- Tektronix oscilloscopes allow you to see waveforms accurately.electrical signals image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
Tektronix is a large manufacturer of electronic test equipment such as oscilloscopes, signal generators and multimeters. Having the equipment is only half the battle. The other half is the probes used to get the signal into the equipment. Tektronix also makes a complete line of test probes, each designed to mate with a piece of test equipment. The company offers tips on how to use the probes correctly. - Tektronix states that its active probes should to be used for high frequency circuits that have high impedance. Impedance is another word for resistance. Tektronix recommends an active probe for high probe loading situations. Probe loading occurs when too much signal is trying to travel through the probe, setting up aberrant signal waves inside the probe itself. If a passive probe is used, probe loading will not produce an accurate reading. A passive probe is comparable to just a straight piece of wire, with no internal circuitry.
- To test low voltage signals on logic circuits, Tektronix recommends using a low capacitance probe. Tektronix states that these probes will capture a signal accurately, without the probe loading down the test circuit. Low capacitance probes are passive, meaning they are just like a straight piece of wire. The probes are specially designed, however, to have minimal capacitance. Capacitance is a phenomenon where a device will store an electrical charge, and then release it. With an ordinary probe, when the charge is released, it will result in an inaccurate reading in the test instrument.
- Tektronix manufactures a series of probes specifically for high voltage applications. Tektronix states that these probes are designed for safety, and recommends these for the real time measuring of signals. High voltage probes should be used in television applications, to capture the waveforms present on the main television tube, and high voltage generating sections.
- Passive probes are used for general purpose applications. While they transmit data accurately, Tektronix states these probes should be used for frequencies less than 100 megahertz. A hertz is a unit of frequency, stated in cycles per second: one hertz is one cycle per second. A megahertz is one million cycles per second. Tektronix further states that the probes are only good for voltages less than 450 volts. If you think frequency and voltage level exceed these, start with the high voltage probes first, and then reduce down to a passive probe accordingly.
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