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460 Handheld 20MHz Digital Oscilloscope User’s Guide The Value Leader www.tpi-thevalueleader.com Test Products International, Inc. 9615 SW Allen Blvd. Portland, OR 97005 Ph: 503-520-9197 ! Fax: 503-520-1225 E-mail: info@tpi-thevalueleader.com...
460 User’s Guide Table of Contents C1 - Introduction..................C1-1 Features ..................C1-2 Specifications ..................C1-3 Scope Modes ................C1-3 Multimeter Modes ..............C1-5 C2 - Getting Started ..................C2-1 Equipment Needed ................C2-1 460 Setup ..................C2-1 Measuring Voltage ................C2-3 Measuring Frequency ..............C2-3 Measuring Resistance..............C2-4 Testing Continuity ................C2-4 Diode Test ..................C2-4 C3 - Operation....................C3-1 Principal Connectors and Keys ............C3-1...
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460 User’s Guide Current Shunt Adapter - A130 ............C5-2 Pressure Adapter - A620 ..............C5-2 PC Software & RS232 Cable - A404 ..........C5-3 C6 - Safety Considerations ................C6-1 Instrument ..................C6-1 Environmental..................C6-2 Appendix A - Test and Calibration ..............A-1 Appendix B - Maintenance Considerations ..........B-1 Appendix C - Glossary ................C-1 Appendix D - Optional RS-232C / PC Interface..........D-1 Appendix E - Troubleshooting ..............E-1...
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Chapter 1 Introduction This manual describes the TPI Scope Plus 460 and its functions. Normal and advanced functions are covered in detail, as well as interactions with computers and other instrumentation. A full chapter is also devoted to safety considerations, both instrument based and interactively. The fol-...
460 User’s Guide Introduction Special Applications. Appendix E - This Troubleshooting appendix covers problems that may arise during installation or operation of your new TPI Scope Plus 460. Features The following features exist for the TPI Scope Plus 460: "...
460 User’s Guide Introduction A296 - Up to 1000 AC/DC amps Specifications Display: Size 76mm X 76mm (3" X 3") Pixels 240 X 240 pixels LCD type STN Normally Gray or Black Back Light CCFL Memory: Waveform Screens (2) Setup User setup (1) Power: External...
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460 User’s Guide Introduction Accuracy +/- (3% + 0.05 range/div) Display modes CH1, Dual Maximum Input Voltage 600V Trigger: Position Ver 1; Fixed Position / Ver 3; Adjustable Position Mode Free run, normal Source Internal (CH1/CH2) Slope Positive/Negative Sensitivity Real time sampling ..2 divisions or more Equivalent sampling ..
Chapter 2 Getting Started This chapter will get you started with the TPI Scope Plus 460. It will include initial power up, fol- lowed by a series of DMM and static tests. More detailed operations will be the subject of the next chapter.
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460 User’s Guide Getting Started 3. Press F2 (below the 4. Press the Up or Down direction Contrast Label). arrows to change contrast. 1. Press the POWER ON 2. Press the User Button Button Figure 2-1. Contrast Adjustment with Low Visibility C2-2...
460 User’s Guide Getting Started time it will revert to the maximum brightness level. NOTE: The Brightness control effects the backlighting whereas Contrast effects the intensity of the liquid crystal display (both for the tracing beams and the text display). You have now completed the basic setup.
460 User’s Guide Getting Started Using the HOLD/RUN button will freeze the trace and allow waveform characteristics to be measured precisely against the background grid. Measuring Resistance With the 460 set for Input A (Ch A button), use the down arrow to set the highlight on OHM.
Chapter 3 Operation This chapter provides a general overview of the tpi Scope Plus 460 from an operations point of view. The keys and adapter connectors will first be identified followed by a pictorial description of the key and screen menu functions.
