
(DC+PeakAC)indifferentialmode
non CAT rated
WARNING
Signalsexceedingthevoltagelimitsinthetablebelowaredenedas“hazardous
live”byEN61010.Topreventelectricshock,takeallnecessaryprecautionswhen
workingonequipmentwherehazardouslivevoltagesmaybepresent.
Signal voltage limits of the Low Voltage Directive (LVD)
±60VDC 30VACRMS ±42.4Vpkmax.
WARNING
Topreventinjuryordeath,theTA044differentialprobemustnotbedirectly
connectedtothemains(linepower).Tomeasuremainsvoltages,useaCATIII
differentialisolatingprobespecicallyratedformainsuse,suchastheTA041.
CAUTION
Operationoutsideofthesafevoltagerangeislikelytocausepermanentdamage
totheproductandotherconnectedequipment.

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Grounding
WARNING
Theprobe’sgroundconnectionthroughtheBNCcableisformeasurement
purposesonly.Theprobedoesnothaveaprotectivesafetyground.
TheprobecanbegroundedbyconnectingtheBNCshelltoagrounded
measurementinstrument,orbyconnectingtheauxiliarygroundingterminaltoa
reliablegroundpoint.Somemeasurementsetups,suchasaUSBoscilloscope
connectedtoalaptop,areunlikelytobegroundedevenwhenthelaptopismains
powered.
External connections
WARNING
Topreventelectricshock,donottouchexposedconnectionsandcomponents
when power is present.
CAUTION
Takecaretoavoidmechanicalstressortightbendradiiforallconnectedleads.
Mishandlingwillcausedeformationofsidewalls,andwilldegradeperformanceand
measurementaccuracy.
Environment
WARNING
Topreventinjuryordeath,donotuseinwetordampconditions,ornearexplosive
gas or vapor.
WARNING
Toavoidinjuryordeath,alwaysremovejewellerysuchasrings,watchesandother
metallicobjects.
CAUTION
Topreventdamage,alwaysuseandstoreyourprobeinappropriateenvironments
asshownbelow:
Temperature –10 to 40°C(operating)
–30 to70°C(storage)
Humidity 25to85%RH(operatingandstorage)
Altitude 2000m
Pollution Degree 2

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Careoftheproduct
Theproductcontainsnouser-serviceableparts.Repair,servicingandcalibrationrequire
specializedtestequipmentandmustonlybeperformedbyPicoTechnology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operations.
WARNING
Topreventinjuryordeath,donotoperatethisprobewiththecoversremoved.
WARNING
Topreventinjuryordeath,donottamperwithordisassembletheprobeorits
accessories. Internal damage will affect performance.
WARNING
Topreventinjuryordeathwhencleaningtheproduct,useasoftclothanda
solutionofmildsoapordetergentinwater.Topreventelectricshock,donotallow
liquidstoenterthecasing,asthiswillcompromisetheelectronicsorinsulation
inside.Alwaysensurethattheprobeisdrybeforeconnectingittotheoscilloscope,
powersupply,ordeviceundertest.

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3. Installation
Followtheseinstructionstoinstallandstartusingyourdifferentialprobe.
1. SimplyplugintheBNCoutputconnectortotheverticalinputofageneral-purpose
oscilloscopeorothermeasurementinstrument.
2. Connecttoprobetoanappropriatepowersource;internalbatteriesorTA531USBtoDC
power lead.
3. Turntheprobeon.
4. Settheattenuationratioaccordingtothetablebelow.
5. Usingtheappropriateprobeaccessories,connecttheinputtothecircuitundertest.
Probe Signal voltage Attenuation ratio
TA041 <70V 1:10
≥70V 1:100
TA042 <140V 1:100
≥140V 1:1000
TA043 <70V 1:10
≥70V 1:100
TA044 <700V 1:100
≥700V 1:1000
TA057 <140V 1:20
≥140V 1:200
WARNING
Toprotectagainstelectricshock,useonlytheaccessoriesdesignedforusewith
this differential probe.
WARNING
Toavoidinjuryordeath,youmustobserveallsafetyprecautionsappropriatetothe
circuitundertest.

