Tektronix TCP0150 User manual

TCP0150
20 MHz, 150 A AC/DC Current Probe
Instruction Manual
www.tektronix.com
071-2251-00

Copyright © Tektronix. All rights reserved. Licensed software products are owned by Tektronix or its subsidiaries or suppliers, and are protected by
national copyright laws and international treaty provisions.
Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and pending. Information in this publication supersedes that in all previously
published material. Specifications and price change privileges reserved.
TEKTRONIX and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.
Contacting Tektronix
Tektronix, Inc.
14200 SW Karl Braun Drive
P.O. Box 5 0 0
Beaverton, OR 97077
USA
For product information, sales, service, and technical support:
In North America, call 1-800-833-9200.
Worldwide, visit www.tektronix.com to find contacts in your area.

Warranty 2
Tektronix warrants that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of shipment. If
any such product proves defective during this warranty period, Tektronix, at its option, either will repair the defective product without charge for parts
and labor, or will provide a replacement in exchange for the defective product. Parts, modules and replacement products used by Tektronix for
warranty work may be new or reconditioned to like new performance. All replaced parts, modules and products become the property of Tektronix.
In order to obtain service under this warranty, Customer must notify Tektronix of the defect before the expiration of the warranty period and make
suitable arrangements for the performance of service. Customer shall be responsible for packaging and shipping the defective product to the service
center designated by Tektronix, with shipping charges prepaid. Tektronix shall pay for the return of the product to Customer if the shipment is to a
location within the country in which the Tektronix service center is located. Customer shall be responsible for paying all shipping charges, duties,
taxes, and any other charges for products returned to any other locations.
This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or damage caused by improper use or improper or inadequate maintenance and care. Tektronix
shall not be obligated to furnish service under this warranty a) to repair damage resulting from attempts by personnel other than Tektronix
representatives to install, repair or service the product; b) to repair damage resulting from improper use or connection to incompatible equipment; c) to
repair any damage or malfunction caused by the use of non-Tektronix supplies; or d) to service a product that has been modified or integrated with
other products when the effect of such modification or integration increases the time or difficulty of servicing the product.
THIS WARRANTY IS GIVEN BY TEKTRONIX WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. TEKTRONIX’ RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY
PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER FOR BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER TEKTRONIX OR THE VENDOR HAS
ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
General Safety Summary . . ................................................................................................................. v
Service Safety Summary.................................................................................................................. viii
Environmental Considerations ............................................................................................................. ix
Preface...................................................................................................................................... xi
Documentation........................................................................................................................ xi
Conventions Used in this Manual .................................................................................................... xi
Returning the Probe for Servicing...................................................................................................xii
Key Features ............................................................................................................................... 1
Installation .................................................................................................................................. 2
Using the Probe Head ................................................................................................................ 3
Degaussing the Probe................................................................................................................ 4
Connecting to the Circuit . . ........................................................................................................... 6
Probe Controls and Indicators........................................................................................................ 8
Functional Check and Basic Operation................................................................................................... 16
Basic Operation...................................................................................................................... 17
Application Examples...................................................................................................................... 18
Inductance Measurements .......................................................................................................... 19
Measuring Inductor Turns Count .................................................................................................... 22
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Table of Contents
Accessories and Options.................................................................................................................. 24
Standard Accessories . .............................................................................................................. 24
Optional Accessories ................................................................................................................ 26
Options............................................................................................................................... 29
Probing Principles ......................................................................................................................... 30
Degaussing a Probe with an Unpowered Conductor in the Jaws ... ............................................................... 30
Measuring Differential Current....................................................................................................... 31
Extending Current Range............................................................................................................ 33
Increasing Sensitivity ................................................................................................................ 36
Common Mode Noise/Magnetic Field Errors........................................................................................ 37
AC and DC Coupling.................................................................................................................38
Maximum Current Limits............................................................................................................. 39
Specifications.............................................................................................................................. 43
Warranted Characteristics........................................................................................................... 44
Typical Characteristics............................................................................................................... 45
Nominal Characteristics ............................................................................................................. 51
Certifications and Compliances ..................................................................................................... 51
User Maintenance ......................................................................................................................... 55
Oscilloscope Firmware .............................................................................................................. 55
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................... 55
Cleaning.............................................................................................................................. 56
Performance Verification .................................................................................................................. 57
Equipment Required................................................................................................................. 58
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Table of Contents
Making the DC Current Loop........................................................................................................ 59
Equipment Setup..................................................................................................................... 60
DC Gain Accuracy ................................................................................................................... 61
Rise Time and Bandwidth . .......................................................................................................... 64
Test Record .......................................................................................................................... 66
Adjustments................................................................................................................................ 67
Equipment Required................................................................................................................. 67
Equipment Setup..................................................................................................................... 67
DC Gain Accuracy ................................................................................................................... 68
Repair...................................................................................................................................... 70
Repairing the Probe ................................................................................................................. 70
Probe Disassembly .................................................................................................................. 71
Reassembly.......................................................................................................................... 79
Replaceable Parts ................................................................................................................... 80
Index
TCP0150 Current Probe Instruction Manual iii

Table of Contents
iv TCP0150 Current Probe Instruction Manual

General Safety Summary
General Safety Summary
Review the following safety precautions to avoid injury and prevent damage to this product or any products connected to it.
To avoid potential hazards, use this product only as specified.
Only qualified personnel should perform service procedures.
To Avoid Fire or Personal Injury
Connect and Disconnect Properly. Do not connect or disconnect probes or test leads while they are connected to a voltage
source.
Connect and Disconnect Properly. De-energize the circuit under test before connecting or disconnecting the current probe.
Connect and Disconnect Properly. Connect the probe output to the measurement instrument before connecting the probe to the
circuit under test. Connect the probe reference lead to the circuit under test before connecting the probe input. Disconnect the probe
input and the probe reference lead from the circuit under test before disconnecting the probe from the measurement instrument.
Ground the Product. This product is indirectly grounded through the grounding conductor of the mainframe power cord. To avoid
electric shock, the grounding conductor must be connected to earth ground. Before making connections to the input or output
terminals of the product, ensure that the product is properly grounded.
Observe All Terminal Ratings. To avoid fire or shock hazard, observe all ratings and markings on the product. Consult the
product manual for further ratings information before making connections to the product.
Do not apply a potential to any terminal, including the common terminal, that exceeds the maximum rating of that terminal.
Do not connect a current probe to any wire that carries voltages above the current probe voltage rating.
Do Not Operate Without Covers. Do not operate this product with covers or panels removed.
TCP0150 Current Probe Instruction Manual v

General Safety Summary
Do Not Operate With Suspected Failures. If you suspect that there is damage to this product, have it inspected by qualified
service personnel.
Avoid Exposed Circuitry. Do not touch exposed connections and components when power is present.
Do Not Operate in Wet/Damp Conditions.
Do Not Operate in an Explosive Atmosphere.
Keep Product Surfaces Clean and Dry.
Provide Proper Ventilation. Refer to the manual’s installation instructions for details on installing the product so it has proper
ventilation.
TermsinthisManual
These terms may appear in this manual:
WARNING. Warning statements identify conditions or practices that could result in injury or loss of life.
CAUTION. Caution statements identify conditions or practices that could result in damage to this product or other property.
vi TCP0150 Current Probe Instruction Manual