Good set of probes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: ziggyfish
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2016, 09:45:06 am
content: I finally got around to getting myself a power supply and oscilloscope. However, the probes that came with the scope aren't that great.Do you guys recommend any mid-range probes?

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2016, 10:14:08 am
content: RS and Farnell sell probes that cost up to ~£5000, so I suppose a "mid-range" probe will cost maybe £1000.If you were to give us a clue aboutwhat you will use it to measure, and maybe safety specs, voltages, bandwidths and acceptable prices, then people might be able to give you a more directed answer.

author: danadak
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2016, 08:14:32 pm
content: For the more advanced probe requirements (read big $$$$) there are online severalDIY articles for making them, like differential, isolated, FET.....Jim Williams at LTC did several designs.Regards, Dana.

author: ziggyfish
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2016, 12:23:16 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on October 22, 2016, 10:14:08 amI want to measure PWM signals, overshoot and undershoot of MCU supply voltage.The voltages are 5V and 3.3V.And really anything is acceptable as long as it gets the job done.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2016, 12:50:31 am
content: Its extremely rare for any cheap x10 or x1/x10 switchable probe not to have a bandwidth >30MHz, which is plenty for monitoring any MCU power rail or PWM output. Unless you have x1 (only) probes, they should be fine.All x10 (or x1/x10 on x10) probes *MUST* be compensated for the scope's input capacitance by adjusting the trimmer (on the probe body or connector) to minimise overshoot or undershoot on edges, otherwise the displayed amplitude and waveshape will be extremely misleading.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2016, 01:58:12 am
content: Quote from: ziggyfish on October 22, 2016, 09:45:06 amSo your scope didn't come with probes, you don't say.For everyday general use get some of the P6100 probes, 10:1, 1:1 100 MHz, they're available in many listings on eBay, Alliexpress and probably Gumtree too. If you hunt you'll find the for $15/pair.

author: JS
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2016, 02:06:02 am
content: Quote from: Ian.M on October 23, 2016, 12:50:31 amx10 proves usually have the comp in the connector while x1/x10 usually have them in the probe, and the x1 mode have lower bandwidth. Other factor is x1 have higher input capacitance. Usually x10 only proves are better than the switchable as it allows to be better designed without some constrains given by the switching, also x10 are usually better than x1 probes. I said usually since I'm speaking of comparable price ranges and within reason, there are cases of really crappy fixed and decent or good switched probes. If you already have a reasonable x1 probe (or switchable) you should probably try to get a fixed x10, as it's the most used, x1 only used for low level, low bandwidth measurements.JS

author: ziggyfish
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2016, 04:13:17 am
content: Quote from: Ian.M on October 23, 2016, 12:50:31 amOk, thanks. I've compensated my PP-150 100MHz/6MHz probes. So they should work for what I am needing them for. I was under the assumption that I needed good quality leads for MCU monitoring.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2016, 10:48:51 am
content: What is your scope ?Probes choice depends on the scope, chose probe for a 20 Mhz old analog scope is one thing while chose for a 1 Ghz one is another totally different thing, you need to specify the scope before ask.