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460 User’s Guide Operation backlit LCD screen. The button has ten cycles of brightness, after which it resets to the first position. Common (Ground) Channel B Connector Channel A Connector Ch A Ch B Alphanumeric RS-232C Display Area Connector Dual Trace Display Area Power Plug...
460 User’s Guide Operation AUTO This is the Auto Ranging and optimal setting button. In the AUTO mode, the 460 will sense the parameter being measured and automatically adjust the oscilloscope timebase to suit. The button also toggles between AUTO and MANUAL modes. Note that the previous manual settings are lost once auto mode has activated.
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460 User’s Guide Operation Table 3-1. 460 User Function / Menu Interactions – Part 1 Table 3-1. 460 User Function / Menu Interactions – Part 1 DIODE DIODE FREQ FREQ BEEP BEEP Blue Blue Blue Blue FREQ FREQ /inHg /inHg /Psi /Psi 100mV...
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460 User’s Guide Operation Table 3-2. 460 User Function / Menu Interactions – Part 2 USER Brown CON- POWER AFTER EXIT 10 MIN TRAST 232C DOWN AFTER 20 MIN AFTER 30 MIN SCOPE DIS- / S2 MOVE ABLE Brown TRIGG- EXIT SOURCE A, B...
Chapter 4 Advanced Functions This chapter assumes the user has now become proficient with the general use of the tpi Scope Plus 460, and is ready to utilize the more enhanced operations of the 460’s built-in oscilloscopes and related logic circuits.
460 User’s Guide Advanced Functions Glitch Capture The tpi Scope Plus 460 incorporates this feature for capturing intermittent or single event voltage spikes occurring in a circuit. The spike is automatically detected, captured, and displayed for analysis on the screen.
Using the 10:1 Probe The TPI Scope Plus 460 is also available with selectable attenuation probes (e.g. P/N SP60B). These are usually in the form of a probe body with a 3-position switch, 1-meter co-axial lead ter- minating at the meter end with a BNC connector with an adapter for the 460 socket. This set-up contains its own ground lead exiting from the probe body, and is supplied with a number of dif- ferent probe tips.
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460 User’s Guide Advanced Functions connect the probe to the 460 and set up a 1 KHz square wave using an external signal generator. Method 1 Connect the 10:1 Adapter BNC connector to the Ch A socket on the 460. Press the 460 SCOPE key.
Using Adapters Chapter 5 Using Adapters This chapter covers general information on the accessories available for use with the tpi 460 Handheld Oscilloscope. For detailed information, please refer to the data sheets provided with each adapter. Temperature Adapter - A301...
Current Shunt Adapter - A130 This adapter is an inexpensive way of extending the current range of your tpi 460 Handheld Oscilloscope to 30 amps. The A130 comes with two probes and is used in series with the circuit to be measured. The unit uses the power being measured and requires no batteries.
460 User’s Guide Using Adapters 1mV/inHg selections as required. On the A620, use the BAR switch position to measure vacuum or the X10psi position to measure pressures from 1 to 500psi. Use the ZERO control only if you know the pressure to be zero and stable, or at a standardized pressure.
460 User’s Guide Safety Considerations Chapter 6 Safety Considerations This chapter deals with various aspects of safety, both for personnel and the instrument. Also included is a List of safety signals and their meanings. Instrument Cautions Test the Instrument before using o Check Backlighting and Contrast (this will also accomplish a quick test on the battery level).
460 User’s Guide Safety Considerations Personnel/Environmental Factors / Warnings Assign a Checker o Arrange to have someone check on you periodically. This is especially true of high voltage environments. An unconscious worker stands a better chance of survival if resuscitation is given in the shortest time after an accident. Do not attempt to measure unknown voltages or currents o With modern cabling, it is easy to assume that a small size wire or cable is carrying a voltage or current that is less than actual.
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460 User’s Guide Safety Considerations This combination label signifies that there is a strong possibility of electrical shock in this area. Proper attire, and especially insulated footwear are required in these areas. This International symbol signifies that conditions exist that could result in bodily harm.
