Can I use 100 mhz probes on a 20 mhz analog scope? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: vigsgb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 04:52:48 am
content: I seen Dave's video on getting an oscilloscope for 50 bucks and managed to procure a two channel analog 20mhz one for 60 bucks and was wondering if I can use 100 mhz probes on it.

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 04:54:06 am
content: You can use high rated probes on lesser scope with no problem.

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 06:32:24 am
content: Sure you can use a probe that's better than your scope, but just make sure you are using 100 MHz probes, not 100mHz probes.

author: Legit-Design
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 06:50:29 am
content: You could even use probe that is "worse" than your scope, then you just need to be aware of the attenuation.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 07:53:29 am
content: Quote from: Legit-Design on February 26, 2014, 06:50:29 amI just guess it would be difficult to find less than 20MHz probes ?

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 08:03:00 am
content: QuoteMost probes in x1 mode will be less than 20MHzThe BNC to alligator clip things probably less than 1MHz

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 09:08:42 am
content: You might find that higher band width probes will not adjust correctly for a lower band width scope, very often high bandwidth probes are 17 or 10 pf whereas probes of low bandwidth are up to 40 pf this is due to the scope matching requirements.

author: 6E5
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 12:28:36 pm
content: Dave has a very nice video on why 1X probes have such reduced bandwidth

author: vigsgb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2014, 12:47:22 pm
content: Quote from: 6E5 on February 26, 2014, 12:28:36 pmI will have to watch that video.

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2014, 02:31:44 pm
content: Quote from: vigsgb on February 27, 2014, 12:47:22 pmAs mentioned previously, just be sure that the probe compensation adjustment will cover the input capacitance of your scope. If not, then your frequency response will suffer. For more detail, you might want to review my video on the basics of 1x and 10x probes:

author: vigsgb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2014, 11:06:09 pm
content: Quote from: w2aew on February 27, 2014, 02:31:44 pmI got a copy of the service manual and operators manual for my scope and found the impedance and order the probes. Thanks for all the help from everyone.

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2014, 11:19:02 pm
content: The input capacitance is almost always printed on the front panel, right next to the vertical input connectors.

author: vigsgb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2014, 06:37:52 pm
content: Quote from: w2aew on February 28, 2014, 11:19:02 pmI noticed that after watching several more videos. I liked the videos you have on your channel. Learned a lot of newbie stuff from them. Thanks for making them.Ironically my scope fell through for 50 bucks right after I ordered my probes but I got a 40Mhz one for 100.00 and the probes I got will work great.