Tektronix 556 User manual

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IVIAIMUAL
Serial Number
TYPE
556
OSCILLOSCOPE
Tektronix, Inc.
S.W. Millikan Way • P. O. Box 500 • Beaverton, Oregon 97005 • Phone [phone] • Cables: Tektronix
070-0757-00 1167

WARRANTY
All Tektronix instruments are warranted
against defective materials and workman
ship for one year. Tektronix transformers,
manufactured in our own plant, are war
ranted for the life of the instrument.
Any questions with respect to the war
ranty mentioned above should be taken
up with your Tektronix Field Engineer.
Tektronix repair and replacement-part
service is geared directly to the field,
therefore all requests for repairs and re
placement parts should be directed to
the Tektronix Field Office or representative
in your area. This procedure will assure
you the fastest possible service. Please
include the instrument Type and Serial or
Model Number with all requests for parts
or service.
Specifications and price change privi
leges reserved.
Copyright ® 1966, new material 1967
by Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton, Oregon.
Printed in the United States of America.
All rights reserved. Contents of this pub
lication may not be reproduced in any
form without permission of the copyright
owner.
Type 556

Section 7
Section 8
Section 9
Parts Ordering Information
Electrical Parts List
Mechanical Parts List Information
Mechanical Parts List
Mechanical Parts List Illustrations
Accessories
Abbreviations and symbols used in this manual
are based on or taken directly from IEEE Stand
ard 260 “ Standard Symbols for Units” , MIL-STD-
1 2B and other standards of the electronics indus
try. Change information, if any, is located at the
rear of this manual.
Type 556

Serial numbor 2000 and up.
Serial number 1999 and below.
Fig. 1-1. Type 556 Oscilloscopes.
Type 556

SECTION I
CHARACTERISTICS
Type 556
Change information, if any, affecting this section is found at the rear of the manual.
Introduction
The Type 556 Oscilloscope—is a versatile dual-beam labor
atory type instrument providing accurate voltage and time
measurements in the DC to 50 M z frequency range. Two
complete horizontal and vertical deflection systems permit
completely indepentent operation of the two beams.
The Upper Beam can display the signal from either the
left or right vertical plug-in unit and may be controlled by
either the A or B time base or an external signal. The Lower
Beam displays the signal from the right plug-in and the sweep
is controlled by the B time base or an external signal. The
left and right plug-in compartments accept all letter series
and 1-series plug-ins.
Special circuits within the oscilloscope provide selection
of an accurate, continuously-variable delay when using the
B sweep. The B sweep may be delayed by the A sweep from
0.1 [is to 50 s (calibrated) after application of a trigger pulse.
This feature permits the delayed B sweep to expand a
selected portion of the undelayed A sweep, thereby pro
viding precise time measurements and detailed observation
of the signal. Both the delayed and undelayed sweeps can
be presented simultaneously on the oscilloscope screen. The
Upper Beam trace has an intensified zone indicating the por
tion of the signal being displayed by the B sweep and Lower
Beam.
The instrument is designed to operate over an ambient
temperature range of 0° C to +50° C. Performance speci
fications that are given in the center column apply over this
temperature range after a warmup time of 20 minutes. Sup
plemental information describing a characteristic or a feature
is also included in this portion of the manual.
VERTICAL AMPLIFIERS
Characteristics Performance Specification Supplemental Information
Frequency Response DC to >50 M z at 3dB down with a 1-series
plug-in unit having a risetime of 3.12 ns or less.
Risetime <6.25 ns. Indicated risetime of 6.93 ns
with a Test Load Plug-In Unit (Tektronix
Part No. 067-0521-00) having a risetime
of 3 ns.
Transient Response on Screen <2.25% peak overshoot, rounding, ringing or
tilt. Applies to all three vertical modes with
Test Load Plug-In Units.
Gain Change v/ith Line Voltage
Change <1% from 147 VAC peak to 178 VAC peak.
Trace Drift with Line Voltage
Change ± 2 mm from 147 VAC peak to 178 VAC peak.
A & B S EEP GENERATORS
Calibration Accuracy
5 s/cm to 0.1 [is/cm ±3% of displayed time between two points
displayed within the middle 8 cm.
X10 Magnified Display ±5% of displayed time between any two
points >1 cm apart displayed within the
middle 8 cm.
Calibrated from 4 cm to 70 cm from
sweep start. Extends fastest sweep rate
to 10 ns/cm.
Variable Time/Cm Range >2.5:1. Extends slowest sweep to approximately
12.5 s/cm.
Sweep Length 10.5 cm ±0.5 cm At 1 ms/cm.
VARIABLE TIME DELAY
Delay Time Accuracy
5 s/cm to 1 jus/cm ±1% of indicated delay time ±2% of A
TIME/CM setting + fixed delay of <150 ns
in system.
1% of A TIME/CM setting corresponds
to 1 minor division on the DELAY-TIME
MULTIPLIER dial.
0.5 [i.s/cm to 0.1 jus/cm ±1 % of indicated delay time ±5 % of A
TIME/CM setting + fixed delay of <150 ns
in system.
For additional information refer to Fig.
2-10 in the Operation Instructions.
1-1

