Rohde & Schwarz RT-ZC31 User manual

R&S®RT-ZC31
Current Probe
User Manual
1801494902
Version 03
(B1aa2)

This manual describes the following R&S products:
●R&S®RT-ZC31, Current Probe (1801.4932.02)
●R&S®RT-ZA13, Probe Power Supply (1409.7789.02)
© 2023 Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
Muehldorfstr. 15, 81671 Muenchen, 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.
1801.4949.02 | Version 03 | R&S®RT-ZC31
The following abbreviations are used in this manual: R&S®RT-ZC31 is abbreviated as R&S RT-ZC31.

Contents
R&S®RT-ZC31
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Contents
1 Safety and regulatory information....................................... 5
1.1 Safety instructions................................................................................5
1.2 Labels on the product.......................................................................... 7
1.3 Warning messages in the documentation.......................................... 8
2 Product description...............................................................9
2.1 Product overview.................................................................................. 9
2.2 Key features.......................................................................................... 9
2.3 Unpacking and checking......................................................................9
2.4 Description of the Probe.................................................................... 10
2.4.1 Probe Overview.................................................................................... 10
2.4.2 Termination Unit.................................................................................... 11
2.4.3 Junction Box (Keys, LEDs)................................................................... 13
2.4.4 Sensor...................................................................................................15
3 Connecting the probe..........................................................17
3.1 Handling the probe............................................................................. 17
3.2 Connecting the probe to the power supply......................................18
3.3 Connecting the probe to the oscilloscope....................................... 19
3.4 Setting up and demagnetizing...........................................................20
3.5 Connecting the probe to the DUT......................................................22
3.6 Disconnecting the probe from the DUT............................................ 24
3.7 Considerations for measurements....................................................25
4 Features and characteristics.............................................. 28
4.1 How to measure current accurately.................................................. 28
4.2 Protection mode..................................................................................28

Contents
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4.3 Typical characteristics........................................................................30
4.3.1 Frequency characteristics..................................................................... 31
4.3.2 Frequency derating curve..................................................................... 31
4.3.3 Input impedance................................................................................... 32
4.3.4 Consumption current.............................................................................32
4.3.5 Influence of common-mode voltage......................................................33
5 Troubleshooting...................................................................34
5.1 Possible device errors........................................................................34
5.2 LED display errors.............................................................................. 35
6 Maintenance and service.................................................... 39
6.1 Cleaning...............................................................................................39
6.2 Contacting customer support............................................................39
6.3 Returning for servicing...................................................................... 40
6.4 Calibration interval............................................................................. 40
6.5 Storage and transport........................................................................ 41
6.6 Disposal............................................................................................... 41
7 R&S RT-ZA13 probe power supply.................................... 42

Safety and regulatory information
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1 Safety and regulatory information
The product documentation helps you to use the product safely and efficiently.
Follow the instructions provided here and in the Chapter 1.1, "Safety instructions",
on page 5.
Intended use
The product is intended for the development, production and verification of elec-
tronic components and devices in industrial, administrative, and laboratory envi-
ronments. Use the product only for its designated purpose. Observe the operating
conditions and performance limits stated in the data sheet.
Where do I find safety information?
Safety information is part of the product documentation. It warns you of potential
dangers and gives instructions on how to prevent personal injury or damage
caused by dangerous situations. Safety information is provided as follows:
●In Chapter 1.1, "Safety instructions", on page 5. The same information is
provided in many languages as printed "Safety Instructions". The printed
"Safety Instructions" are delivered with the product.
●Throughout the documentation, safety instructions are provided when you
need to take care during setup or operation.
1.1 Safety instructions
Products from the Rohde & Schwarz group of companies are manufactured
according to the highest technical standards. To use the products safely, follow
the instructions provided here and in the product documentation. Keep the prod-
uct documentation nearby and offer it to other users.
Use the product only for its intended use and within its performance limits. Inten-
ded use and limits are described in the product documentation such as the data
sheet, manuals and the printed "Safety Instructions". If you are unsure about the
appropriate use, contact Rohde & Schwarz customer service.
Using the product requires specialists or specially trained personnel. These users
also need sound knowledge of at least one of the languages in which the user
interfaces and the product documentation are available.
Safety instructions