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4. Appearance
TA041,TA042,TA043,TA044,andTA057probes
a b c
hg
fed
a. Sprunghooks
 Thesprunghooksallowasafeconnectiontotestpointsinthecircuitsundertest.
b. Inputleads
 Theinputleadsofthedifferentialprobeconnecttothesprunghooksthataresuppliedwith
the probe.
c. Probe body
d. Attenuationratioswitch(someprobesmayhavecontrolsinadifferentconguration)
e. Overrange indicator
f. Outputlead
 TheBNCoutputconnectorandanauxiliarygroundingterminalareconnectedtothe
oscilloscope.
g. DCpowersocket,forusewithTA531USBtoDCpowerlead.
See Section 5 for more information on connecting power leads.
h. Power switch

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5. TA531 USB to DC power lead
1/100
1/10
0
I
POWER
www.picotech.com
DIFFERENTIAL PROBE
TA531 USB to DC power lead
Oscilloscope front panel
To USB power supply
6. Overrange indicator
Theoverrangeindicatorlightsupredifthevoltageoftheinputsignalexceedsthelinearoperating
rangeoftheprobe.Whenthishappens,thesignalontheprobeoutputmaynotaccurately
representthesignalontheprobeinput.
Theovervoltageindicatorisfoundonthefrontpaneloftheprobe.

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7. Specications Specicationtablenotes: *VoltagelimitisthelesseroftheDC+ACpeakandRMSvalues. **a.Thesuppliedvoltagemustbebetween3.3Vand16V(TA057),or4.4Vand12V(allothermodels).Voltagesoutsideofthisrangemaydamagetheprobeoraffectperformance. b.Polarityis“+”insideand“–”outside.Ifthepolarityiswrong,abuilt-incircuitprotectstheprobesothatnodangerordamagewilloccur. c.Whenthevoltageofthecellsbecomestoolow,thepowerindicatoronthepanelwillashredandgreen,thenswitchoff(TA057andTA041)orashredandswitchoff(allothermodels).
TA041 TA042 TA043 TA044 TA057
Bandwidth DCto25MHz(–3dB) DCto100MHz(–3dB) DCto100MHz(–3dB) DCto70MHz(–3dB) DCto25MHz(–3dB)
Attenuation ratio 1:10or1:100switchable 1:100or1:1000switchable 1:10or1:100switchable 1:100or1:1000switchable 1:20or1:200switchable
DC accuracy ±2% ±2% ±2% ±2% ±2% Rise time 14 ns 3.5 ns 3.5 ns 5 ns 14 ns Input impedance 4 MΩ∥5.5pFeachsidetoground 4 MΩ∥7pFeachsidetoground 4 MΩ∥7pFeachsidetoground 10MΩ∥10pFeachsidetoground 4 MΩ∥5.5pFeachsidetoground Input voltages Differential range *
±70V(DC+peakAC)
or70VRMS(1:10)
±700V(DC+peakAC)
or700VRMS(1:100)
±140V(DC+peakAC)
or140VRMS(1:100)
±1400V(DC+peakAC)
or1000VRMS(1:1000)
±70V(DC+peakAC)
or70VRMS(1:10)
±700V(DC+peakAC)
or500VRMS(1:100)
±700V(DC+peakAC)
or700VRMS(1:100)
±7000V(DC+peakAC)
or5000VRMS(1:1000)
±140V(DC+peakAC)
or140VRMS(1:20)
±1400V(DC+peakAC)
or1000VRMS(1:200)
Common mode range * ±700V(DC+peakAC)
or700VRMS(1:10and1:100)
±1400V(DC+peakAC)
or1000VRMS(1:100and1:1000)
±700V(DC+peakAC)
or700VRMS(1:10and1:100)
±7000V(DC+peakAC)
or2500VRMS(1:100and1:1000)
±1400V(DC+peakAC)
or1000VRMS(1:20and1:200)
Absolute max. voltage * (Common mode) ±1400V(DC+ACpeak)or
1000VRMSCATIII(1:10and1:100)
±1400V(DC+ACpeak)or
1000VRMSCATIII(1:100and1:1000)
±1000V(DC+ACpeak)or1000VRMSCAT
III(1:10and1:100)
±7000V(DC+ACpeak)or
2500VRMS(1:100and1:1000) ±1400V(DC+ACpeak)
or1000VRMSCATIII
Absolute max. voltage * (Differential mode)
±7000V(DC+ACpeak)or
5000VRMS(1:100and1:1000)
Output Swing ±7Vinto1MΩload ±1.4Vinto1MΩload ±7Vinto1MΩload ±7Vinto1MΩload ±7Vinto1MΩload
Offset (typical) < ±5mV < ±5mV < ±5mV < ±5mV < ±5mV
Noise (typical) 0.7mVRMS 0.9mVRMS 0.9mVRMS 0.9mVRMS 0.7mVRMS Source impedance (typical) 50Ω 50Ω 50Ω 50Ω 50Ω
CMRR (typical) 86dBat50Hz.66dBat20Hz. 80dBat60Hz.50dBat1MHz. 85dBat50Hz.55dBat1MHz. 80dBat50Hz,60dBat20kHz 86dBat50Hz.60dBat20kHz. Temperature –10 to 40°C(operating)
–30 to70°C(storage)
Humidity 25to85%RH(operatingandstorage) Power requirements Battery ** 4 x AA cells Mains adaptor(s) ** 6VDC60mAor
regulated9VDC40mA
6VDC200mAor
regulated9VDC120mA
6VDC200mAor
regulated9VDC120mA
6VDC200mAor
regulated9VDC120mA
6VDC60mAor
regulated9VDC40mA
Optional TA531 Power lead Input cable 45 cm 30cm 30cm 60cm 45 cm BNC cable 95cm 90cm 90cm 90cm 95cm Weight 400g(inc.probesandPVCjacket) 500g 500g 500g 400g(inc.probeandPVCjacket)
Dimensions (L x W x H) 170mmx63mmx21mm 202mmx83mmx38mm 202mmx83mmx38mm 202mmx83mmx38mm 170mmx63mmx21mm

