Rohde & Schwarz R&S RT-ZC15B User manual

R&S®RT-ZC15B
Current Probe
User Manual
1409826202
Version 02
(>9àÌ2)
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Allice Messtechnik GmbH

This manual describes the following Rohde & Schwarz product:
●R&S®RT-ZC15B, Current Probe (1409.8227.02)
© 2020 Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
Mühldorfstr. 15, 81671 München, Germany
Phone: [phone] - 0
Email: [email protected]
Internet: www.rohde-schwarz.com
Subject to change – data without tolerance limits is not binding.
R&S® is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG.
Trade names are trademarks of the owners.
1409.8262.02 | Version 02 | R&S®RT-ZC15B
The following abbreviations are used in this manual: R&S®RT-ZC15B is abbreviated as R&S RT-ZC15B.
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Contents
R&S®RT-ZC15B
3User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
Contents
1Notes on Safety......................................................................5
2 Product Description.............................................................. 9
2.1 Product Overview................................................................................. 9
2.2 Key Features......................................................................................... 9
2.3 Inspecting the Contents....................................................................... 9
2.4 Description of the Probe.................................................................... 11
2.4.1 Probe Head........................................................................................... 11
2.4.2 Probe Box............................................................................................. 12
3 Putting into Operation.........................................................13
3.1 Connecting the Probe to the Oscilloscope...................................... 13
3.2 Identification of the Probe..................................................................14
3.3 Setting Up and Demagnetizing.......................................................... 15
3.4 Connecting the Probe to the DUT..................................................... 16
4 Maintenance and Service....................................................21
4.1 Cleaning...............................................................................................21
4.2 Contacting Customer Support...........................................................21
4.3 Returning for Servicing...................................................................... 22
4.4 Calibration Interval............................................................................. 22
4.5 Discarding the Product...................................................................... 23
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Contents
R&S®RT-ZC15B
4User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
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Notes on Safety
R&S®RT-ZC15B
5User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
1 Notes on Safety
Thank you for purchasing the R&S RT-ZC15B current probe.
To obtain maximum performance from the device, please read this manual first,
and keep it handy for future reference.
Risk of physical injury
This device is designed to comply with IEC 61010 Safety Standards, and
has been thoroughly tested for safety before shipment. However, mishan-
dling during use could result in injury or death, and damage to the device.
Be certain that you understand the instructions and precautions in the man-
ual before use.
Follow these precautions to ensure safe operation and to obtain the full benefits
of the various functions.
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Notes on Safety
R&S®RT-ZC15B
6User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
Risk of fatal injury
●To avoid electric shock and short circuits, never attach the clamp to
bare, unisolated conductors.
Make sure to measure at a location on an insulated wire where the insu-
lation is sufficient for the circuit voltage.
●Be careful to avoid damaging the insulation surface while taking mea-
surements.
●Refer to the derating characteristics when measuring current that
includes a high-frequency component and never measure any current
that exceeds the rated current. Use with high frequencies or strong
magnetic fields may cause the device to become abnormally hot, result-
ing in fire, equipment damage, or burns.
●To prevent fire or damage of the measurement target and device as well
as burns, exercise caution concerning the following when measuring
high-frequency currents or currents that contain high-frequency compo-
nents:
– Eddy current loss may cause heating of the sensor head.
– Dielectric heating may cause heating of cord insulation and other
materials.
●Be sure to observe all operating precautions for the oscilloscope and
other instruments to which this device is connected.
Shock hazard
Do not allow the device to get wet, and do not take measurements with wet
hands. This may cause an electric shock.
To avoid electric shock when measuring live lines, wear appropriate protec-
tive gear, such as insulated rubber gloves, boots, and a safety helmet.
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Notes on Safety
R&S®RT-ZC15B
7User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
Risk of instrument damage
●To avoid damage to the device, protect it from vibration or shock during
transport and handling, and be especially careful to avoid dropping.
●This device should be installed and operated indoors only, between 0°C
and 40°C (32°F to 104°F) and 80% RH or less.
●Do not store or use the device where it could be exposed to direct sun-
light, high temperature, humidity, or condensation. Under such condi-
tions, the device may be damaged and insulation may deteriorate so
that it no longer meets its specifications.
●Before using the device the first time, verify that it operates normally to
ensure that no damage occurred during storage or shipping. If you find
any damage, contact your dealer or R&S representative.
●This device is not designed to be entirely water- or dust-proof. To avoid
damage, do not use it in a wet or dusty environment.