Appendix A Test and Calibration This chapter is designed to re-affirm that your TPI Scope Plus 460 is functioning correctly and is on a par with the original calibration. This test and calibration procedure can be used as an annual test, goods inward (Acceptance) test, or re-affirmation test when readings have not been expected ones.
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460 User’s Guide Test and Calibration Sequencing Test This test will verify that the internal multiplexors are correctly sequencing information to the dis- play. Note that much of the sequence is dependent on the previous display, so many of these steps will not work when separated from the overall context.
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460 User’s Guide Test and Calibration Press SCOPE, then F2 (PROBE ADJUST). the following display should result. Press ENTER to leave the PROBE ADJUST display, then complete the Scope input using the ENTER button and Direction keys. Then press Ch A, ACV, then F3 (TREND). You should get the following menu display: Repeat the sequence for Step 6, except in the last step, press F2 (TRIGGER), instead of F3.
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460 User’s Guide Test and Calibration Press F1 (EXIT) to leave the Trigger menu, then ENTER. Now press Ch B. The following menu should result. The previous screen shows the Channel B available selections. Click through the sequence until you get to 1mV/Psi. Then finish the other selections and click ENTER. - Check that the display shows Psi units at the top left of the screen.
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460 User’s Guide Test and Calibration Use the direction arrows to move down the menu to BEEP. Select F4 to acknowledge selection. The following screen display should result. Press CH A to return to the original Channel A menu, except this time use the direction keys to move down to the DIODE selection.
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460 User’s Guide Test and Calibration Press the Ch B key, then F4 to acknowledge exiting the Diode Test mode. Select Ch B a second time to bring the selection options up to the top of the menu. Then in the Channel B menu, select ON, ENTER, ACV, ENTER.
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460 User’s Guide Test and Calibration Press the Ch B key. Select ON and ACV, then press F4 (ENTER) to enter the command. You should get the following screen. Battery Check In the screen shown above, use the keys F1 and F4 to separate and position the two traces from Channel A and Channel B in conjunction with the Up and Down arrow buttons.
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460 User’s Guide Test and Calibration Select the correct baud rate for your computer and press F4 (ENTER). Refer to Appendix D for other RS-232 interface details. While still in the USER / CONTRAST Menu, select F4 to activate the POWER DOWN menu. Then press ENTER.
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460 User’s Guide Test and Calibration " Make sure that both the instrument and test leads are not close or parallel to electro- magnetic sources which could be picked up by the 460 and/or the leads and which could effect readings. "...
Appendix B Maintenance This chapter covers basic maintenance for the hand-held TPI Scope Plus 460. These procedures include general inspection, use and inspection of probes, and battery check and replacement. Note that attempts to perform maintenance beyond the scope of this document, especially alter- ations to interior settings, may result in a default of your warranty coverage.
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460 User’s Guide Maintenance The bandwidth of the 460 is 20 Mhz. Not all probes have this much bandwidth. If you use probes with lesser bandwidth, the measurements and waveform interpretation may be inaccurate. Check the specifications of the probes you receive before using them. The ground potential in the shield of most co-axial type probes is the same potential as the “Common”...
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Assembly The 460 uses a TPI A006 replacement 4.8V rechargeable Ni-Cad battery. Unpack and check the battery type and the existence of a 4-pin plug on the end of the leads. The battery comes uncharged and will need to be fully charged after installation.
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460 User’s Guide Maintenance Use single loop U configu- ration between connector and battery outlet. Fig. B-1. Pre-install Battery Wire position Fold wire within confines of inner battery compartment Fig. B-2 Battery Wire position after installation Note topside position of guide bar, and location of red wires to right side.
Appendix C Glossary The following terms are pertinent to the TPI Scope Plus 460 and the environment in which it typically works. The meanings in other environments may be different to those described here. Cross references in this glossary are identified with an asterisk (*).