Characteristics— Type 556
Characteristics Performance Specification Supplemental Information
Incremental Delay Time Accuracy
5 s/cm to 1 /i,s/cm ±1 % of indicated incremental
time ± 4% of A TIME/CM setting. delay Incremental Delay Time is the difference
between two delay time readings.
0.5/xs/cm to 0.1 /xs/cm ± 1% of indicated incremental
time ± 7% of A TIME/CM setting. delay For additional information refer to Page
2-24 in the Operating Instructions.
Short Term Jitter <1 part in 20,000 of the available delay time.
EXTERNAL HORIZONTAL AMPLIFIERS
Ext. orizontal Deflection Factor <0.1 V/cm with DISPLAY MAG in X10 posi
tion.
Transient Response ±3 % peak overshoot, rounding, ringing or tilt.
Variable Range >10:1
Frequency Response DC to >400 k z at 3 dB down. VARIABLE
control set fully cw.
Maximum Input Voltage 50 V combined DC + peak AC. With DISPLAY MAG in X10 position.
Input C Approximately 65 pF.
A & B TRIGGERING FEATURES
Characteristic Feature
Source Internal Normal (from left or right trigger pick-off circuit within the vertical amplifier),
Internal Plug-In (from one of the channels in the left or right Type 1A1 or 1A2 Plug-In
Unit), Line and External.
Coupling Capacitive (AC), low-frequency reject (AC LF REJ), high-frequency reject (AC F REJ) or
direct (DC).
Slope Triggering on positive-or-negative-going portion of triggering signal.
Mode:
Auto Stability Free runs sweep in absence of a triggering signal; instrument can be triggered on signals
>30 z.
Triggered Triggered at an adjustable level.
Jitter < 2 ns.
LEVEL Control Range:
Normal > ± 2 V.
X10 Increase > ±2 0 V.
External Trigger Input:
R & C Approximately 1 megohm paralleled by approximately 35 pF.
Volts 50 V maximum (DC plus peak AC).
A & B TRIGGERING SENSITIVITY
Trigger Coupling/Source To 10 M z To 50 M z
AC:INT NORM < 2 mm display amplitude
above 60 z. < 1 cm display amplitude.
EXT < 0.2 V above 60 z. < 0.4 V.
AC LF REJ:
INT NORM > 3 cm display amplitude
at 30 z. < 2 mm display amplitude
above 2.5 k z. < 1 cm display amplitude.
EXT > 3 V at 30 z. < 0.2 V above 2.5 k z. < 0.4 V.
AC F REJ:
INT NORM < 2 mm display amplitude
from 60 z to 60 k z, >1 cm
at 6 M z.
EXT <0.2 V from 60 z to 60 k z,
>1 V at 6 M z.
DC INT NORM < 3.5 mm display amplitude. < 2 cm display amplitude.
EXT < 0.2 V. < 0.4 V.
INT PLUG IN Characteristics that apply for the EXT trigger input also apply to the Int Plug-In interconnection
(pin 5 of plug-in connectors Jll and J12).
1-2 D

