High Voltage Probe Suggestion Needed - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: TheRuler8510
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2014, 06:21:50 am
content: hey guys,Does anybody have a suggestion on what kind of high voltage probe I need to get that will work with my Fluke 87-V to measure 5KV-10KV?I know nothing about these probes. I assume they do voltage division of 10:1 or 100:1. Do I have that right?I was hoping to get something on on eBay for $50-$60, if not, what do I need--or do I have the wrong idea entirely?Thanks,

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2014, 10:31:48 am
content: For high voltage measurements with a multimeter, I have one of these older Fluke 80K-6 High Voltage probes for up to 6 kVYou find them for low cost on ebay:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-80K-6-HV-High-Voltage-6000-Volt-Probe-Multi-meter-Accessory-Very-Nice-/121338306864Agilent also has one in the accessory departmentThis one goes up to 20 kVhttp://www.home.agilent.com/en/pd-1000003703%3Aepsg%3Apro-pn-34136A/high-voltage-probe?&cc=DE&lc=gerProbe Characteristics:Multimeter impedance: 10 M?DC Accuracy, 2% from 1 kV to 20 kV, 3% to 40 kVAC Accuracy, 5% at 60 Hz; derates with frequency to -3 dB at 300 HzInput resistance: 1000 M?Maximum voltage, 40 kVDCLength: cable is 1 meterTermination: shrouded banana plugs and ground clipI have one of these Agilent probes as well, and it was new around Euro 150, if I remember right.But it all depends on what kind of signals you want to measure.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 10, 2014, 11:50:46 am
content: I have the Fluke 80K-6 and it works fine business. I used it to check voltages on an analog scope with no issues. I paid $65 for a Fluke 27FM multimeter, a set of probes and a hard case along with the HV probe. It was military surplus and the probe looked like it hadn't been used.

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2014, 12:54:23 pm
content: Since you stated that you need to measure voltages between 5 and 10 kV, an 80K-6 would not be adequate.The Fluke 80K-15 or 80K-40 probes would do the job, and can be readily found on eBay:This80K-40 is currently on offer at $89.95.

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2014, 01:49:15 pm
content: Quote from: TheRuler8510 on May 10, 2014, 06:21:50 amI did a video on this topic... ...be careful that the input impedance of the meter will change depending on the voltage range!

author: Flump
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2014, 02:02:03 pm
content: Heres Mine!

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2014, 02:28:55 pm
content: Quote from: w2aew on May 10, 2014, 01:49:15 pmw2aew,What a nice Video you made, thanks for that.I had no idea, that the RCA probe was available at so many different resistor values, always thought that they are all 990 MOhm.

author: TheRuler8510
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2014, 02:29:50 am
content: Thanks guys, that clears it all up...and excellent video too!Regards,Tom

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2014, 05:38:03 pm
content: Quote from: w2aew on May 10, 2014, 01:49:15 pmI learned this lesson with a Fluke 80K-6 which I picked up for measuring the cathode voltage on a Tektronix 7834 that I was refurbishing. I wanted to check the calibration of the probe which was used but in excellent condition and the multimeter I was using but when I broke out my HP3478A, it read high on the lower voltage ranges (30mV, 300mV, 3V) while all of my other multimeters, I have quite a collection, were consistent. I had already suspected this would happen and a quick calculation showed that the high reading was consistent with the others when the high input resistance was considered. I ultimately satisfied myself that accuracy would be well within the specification for the probe although it would be nice to have a high voltage calibrated source for such checks.This would be an even larger problem with cheap multimeters that do not have a calibrated 10 MOhm input resistance.I still use the 7834. It is faster than any DSO that I can afford.