Probe Selection Guide
Finding the right probe for your oscilloscope application is easy. Use our Probe Selection Guide to quickly choose the right item.
For more details, click here to view the Tektronix's Probe Selection Guide
Performance Passive Probes
Passive voltage probes ship standard with most oscilloscopes and provide a low cost, general purpose probing solution. Generally, these probes lack the performance of an active voltage probe but provide the ruggedness and wide dynamic range suitable for visualizing signals over a broad range of applications. Tektronix has released a new class of passive probes that redefine performance in the passive probe product category.
Tektronix new class of passive probe solutions offer:
- Best-in-class bandwidth up to 1 GHz
- Best-in-class input capacitance as low as 3.9 pF which minimizes probe loading effects
- Best-in-class input capacitance which minimizes performance loss when long ground leads are attached
- Automated probe compensation eliminating the need for the compensation screwdriver
Active Probes - Low Voltage Single-Ended
A low voltage single-ended probe is typically used for measuring high-speed, ground referenced signals up to 12 V. These low voltage probes are the best choice for making measurements on high impedance, high frequency circuit elements which require minimal probe loading. Users should select probes with a low input capacitance specification (~1 pF) to minimize the probe’s loading effect on the circuit. A probe with lower input capacitance will offer higher input impedance at higher frequencies.
Tektronix Low Voltage Single-ended Probe solutions offer:
- Bandwidths up to 4 GHz.
- Very high input impedance with low input capacitance (<1 pF)
- Most extensive set of probe accessories for optimum measurement performance
Power Rail Probes
The TPR1000 and TPR4000 probes provide a low noise, large offset range solution for measurement of ripple on DC power rails ranging from –60 to +60 VDC. Tektronix’s power rail probes offer industry leading low noise and high offset range required to measure AC ripple between 200 μV p-p and 800 mV p-p at up to 4 GHz.
Key Specs:
- <300 μV p-p noise on 6 Series MSO (20 MHz BW Limit)
- <1 mV p-p noise on 6 Series MSO (Full Bandwidth)
- ±60 V offset range
- Offset setting error: ±2 mV max, ±0.4 μV typical
Differential Probes - Low Voltage
Differential signaling used in high speed serial standards requires very accurate characterization. The industry leading bandwidth and signal fidelity found in a Tektronix low voltage differential probe ensures that you see every possible detail. Tektronix offers TriMode™ architecture which streamlines measurement acquisition by enabling you to make differential, single-ended, and common mode measurements with a single connection!
Current Probes
Tektronix current probe solutions offer:
- The broadest range of AC/DC and AC-only current probes
- Measurement accuracy from µAs to 2000 A
- Best-in-class bandwidth up to 120 MHz
- Best-in-class current clamp sensitivity down to 1 Ma
- The only products with 3rd Party Safety Certification (UL, CSA, ETL)
- The only products with bare wire voltage ratings
- Automatic readout and scaling when used with Tektronix oscilloscopes so you don’t have to convert volts to amps or manually set the scaling
High Voltage Probes - Single-Ended
A high voltage single-ended probe is typically used for measuring ground referenced signals up to 40 kV. However, some single-ended probes are designed for instruments with isolated or floating inputs for measurements that are not ground referenced. Users should select probes with a low input capacitance specification (< 4 pF) to minimize the probe’s loading effect on the circuit because a probe with lower input capacitance will offer higher input impedance at higher frequencies.
Tektronix High Voltage Probe solutions offer:
- Best-in-class bandwidth up to 800 MHz
- Best-in-class probe loading with input capacitance as low as 1.8 Pf
- The only products with 3rd Party Safety Certification (UL, CSA, ETL)
- Most extensive set of probe accessories
Differential Probes - High Voltage
A high voltage differential probe is used for measuring the voltage difference between two test points where neither test point is at ground. High voltage differential probes from Tektronix can be used for signals up to 6000 V. These probes are the best choice for making non-ground referenced, floating or isolated measurements in large part due to their common mode rejection capability. These products are designed, manufactured, and serviced by Tektronix.
Tektronix High Voltage Differential Probe solutions offer:
- Best-in-class bandwidth and probe loading
- The only products with 3rd Party Safety Certification (UL, CSA, ETL)
- High and medium voltage products to support varying dynamic range and measurement resolution requirements
- Most extensive set of probe accessories
IsoVu Differential Isolated Measurement System
IsoVu® probes are the right tool for today’s demanding power measurement challenges given their industry leading 1 GHz bandwidth, 160 dB or 100 Million to 1 common mode rejection, 60 kV common mode voltage, large ± 2500 V differential range and superior probe loading.