●The sensor head is a precision assembly including a molded compo-
nent, a ferrite core, and a Hall effect element. It may be damaged if sub-
jected to sudden changes in ambient temperature, or mechanical strain
or shock, and therefore great care should be exercised in handling it.
●Do not apply a static electricity or other source of high voltage to the
sensor. Doing so may damage the internal Hall elements and circuitry of
the sensor.
●The mating surfaces of the sensor head are precision, and should be
treated with care. If these surfaces are scratched, performance may be
impaired.
●Measurements are degraded by dirt on the mating surfaces of the sen-
sor head, so keep the surfaces clean by gently wiping with a soft cloth.
●When the power is on, keep the core section of the sensor closed,
except when clamping it onto the conductor to be measured. The mating
surface of the core section can be scratched while it is open.
●Keep the clamp jaws and core slits free from foreign objects, which
could interfere with clamping action.
●Keep the sensor head closed when not in use, to avoid accumulating
dust or dirt on the mating core surfaces, which could interfere with
clamp performance.
●To avoid damaging the sensor cable, do not bend or pull the cable.
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Notes on Safety
R&S®RT-ZC15B
8User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
●Avoid stepping on or pinching the cable, which could damage the cable
insulation.
●Keep the cable well away from heat sources, as bare conductors could
be exposed if the insulation melts.
Strong electromagnetic fields
Correct measurement may be impossible in the presence of strong mag-
netic fields, such as near transformers and high-current conductors, or in the
presence of strong electromagnetic fields such as near radio transmitters.
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Product Description
R&S®RT-ZC15B
9User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
2 Product Description
2.1 Product Overview
The R&S RT-ZC15B is an AC/DC current probe. It allows the user to make cur-
rent measurements from DC to 50 MHz. By clamping on the conductor to be
measured, the current waveform is captured easily without interrupting the elec-
tric circuit.
Since the probe is equipped with the Rohde & Schwarz probe interface, it can be
connected to any Rohde & Schwarz base unit that is compatible with this inter-
face. When connected to the front panel of a Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscope, the
probe is controlled using the software of the oscilloscope.
2.2 Key Features
●Highly accurate current detection.
●Easy current measurement without interrupting the electric circuit.
●Broadband frequency characteristics DC to 50 MHz.
●Permits measurement of low current levels.
●Easy protection function to avoid self-heating during excessive input.
●Unique thin film Hall effect element.
●Rohde & Schwarz probe interface:
– Powered by the oscilloscope - no need for an additional power supply
– Remotely controlled by the oscilloscope
2.3 Inspecting the Contents
●Inspect the package for damage.
Keep the package and the cushioning material until the contents have been
checked for completeness and the device has been tested.
Inspecting the Contents
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Product Description
R&S®RT-ZC15B
10User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
If the packaging material shows any signs of stress, notify the carrier and your
Rohde & Schwarz service center. Keep the package and cushioning material
for inspection.
●Inspect the probe.
If there is any damage or defect, or if the R&S RT-ZC15B current probe does
not operate properly, notify your Rohde & Schwarz service center.
●Inspect the accessories.
If the contents are incomplete or damaged, notify your Rohde & Schwarz ser-
vice center.
The following accessories are delivered with the probe:
●User manual
●Carrying case
●R&S RT-Zxx data sheet
●Calibration certificate
●Documentation of calibrated values
Inspecting the Contents
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Product Description
R&S®RT-ZC15B
11User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
2.4 Description of the Probe
Figure 2-1: Overview of the R&S
RT-ZC15B current probe
1 = Sensor
2 = Probe box
3 = Sensor cable
4 = Opening lever
5 = Sensor head
6 = Current direction indication
7 = UNLOCK indication
8 = Coarse adjustment trimmer
2.4.1 Probe Head
The probe head consists of the following parts:
Opening lever
Operating lever for opening the sensor head. Always use this lever to open the
sensor head.
Description of the Probe
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Product Description
R&S®RT-ZC15B
12User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
Sensor head
The sensor head clamps on the conductor being measured, and carries out the
actual current measurement. It is a precision assembly including a molded com-
ponent, a ferrite core, and a Hall effect element. It may be damaged if subjected
to sudden changes in ambient temperature, or mechanical strain or shock, and
therefore great care should be exercised in handling it.
Coarse adjustment trimmer
Use this only when adjustment is not possible within the range of the zero adjust-
ment. Use a nonconductive screwdriver (e.g. ceramic driver) for adjustment.