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8.Deratingcurves
Thederatingcurvesforabsolutemaximuminputvoltageofeachprobemodelareshownbelow:
Frequency(Hz)
TA041andTA057
1000 1000
700
150
Voltage(VRMS)
10000
1000
100
1 M 10 M 100 M
20
TA042
1000
1000
Voltage(VRMS)
Frequency(Hz)
10000
1000
100
1 M 10 M 100 M100 k
10
1000 1000
20
TA043
Voltage(VRMS)
Frequency(Hz)
1 M 10 M 100 M100 k
10000
1000
100
10

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10
Frequency(Hz)
TA044
Voltage(VRMS)
2500
200
20
2500
1 M 10 M 100 M100 k
10000
1000
100
10
9.Testprocedure
1. ConnecttheBNCoutputconnectortotheverticalinputofageneral-purposeoscilloscope.
2. Connecttheprobetoanappropriatepowersource,suchasthemainsadaptororfourAA
cells.
3. Turnontheprobeusingthepowerswitch.
4. SettheoscilloscopeinputtoDCcouplingand1V/div.Centerthetraceonthedisplay.
5. Connectthesprunghooksoftheprobetothecircuitundertest.
6. A50Hzor60Hzsinewaveofproperamplitudewillbedisplayedonthescreenofthe
oscilloscope.Thisdemonstratesthattheprobeisworkingproperly.
10. Calibration
TherearethreemainsourcesofuncertaintywhencalibratingaPicodifferentialprobeinaddition
toanyuncertaintyinthetestsetup.Theseare:
1. ThestatedDCaccuracyoftheprobeundertest(seespecicationstable).
2. AnyDCoffsetornoiseintheprobeoutput.Thevaluesinthismanualaretypical,sotond
theDCoffsetforagivenunitareadingmustbetakenwiththeinputstotheprobeshorted
together.
3. TheACperformanceoftheprobe.Thisisspeciedasbeingwithin3dBovertheentire
frequencyrangeoftheprobe.AnyabsolutevoltageaccuracytestingmustbedoneunderDC
conditions.
Oneotherpossiblecauseofnoiseistheprobe’spowersource.Itisrecommendedthat,where
possible,probesarecalibratedusingabatterysupplyratherthanamainssupplyunit.
TheadjustmentprocedureisavailablefromPicoTechnologyonrequest.

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11. Zero probe offset
Theprobescanbeadjustedforzeroingouttheprobe’soffsetvoltageusingatrimmertool
suppliedwiththeprobe.Followthisproceduretoperformtheoffset-zerocalibration:
1. Afterturningonthepowertotheoscilloscopeandprobe,leavethemonfor>30minutesto
stabilize.YoumayusetheUSBpowercordorbatteriestopowertheprobe.
2. ConnecttheprobetochannelAofyouroscilloscope.
3. Shortthe+and–probeinputstogetherwiththehooktips.
4. SelectAutorangeintheoscilloscopesoftware.
5. ThensetunitstoVoltandselectthelowestattenuation.
6. SettheocsilloscopetoDCcoupledmode.
7. Positionthegroundofthewaveformtothecentreofthescreenandsettheverticalscaleto
10mV/divor20mV/div.
8. SettheoscilloscopetoAveragingmode(x8orhigher)orHighresolutionmodetoreduce
scope noise.
9. Usingthetrimmertoolsuppliedwiththeprobe,adjusttheprobeoffsetvoltageto0V.
12. Cleaning
Onlyuseasoft,dampclothtocleantheprobe.
WARNING
Topreventinjuryordeath,alwaysensuretheprobeisthoroughlydryafter
cleaning.
CAUTION
Topreventdamagetotheprobeandotherconnectedequipment,donot
immersetheprobeinanyliquids.

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[email protected]
Pico Technology is an internationally registered trade mark of Pico Technology Ltd.
DO241-3. Copyright © 2015–2023 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
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