Figure 3–39: A6303 Current Probe Used In The Am 503S Opt. 03 - Tektronix TDS 410A User Manual

Probe Selection
Current Probes
Optical Probes
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Two types of current probes are available: one that measures AC current only
and AC/DC probes that utilize the Hall effect to accurately measure the AC and
DC components of a signal. AC-only current probes use a transformer to convert
AC current flux into a voltage signal to the oscilloscope and have a frequency
response from a few hundred Hertz up to 1 GHz. AC/DC current probes include
Hall effect semiconductor devices and provide frequency response from DC to
50 MHz.
Use a current probe (see Figure 3–39) by clipping its jaws around the wire
carrying the current that you want to measure. (Unlike an ammeter which you
must connect in series with the circuit.) Because current probes are non-invasive,
with loading typically in the milliohm to low
where low loading of the circuit is important. Current probes can also make
differential measurements by measuring the results of two opposing currents in
two conductors in the jaws of the probe.
Figure 3–39: A6303 Current Probe Used in the AM 503S Opt. 03
Optical probes let you blend the functions of an optical power meter with the
high-speed analog waveform analysis capability of an oscilloscope. You have the
capability of acquiring, displaying, and analyzing optical and electrical signals
simultaneously.
Applications include measuring the transient optical properties of lasers, LEDs,
electro-optic modulators, and flashlamps. You can also use these probes in the
development, manufacturing, and maintenance of fiber optic control networks,
local area networks (LANs), fiber-based systems based on the FDDI and SONET
standard, optical disk devices, and high-speed fiber optic communications
systems.
W
range, they are especially useful
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