2.4.2 Probe Box
The probe box connects the probe and the oscilloscope via the Rohde & Schwarz
probe interface. The Rohde & Schwarz probe interface contains a male precision
7 mm (276 mil) BNC connector and six pogo pin connectors. This interface pro-
vides the required supply voltage and is also used to transmit analog signals and
digital data simultaneously. All the analog voltages required by the probe are gen-
erated in the probe box. This approach ensures that it will be possible to operate
future probes on any base unit that features a Rohde & Schwarz probe interface.
(1) Rohde & Schwarz probe interface with
7 mm (276 mil) coaxial connector and 6 pogo
pins
(2) Release knob
Connect the R&S RT-ZC15B only to an instrument with Rohde & Schwarz probe
interface. Never connect it to a usual BNC jack. Although the 7 mm coaxial con-
nector looks like a standard BNC connector, it is constructed differently and does
not fit to the standard BNC jack. The interface of the R&S RT-ZC15B can with-
stand a higher frequency limit.
Description of the Probe
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Putting into Operation
R&S®RT-ZC15B
13User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
3 Putting into Operation
3.1 Connecting the Probe to the Oscilloscope
The output of the probe is terminated internally. Use an Rohde & Schwarz
oscilloscope with high impedance inputs. Accurate measurement is not pos-
sible, with an impedance of 50 Ω.
Risk of circuit damage
Check that the conductor being measured is not clamped when connecting
the R&S RT-ZC15B to the R&S RTx oscilloscope. When the current probe
is connected, a demagnetizing waveform is initially applied to the core.
Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscopes instruments demagnetize the probe auto-
matically when it is connected.
► Connect the probe box (1) to the Rohde & Schwarz probe interface of the
oscilloscope (2).
The probe snaps in when connected properly to the port.
Connecting the Probe to the Oscilloscope
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Putting into Operation
R&S®RT-ZC15B
14User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
Figure 3-1: Connecting the probe to the Rohde
& Schwarz oscilloscope
► To disconnect the probe:
a) Press and hold the release button (3).
b) Pull the probe box away from the oscilloscope.
3.2 Identification of the Probe
When the probe is connected to the oscilloscope, the oscilloscope recognizes the
probe and reads out the probe-specific parameters.
The oscilloscope settings for attenuation and offset are automatically adjusted;
and the oscilloscope switches to high impedance coupling (1 MΩ) to ensure accu-
rate measurements.
The complete probe information is shown in the probe settings dialog. For more
information, refer to the user manual of your oscilloscope.
Identification of the Probe
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Putting into Operation
R&S®RT-ZC15B
15User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
3.3 Setting Up and Demagnetizing
Before starting measurements, demagnetizing the core and a zero adjustment of
the probe are required.
Risk of circuit damage
Do not demagnetize while the R&S RT-ZC15B is clamping a conductor to
be measured. Demagnetizing causes current to flow into the conductor,
which may damage parts in the circuit to be measured.
All settings of the base unit described in this section refer to the R&S
RTO/RTE/RTP oscilloscopes.
On the R&S RTM, the probe settings can be found in the "Channel" menu:
CH N > "More > Probe".
To demagnetize and zero-adjust the probe:
1. Connect the R&S RT-ZC15B current probe as described in chapter 3.1 on
page 13.
2. Make sure that there is no conductor in the sensor aperture.
3. Press the opening lever until the UNLOCK indication disappears. Close the
sensor head properly.
4. On the "Vertical" menu of the R&S RTO/RTE/RTP, select "Probe Setup".
5. Select the channel the probe is connected to.
6. Tap "DeGauss".
This demagnetizes the core if it has been magnetized by switching the power
on and off, or by an excessive input. Always carry out demagnetizing before
measurement.
The demagnetizing process takes about one second. During demagnetizing, a
demagnetizing waveform is present at the output.
7. Change the "Zero adjust" value to adjust the waveform to zero position.
After demagnetizing always carry out a zero adjustment.
Tip: On R&S RTO/RTE/RTP instruments, you can tap "Detect AutoZero" to
demagnetize and adjust to zero position in one step.
Setting Up and Demagnetizing
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Putting into Operation
R&S®RT-ZC15B
16User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
Tip: Tap "Save to probe" to store the "Zero adjust" value in the probe box. If
you connect the probe to another channel or to another R&S RTx oscillo-
scope, the value is read out again.
8. If zero adjustment is not possible, turn the coarse adjustment trimmer to bring
the waveform within the range of zero adjustment (see figure 2-1 on page 11).
Risk of instrument damage
When opening the sensor head of the probe, be sure to operate with the
opening lever. If an upper core is forced to open when the sensor head is
locked, the open-close mechanism can be damaged.
