Currently I'm using an old real time scope and a Fluke Scopemeter with isolated inputs. The Fluke doesn't work well on SMPSU, too much crap couples between channels.
I'm looking for 4 channels with isolated inputs, ideally not too expensive. Any recommendations?
The Tek TPS2000 series is great. We have a 2024 and I use it to work on power amplifiers and such. I can measure the gate-source voltage of a power mosfet, or opamp voltages, of stuff that's 200 volts off ground. You just don't care where you clip the probe ground lead. But they are expensive, starting at $3K.
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John Larkin Highland Technology Inc
www.highlandtechnology.com jlarkin at highlandtechnology dot com
The tek tps scopes also pick alot of noise on an smps. Just run your smps from an isolation transformer then you can ground what you like. Much cheaper too.
Hmm. How do you get 100MHz through test leads? I'm still looking for a diff probe where I can use normal probes. Maybe even 3 probes. Hook one to a reference point and the other two to signals.
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Failure does not prove something is impossible, failure simply
indicates you are not using the right tools...
an isolation transformer then you can ground what you like. Much cheaper too.
Yes, I do this too, but those isolation transformers can have lots of capacitance from primary to secondary. I suppose I could use one with a faraday shield inbetween, but then where does that get tied ? Might not make it work the best.
As for a differential probe with BNC to use a regular probe with, I have wondered about that myself. I'd rather use a real probe but the leads work. Kinda funky in a lot of ways though. Very big for one.
I guess we need some kind of mini-probe for those hard to get to places. boB
an isolation transformer then you can ground what you like. Much cheaper too.
You might poke around at
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I picked up a set of their spring-loaded DMM microtips I'm pretty happy with. Decent price and I can probe a 0.5mm TQFP without bridging or slipping off the pin. No experience with their differential probe.
Testpath gave the order details to Tek. Tek UK rang this morning, the short of it is they won't let me pay in the UK even if the scope is delivered in the USA.
They've passed me over to the local TekSelect agent. Waiting to see what they'll quote. Not expecting a sensible price.
I have to sign onto it before my scope will drop the legal splash screen! Then I can ignore it.. at least my car automatically drops the nav splash warning screen after a period of time. But does have the annoying habit of saying "if possible make a LEGAL U-turn". It got screwed up and kept sending me back and forth east-west four blocks when the actual destination was a couple blocks further west, all the time reminding me to make a _legal_ U-turn. Technology is wonderful.
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