Ah smaller scope probes, yippee... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: alanambrose
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2020, 09:03:37 am
content: https://www.eenewsembedded.com/news/passive-oscilloscope-probes-help-dense-pcbs?news_id=130649A.

author: Weston
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2020, 12:10:32 am
content: Almost every test equipment manufacture sells these 2.5mm scope probes now. They are all made by PMKhttps://www.pmk.de/en/products/2_5_mm_tastkoepfeI am unsure if its just a re-brand or if PMK is making minor modifications to the compensation network for different companies / different scope front ends.Sadly, PMK is pretty unwilling to sell the probes directly and most companies add a significant markup.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2020, 12:15:41 am
content: Those probes look quite chunky compared to some of the Keysight ones, where you can unscrew the grip, remove most of the plastic, and leave a very slim probe.

author: snoopy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2020, 08:57:59 am
content: I've got a set of 4 of these tiny Tek SMD probes but the trick is you need 4 hands to use them all at once or you have to solder the clips onto your board

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2020, 01:06:17 pm
content: Dang and i thought my Agilent 1160A probes are small.Still i do love the nice thin "wet noodle" bendy cable on them tho.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2020, 01:55:04 pm
content: Good, I always wondered why scope probes need to be so large when you're just probing around in circuits where 5 volts is considered a dangerous high voltage... Or tooling around a Commodore 64.I always liked the HP 10433A style probe, with the clip thingy that lets you strap the probe to a particular pin on a DIP and holds it in place.They are fragile and kinda rare now so I'm glad to see new small probes.

author: graybeard
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2020, 07:48:48 pm
content: TheHP 10400 type oscilloscope probesare my favorite.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2020, 04:23:57 am
content: Quote from: graybeard on August 13, 2020, 07:48:48 pmDo they still make these? I fished up a few on eBay, one was NOS. The other one disintegrated quite quickly, I'm scared to use the NOS one too much now.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2020, 04:00:58 pm
content: Quote from: Alex Eisenhut on August 13, 2020, 01:55:04 pmOscilloscope probes were getting smaller until creepage and clearance requirements started to be enforced, and there was no way a 400 volt probe could meet them. That is also when multimeters, power supplies, and other test equipment started using proprietary incompatible shrouded banana jacks and plugs.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2020, 05:54:27 pm
content: Quote from: Alex Eisenhut on August 14, 2020, 04:23:57 amIf they are under your control, and you don't abuse them, they last pretty well. If they are shared they tend to die quite quickly. The same could be said of a lot of test leads and probe.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2020, 05:55:35 pm
content: Quote from: David Hess on August 14, 2020, 04:00:58 pmMost people don't need scope probes rated for 400V. They only ever look at small signals in low voltage circuits with them.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2020, 06:01:53 pm
content: Quote from: coppice on August 14, 2020, 05:55:35 pmI agree but most oscilloscope inputs are rated to 400 volts peak.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2020, 06:54:50 pm
content: Quote from: coppice on August 14, 2020, 05:54:27 pmOh yes that is certainly the case. At work quite a few probes went dead because random people who barely even know how to use a scope don't look after them. And this happened even with regular probes, not any special delicate miniature ones.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2020, 08:00:24 pm
content: Before retirement, my analog lab hated to lend scope probes to the digital guys, since they always came back without the ground lead and often without the "witch's hat" shroud.

author: srb1954
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2020, 01:41:21 am
content: Or they break the probe tip off altogether.I never, ever let anyone borrow my scope probes. Consequently all the probes I have bought new still have their tips and earth leads intact and a full complement of witches hats and other accessories.