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460 User’s Guide Glossary Contrast The level difference between light and dark. Continuity Beeper Audible tone emitted from a meter when the resistance falls below a preset threshold value (typically 100 Ohms). Cosine F Voltage and Current do not always happen together, often there is a difference.
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An output from a meter or controller which is used to indicate when a preset measurement point has been reached or exceeded. On the tpi 460, the continuity checker is a form of Go/No Go alarm Kelvin Connection A four wire method of connecting test leads which is designed to eliminate or greatly reduce the effect of lead and contact resistance and thus permitting accurate measurements of low resistance.
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460 User’s Guide Glossary per digit Orange, yellow and Green are common LED colors. Load A device that is driven by the output of a meter or other measuring or control equipment. An example of a load is a resistor being measured by a multimeter.
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460 User’s Guide Glossary differ electrically they will effect metering. The most common electrical difference is a change in attenuation. tpi probes typically come with attenuations of either 1:1 or 10:1. Probe Adjust For the meter to read accurately, the DUT and input capacitances should match.
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460 User’s Guide Glossary signals. Thermistor A resistive temperature measurement device whose resistance decreases as the temperature increases. A thermistor is a stable, compact and rugged two terminal ceramic-like semiconductor bead. Thermocouple A 2-wire temperature measurement sensor constructed of two dissimilar metals which form a junction.
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460 User’s Guide RS-232C / PC Interface Appendix D RS - 232C / PC Interface (Optional) The RS-232C / PC Interface is a powerful tool for downloading instrument data, especially wave- forms to your PC for subsequent program integration. In addition you are able to view your waveforms on a larger scale, on a clearer grid and in a color of your choice.
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460 User’s Guide RS-232C / PC Interface Figure D-1. Basic 460 RS-232C display Assign a save identifier for both channels. To do this, select the Save button for Channel 1. Click the entry box and enter an identifier (See Figures D-2 and D-3).
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460 User’s Guide RS-232C / PC Interface Figure D-2. Save Input Display Channel 2 Identifier Channel 1 Identifier Figure D-3. Waveform Display with Identifiers Press Load for Channel 1, and enter the load identifier into the entry box. Use the Browser utility if needed. Then click Ok. (See example in Fig. D-4). The result will be the waveform previously recorded.
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460 User’s Guide RS-232C / PC Interface Select Ok when done Frequency (In current example) File Identifier Figure D-4. Waveform Load Example Print Management The print management buttons are at the lower left part of the RS-232 display. See also Fig. D-5 Figure D-5.
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460 User’s Guide RS-232C / PC Interface Figure D-6. Waveform Print Sample Use Screen Print to print the whole display area including keys, waveform and identifiers. This print will preserve a copy of the information using the same color identification chosen for the screen display. Controlling the A460 from the PC There are four types of control available to control the 460 from the PC side.
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The A460 with the RS-232C facility offers a powerful tool in waveform evaluation and testing management. The following suggestions of usage are just a few of many the many choices you can pursue to increase your TPI Scope Plus 460 investment opportunities. "...
Appendix E Troubleshooting This chapter provides a resource for troubleshooting the hand-held TPI Scope Plus 460. Common problems are addressed from the point of view of the new user, and responded to with methods that correct the problem in a majority of cases. Try these solutions before calling the TPI service department for assistance.
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460 User’s Guide Troubleshooting If none of the above methods work in your case, the battery is suspect. Refer to Appendix B to check and/or replace your battery. If the battery is replaced, you will need to re-perform the contrast setting described in Chapter 2. Front Panel Buttons do not give consistent results Many of the front panel buttons are dual purpose.
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460 User’s Guide Troubleshooting Note that in terms of shape, the sine and sawtooth waveforms are hardly effected. Only the squaretooth waveform shows excessive shape change effect and, for this type of attenuation, mostly effecting the leading edge. Refer to the procedure outlined in chapter 4 which uses a square wave to adjust the 10:1 probe for proper compensation RS-232 link will not capture waveforms.
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