3.4 Connecting the Probe to the DUT
1. Check that the system is safe, and that the preparations described in the pre-
ceding sections have been carried out.
2. Pull the sensor slider, so that the clamp opens.
3. Align the sensor so that the current direction indication matches the direction
of current flow through the conductor that you measure. The conductor should
be in the center of the clamp aperture because the measurement may be
affected by the position within the clamp aperture of the conductor being mea-
sured.
4. Press the opening lever until the UNLOCK indication disappears. Make sure
that the sensor head is properly closed.
Connecting the Probe to the DUT
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Putting into Operation
R&S®RT-ZC15B
17User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
If the sensor head is not properly closed, accurate measurement is not possi-
ble.
Risk of instrument damage due to continuous input current
●The maximum continuous input range is based on heat that is internally
generated during measurement. Always keep the input current below
this level. Exceeding the rated level may result in damage to the probe.
●The maximum continuous input range varies according to the frequency
of the current being measured. Refer to the data sheet "R&S RT-Zxx
high voltage and current probes".
●The device may sustain damage from self-heating even at current levels
that are lower than the maximum rated current. The maximum rated cur-
rent is a recommended value that assumes sine-wave input under stan-
dard conditions. Self-heating may happen if the ambient temperature
increases or the measurement current waveform contains other fre-
quency components.
●If the input current exceeds a certain level, generated heat activates a
built-in safety function that blocks normal output. If this happens,
remove the input immediately (remove the sensor from the conductor
being measured, or reduce the input current to zero). Wait until the sen-
sor has had sufficient time to cool before resuming operation.
●Even if the input current does not exceed the rated continuous maxi-
mum current, continuous input for an extended period of time may result
in activation of the safety circuit to prevent damage resulting from heat-
ing of the sensor.
Connecting the Probe to the DUT
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Putting into Operation
R&S®RT-ZC15B
18User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
Risk of instrument damage due to continuous input current
●At high ambient temperatures, the built-in safety circuit may activate at
current input levels below the rated continuous maximum current.
●Continuous input of current exceeding the rated maximum or repeated
activation of the safety function may result in damage to the device.
●Current measurement exceeding approx. 1 kHz may result in tempera-
ture rise on the sensor-head. This is attributed to excitation loss that
cannot be prevented due to natural physical principles. Be careful to
avoid injury, electric shock due to short-circuits, or damage to the device
that may be caused by the increased temperature.
●Do not place any unclamped conductor with an electric current of a fre-
quency of 10 kHz or more near the sensor head. Current flowing in the
conductor nearby may heat up the sensor head and cause its tempera-
ture to rise, leading to damage to the sensor. For example, when one
side of a go-and-return conductor is clamped and the other side is also
placed near the sensor head as shown in the diagram, even if the elec-
tric current is lower than the consecutive maximum current, electric cur-
rents in both sides will heat up the sensor and raise the temperature,
thereby causing damage to the sensor.
Connecting the Probe to the DUT
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Putting into Operation
R&S®RT-ZC15B
19User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
●Immediately after powering on, this device may be subject to an appre-
ciable offset drift due to the effect of self-heating. To counteract this,
allow the device to warm up for about 30 minutes before carrying out
measurements.
●When performing continuous measurements, it is necessary to be
aware that the offset voltage drifts, depending on factors such as the
ambient temperature.
●Under certain circumstances, oscillation may occur while the power sup-
ply is on. This does not indicate a malfunction. Oscillation can be stop-
ped and operation restored to normal by opening and closing the sensor
head.
●Depending on the amplitude and frequency of the current being mea-
sured, the sensor head may emit a resonant sound. This sound may
also occur during demagnetizing operation, but it does not represent a
malfunction or device failure.
If foreign matter is adhered to the facing surfaces on the sensor head so
that a slight gap exists between the upper and lower sensors, the sen-
sor head may also emit a resonant sound. Remove any foreign matter
using the cleaning method described in this manual.
An increase in the volume of the resonant sound during use may indi-
cate that the gap between the upper and lower sensors has increased.
Since the sensor characteristics may change, it is recommended to cali-
brate the device.
Connecting the Probe to the DUT
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Putting into Operation
R&S®RT-ZC15B
20User Manual 1409.8262.02 ─ 02
At high frequencies, common mode noise may affect measurements taken
on the high voltage side of circuits. If this occurs, reduce the frequency
range of the waveform measuring instrument, or clamp onto the low-voltage
side of the circuit, as appropriate.
Connecting the Probe to the DUT
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