Max Voltage for Rigol DS1052E & DS1102E? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MarkF786
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 01, 2012, 05:00:25 pm
content: On the specifications for the DS1052E & DS1102E, it states the max input voltage is 300V. Is that with the 1X probe, meaning that with the 10X probe it could handle 3000V? I'm looking to buy one for use with tube amplifiers where the voltage can exceed 300V. Do you see any problem with using the Rigol for this application?On a side note, with the price difference between the DS1052E & DS1102E now only being $50, do you think it's worth saving the $50 and buying the DS1052E and upgrading it to 100MHz? Are there issues with upgrading from the current firmware currently shipping on the DS1052E?Thanks for your help!Mark

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 01, 2012, 05:13:39 pm
content: There are two relevant limits: the scope limit and the probe limit. The voltage the scope sees is attenuated by the probe. The probe itself also has a voltage limit, however, and it's likely much less than 3000V. If you exceed this limit, the probe may fail shorted, and the scope input may suddenly see the full voltage. 100x probes are commonly used for these voltages, but I would make sure to get a brand-name one, not a crappy DealExtreme one that's unlikely to be safe at 3 kV.

author: MarkF786
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 01, 2012, 06:01:26 pm
content: alm,Thanks so much for the reply. I wouldn't be going up to 3000V; more like 400V or so. I just want to make sure that the 300V spec is using the 1X probe, meaning that I can exceed it using the 10X probe. Can I assume the probes can handle 400V?I'm a bit of a newbie, though I've been tinkering with electronics for 25+ years (since I was around 15) and attended university for EE for three years before I had to leave due to illness (and later finished my degree in Comp Sci since that's what I was doing at the time). I have a fair understanding of electronics but I'm looking to improve it. I used a scope back in university so I have a idea on how to use it, but I don't know a lot about them and am looking to buy my first one. Originally I was looking at used analog Tek scopes (22xx or 24xx), but I figured the Rigol might be a better option since it's new, warranted, smaller, etc.Mark

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2012, 06:39:41 pm
content: I have a DS1102E. This is what the specifications say about voltages:ScopeMaximum Input Voltage400V (DC+AC Peak, 1Mohm input impedance)Maximum input voltage on analog channelCAT I 300Vrms, 1000Vpk; instantaneous overvoltage 1000VpkCAT II 100Vrms, 1000VpkRP2200 10:1 : CAT II 300VrmsRP3200 10:1 : CAT II 300VrmsRP3300 10:1 : CAT II 300VrmsProbesThe passive probes have a 6MHz bandwidth with a rating of 150V CAT II when the switch is in the 1X position, and a Full oscilloscope bandwidth with a rating of 300 V CAT II when the switch is in the 10X position.The voltage specs on the scope seem somewhat contradictory,since 300 V RMS = 425 V peak, but it seems fair to say the Rigol probes are not designed for higher voltages.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 01, 2012, 06:50:30 pm
content: According to the Rigol website, the rigol 10x probes are rated for CAT II 300Vrms, so I wouldn't bet on them being able to handle 400V. No mention of a higher CAT I rating.Quote from: IanB on January 01, 2012, 06:39:41 pmThe limit is both 300Vrms and 1000Vpk. The sqrt(2) factor only applies for sinusoidal signals. A square wave with a low duty cycle may have a much higher crest factor. In that case the limit is 1000Vpk, even if the RMS voltage is < 300V.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2012, 06:57:01 pm
content: Quote from: alm on January 01, 2012, 06:50:30 pmOops, forgot about that. But what about the "max 400 V input voltage"?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 01, 2012, 07:05:15 pm
content: Not sure what this refers to, since the analog input channels are specced separately. Maybe external trigger input or the digital LA inputs?

author: MarkF786
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 01, 2012, 07:06:57 pm
content: Would it make a difference if the 400V was DC with a small AC ripple?

author: Polossatik
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2012, 09:25:08 pm
content: Quote from: MarkF786 on January 01, 2012, 05:00:25 pmI have not seen any evidence so far there is any hardware difference between the DS1052E & DS1102E .So AFAIK, if you patch the DS1052E you have just the same specs as the DS1102E.if warranty is something you want , then you might consider paying the 50$ more for the DS1102E.I'm not sure if rigol can actually detect a patched DS1052E (assuming here you can "downgrade it before sending it back)

author: MarkF786
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 07, 2012, 12:48:05 am
content: I just bought a DS1052E for $314 straight from Rigol. Pretty good deal, it seems.I think I can avoid the high-voltage DC areas on the amp and focus more on the audio signal path in the amp, so I should be able to get by with less than 300V. Rigol said they have 1000X probes to handle higher voltages, but they probably cost more than the scope.50Mhz should fit my needs at first, but I can't resist tinkering so I'll eventually try the 100Mhz upgrade.Thanks for the feedback.Mark

author: MarkF786
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 12, 2012, 03:29:53 am
content: I must say, the Rigol kicks ass! I've been playing with it for a while tonight and didn't even need to break out a manual (and I haven't used a scope in nearly 20 years!). Sure, there are some menus but 90% of them are intuitive. I'm looking forward to trying it in some real-world situations rather than just looking at waveforms from an analog synth for fun, but so far so good.