AMPLITUDE CALIBRATOR
Characteristics— Type 556
Characteristic Performance Specification Supplemental Information
Voltage Accuracy
i ;
vO
o'-
CN
+1
5 mA Current Loop Accuracy ±2% .
Repetition Rate 1 k z ±25%
Duty Cycle 45% to 55%.
Risetime < 1.5 jus. 70 pF load.
Terminated Voltage Accuracy One-half indicated voltage ± 2% when termi
nated into 50 ohms ±0.1% . Applies to AMPLITUDE CALIBRATOR switch positions from 0.2 mV to 0.2 V
only.
Z AXIS INPUTS
Sensitivity 10 V P to P causes noticeable modula
tion intensity.
Input R at DC 1 megohm ±10% .
FRONT-PANEL OUTPUT SIGNALS
A GATE > 8 V positive-going pulse. With baseline at zero volts. Time coin
cident with the A sweep. Maximum
current is 10 mA. Recommended load
resistance >1 kO.
B GATE > 8 V positive-going pulse. With baseline at zero volts. Time coin
cident with the B sweep. Maximum
current is 10 mA. Recommended load
resistance >1 kQ.
DLY'D TRIG > 7 V positive-going pulse into a >1 kft load. Pulse occurs at the end of the A sweep
delay period.
A SAWTOOT > 9 V/cm. as the same time duration as the A
sweep. Recommended load resistance
>30 kn.
B SAWTOOT > 9 V/cm. as the same time duration as the B
sweep. Recommended load resistance
>30 kn.
Line Frequency 50 z to 60 z 400 z with special fan modification.
Power Consumption ±840 W maximum. ±1 kVA maximum.
Thermal Protection An automatic resetting thermal cutout
interrupts instrument power if internal
temperature exceeds safe operating
level.
PO ER SOURCE REQUIREMENTS
For serial numbers 2000 and up
Regulating Range Selection: AC RMS Operating
Range (<2% harmon
ic distortion of the in-
AC Peak Operating
Range (>2% harmon-
is distortion1)
put power waveform)
115 Volts
LO 90 to n oV 127 to 156V A Line Voltage Selector assembly facilit-
M104 to 126 V 147 to 178 V ies selection of a regulating range com-
patible with the actual line voltage.
I 112 to 136 V 158 to 192 V
230 Volts
LO 180 to 220 V 254 to 311 V
M208 to 252 V 294 to 356 V
I 224 to 272 V 316 to 384 V
1Crest Factor =
1-3
Peak V , . , ._ .
-------- “ between 1.30 and 1.414.
RMS V

Characteristics— Type 556
Characteristic Performance Specification Supplemental Infromation
For serial numbers 100-1999
Normal Line: AC RMS Operating AC Peak Operating
Range (<2% harmon- Range (>2% harmon
ic distortion of the in- ic distortion1)
put power waveform)
115 VAC Nominal 100 to 130 V 142 to 183 V Normally wired at the factory for this
voltage unless directed otherwise.
230 VAC Nominal 200 to 260 V 284 to 366 V
Low Line:
104 VAC Nominal 90 to 117 V 127 to 165 V
208 VAC Nominal 180 to 234 V 254 to 330 V
CRT AND DISPLAY
Characteristic Information
Tube Type T5560-31-1. Dual-Beam, round, glass envelope. Tektronix Part No. 154-0500-00.
Phosphor P31 standard. Others available on special order.
Accelerating Potential Approximately 10kV; gun potential is 2 kV.
Scan Area > 6 cm vertical by 10 cm horizontal per beam. Beams can be overlapped in a 4 cm area.
Graticule Type Internal. 8 cm vertical by 10 cm horizontal. Each major division is 1 cm; four corners are
omitted.
Graticule Illumination Variable edge lighting.
Internal Unblanking DC-coupled to CRT control grids from the Sweep Generators.
Orthogonality Within ±1 % .
Trace Rotation Range Sufficient to align traces with their respective graticule lines.
Beam Finder Limits traces within graticule area.
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE
Electromagnetic Interference Meets interference specifications of MIL-I-6181D over the following frequency ranges:
Radiated (with CRT mesh filter, cabinet covers and BNC connector covers installed)— 150
k z to 1 G z; conducted (power line)—150 k z to 25 M z.
MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Construction Aluminum alloy chassis, panel and cabinet. Glass laminate etched circuit boards.
Finish Anodized front panel. Blue vinyl-finished cabinet and rear panel.
Overall Dimensions: Measured at maximum points; 15 inches high, 16-7/8 inches wide, 24 inches deep.
peak V
2Crest Factor = ------------- = between 1.30 and 1.414.
RMS V
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Type 556 has been designed to operate over a temper
ature range of 0° C to +50° C, altitude up to 15,000 feet.
The non-operating storage temperature range is —40° C to
+65° C, altitude up to 50,000 feet. After storage at either
extreme, the instrument must be allowed at least 4 hours time
for all components to return to the ambient temperature range
0° C to +50° C before operating.
Further information on environmental test procedures may
be obtained by contacting your local Tektronix Field Office
or representative.
ACCESSORIES
Standard accessories supplied with the Type 556 can be
found on the last pullo-ut page of the Mechanical Parts List
Illustrations. For optional accessories see the Tektronix, Inc.
catalog.
1-4