Safety and regulatory information
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Reconfigure or adjust the product only as described in the product documentation
or the data sheet. Any other modifications can affect safety and are not permitted.
Never open the casing of the product. Only service personnel authorized by
Rohde & Schwarz are allowed to repair the product. If any part of the product is
damaged or broken, stop using the product. Contact Rohde & Schwarz customer
service at https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/support.
In these safety instructions, the term "product" covers instruments (oscillo-
scopes), probes and their accessories.
Choosing the operating site
Only use the product indoors. The product casing is not waterproof. Water that
enters can electrically connect the casing with live parts, which can lead to elec-
tric shock, serious personal injury or death if you touch the casing. If
Rohde & Schwarz provides accessories designed for outdoor use of your product,
e.g. a protective cover, you can use the product outdoors.
Unless otherwise specified in the data sheet, you can operate the product up to
an altitude of 2000 m above sea level.
The product is suitable for pollution degree 2 environments where nonconductive
contamination can occur. For more information on environmental conditions such
as ambient temperature and humidity, see the data sheet.
Performing measurements
Take the following measures for your safety:
●Observe all voltage and current ratings of the instrument, the probes, and the
accessories. Exceeding the allowed limits can lead to an electric shock.
Limits and ratings are marked on the products and listed in the data sheets.
Consider that the rated values depend on the frequency. The limitation curves
or values are provided in the data sheet.
●Never cause any short circuits when measuring sources with high output cur-
rents.
●When working with current probes, observe the additional operating condi-
tions specified in these safety instructions.
●Prevent the probe from receiving mechanical shock. Avoid putting excessive
strain on the probe cable or exposing it to sharp bends. Touching a broken
cable during measurements can cause injuries.
●Set up all probe connections to the instrument before applying power.
Safety instructions

Safety and regulatory information
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Working with current probes
When working with current probes, you can measure high-frequency currents or
currents that contain high-frequency components.
●Switch off the test circuit while connecting the probe.
●Do not attach the clamp to bare unisolated conductors. To avoid injury from a
short circuit, measure at a location on an insulated wire where the insulation is
sufficient for the circuit voltage.
●Connect the probe only to the secondary side of a breaker. With this measure,
you avoid injury, if a short circuit occurs.
●The following effects can cause burns and fire or damage to the measurement
site:
– Eddy current loss can cause heating of the sensor head.
– Dielectric heating can cause heating of cord insulation and other materials.
●When measuring current that includes a high-frequency component, consider
the derating characteristics of the probe. Do not measure any current that
exceeds the rated current.
●Using the probes with high frequencies or strong magnetic fields may cause
the device to become abnormally hot, resulting in fire, equipment damage, or
burns.
1.2 Labels on the product
Labels on the casing inform about:
●Personal safety
●Product and environment safety
●Identification of the product
Table 1-1: Meaning of safety labels
Potential hazard
Read the product documentation to avoid personal injury or product damage.
Hazardous contact voltages
Do not use the probe at uninsulated live lines. Make sure to measure at sufficiently
insulated conductors. This measure protects you against electric shock, electric burn,
or arc flash.
Labels on the product

Safety and regulatory information
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Table 1-2: Labels regarding product and environment safety
Labeling in line with EN 50419 for disposal of electrical and electronic equipment after
the product has come to the end of its service life.
1.3 Warning messages in the documentation
A warning message points out a risk or danger that you need to be aware of. The
signal word indicates the severity of the safety hazard and how likely it will occur
if you do not follow the safety precautions.
WARNING
Potentially hazardous situation. Could result in death or serious injury if not avoi-
ded.
CAUTION
Potentially hazardous situation. Could result in minor or moderate injury if not
avoided.
NOTICE
Potential risks of damage. Could result in damage to the supported product or to
other property.
Warning messages in the documentation

Product description
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2 Product description
2.1 Product overview
The R&S RT-ZC31 is a clamp-on current probe that features high current-detec-
tion sensitivity and broad frequency band. The probe uses three current ranges to
detect current waveforms from a few hundred µA to 50 A.
By clamping on the conductor to be measured, the current waveform is captured
easily without interrupting the electric circuit.
2.2 Key features
●The sensor head has a clamp design that makes it possible to easily observe
current waveforms while current continues to flow through the conductor being
measured.
●Three current measurement ranges: 0.1 V/A, 1 V/A, and 10 V/A.
●You can observe low-current waveforms at the high sensitivity of 10 V/A.
●LED warnings indicate overload and unlocked sensor head.
●Broadband frequency characteristics DC to 120 MHz.
●Demagnetization and automatic zero adjustment functions make it easy to get
ready for measurement.
2.3 Unpacking and checking
1. Unpack the product carefully.
2. Retain the original packing material. Use it when transporting or shipping the
product later.
3. Using the delivery notes, check the equipment for completeness.
Unpacking and checking

Product description
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10User Manual 1801.4949.02 ─ 03
4. Check the equipment for damage.
If the delivery is incomplete or equipment is damaged, contact
Rohde & Schwarz.
Delivery notes
The delivery contains the following items:
●User manual
●Carrying case
●R&S RT-Zxx high-voltage and current probes data sheet
●Safety instructions for oscilloscopes and accessories (multilingual)
●Calibration certificate
●Documentation of calibrated values
2.4 Description of the Probe
2.4.1 Probe Overview
Figure 2-1: Probe overview
1 = Sensor
2 = Junction box
3 = Termination unit
Description of the Probe