SECTION 2
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Type 556
Change information, if any, affecting this section will be found at the rear of the manual.
General
This section of the manual provides for the effective use of
the instrument by describing the function and operation of
the front panel controls and connectors, listing the first time
and general operating instructions and presenting some basic
applications.
Nomenclature and Terminology
For reference and guidance, these terms are defined as they
are used in this manual.
Alternate Mode— A time-sharing method of displaying
the output signals of two or more channels with a single
cathode ray tube beam. Channel switching is sequential and
occurs at the end of the sweep.
Chopped Mode— A time-sharing method of displaying
output signals of two or more channels with a single cathode
ray tube beam, in sequence, at a rate not referenced to the
sweep.
Chopping Rate— The rate at which channel switching
occurs in Chopped Mode.
Chopping Transient Blanking— The process of blanking
the indicating spot during the switching periods in Chopped
Mode.
Dual-Beam Oscilloscope— An oscilloscope in which the
cathode ray tube produces two separate electron beams
that may be individually or jointly controlled.
Dual-Trace— A mode of operation in which a single beam
in a cathode ray tube is shared by two signal channels.
Multi-Trace— A mode of operation in which a single beam
in a cathode ray tube is shared by two or more signal chan
nels.
Signal Channel— A signal amplifying circuit in a plug-in
unit. With dual and multi-channel plug-ins, the channels are
generally designated Channel 1 (or A) Channel 2 (B), etc.
Power Requirements
This instrument may be operated with power from either
a 115-volt or a 230-volt (nominal) power source. With proper
positioning of the Line Voltage Selector connectors, the power
supply circuit will provide correct DC voltages with adequate
regulations with any line voltage within voltage limits of
90 to 136 volts RMS and 180 to 272 volts RMS and frequency
limits of 50 to 60 z. The adjustable turns ratio design of
the power transformer provides the means of making the
instrument compatible with this wide range of power source
voltages.
SN 2000-up
A Line Voltage selector assembly is provided to facilitate
changing the power transformer turns ratio (see Fig. 2-1).
The assembly contains two line fuses and two movable pins
and socket type connectors. The two-position connector is
termed the Voltage Selector and the three-position connector
is termed the Range Selector.
Table 2-1 lists the six Voltages and Range selector com
binations and the line voltage ranges they should be used
with. Before connecting the instrument to a power source,
measure the power source line voltage and position the Volt
age and Range selectors accordingly.
TABLE 2-1
Voltage Range W ill provide optimum
Selector Selector regulation for line
position position voltages from
115V LO 90 to 110 volts
115 V M104 to 126 volts
115 V I 112 to 136 volts
230 V LO 180 to 220 volts
230 V M208 to 252 volts
230 V I 224 to 272 volts
To change the power transformer from one regulating
range configuration to another use the following procedure:
1. Disconnect the instrument from the power source.
2. Loosen the two captive screws and remove the cover.
Since the line fuses are attached to the cover, they will be
pulled from their holders with the cover.
3. To change nominal line selections, pull the Voltage
Selector until its pins are.free of the sockets, invert the selec
tor and reseat the pins in the desired sockets.
NOTE
115-volt to 230-volt plug adapters are not sup
plied with this instrument. If a suitable adapter
is not available, it may be necessary to change
the line-cord plug.
4. To change regulating range selections, pull the Range
selector until its pins are free of the sockets, move it to the
desired range position and seat the pin in the sockets.
5. Replace the assembly cover and the two line fuses. Press
the cover firmly onto the assembly to seat the two fuses in
their holders, then tighten the captive screws.
6. The indicating tabs on the selectors will be protruding
through the covers to indicate the selected regulating range.
Always check the position of these tabs before applying
power to the instrument.
<D 2-1