Please suggest a 4ch scope with isolated/differential inputs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: strantor
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 02:25:56 pm
content: I use my scope mostly to test variable frequency motor drive output in the field, so I need something with isolated/differential inputs and as reasonably portable as possible. I currently use a Tektronix THS720P provided by my employer and I am happy with it, but I would like to ween myself off of employer-provided tools and upgrade to 4 channels. I have been looking around and I am aware of the Fluke Scopemeter, the Tektronix THS3000 and the Tektronix TPS2000. I would like any of those, but the price is more than I can afford; So I am looking for similar offerings in the cheaper brands like Rigol, Owon, etc., but I cannot find anything with isolated channels from those guys.I am willing to buy used.Here are my requirements:musthave4(or more)isolated/differentialchannelsHere are my desires:I would like to spend <$1,500USD if possible.100MHz or better preferreddecent single shot sample rate and buffer sizeMSO/logic analyzer digitial inputs would be cool, but I'm pretty sure this doesn't exist in scopes with isolated channelsexport data to PC by any means (CF card/usb/ethernet)Handheld form factor if possible; if not possible, then at least Smaller than a giant bench unit (ex: tps2000 is acceptable)Cool features & measurements (ex: tps2000 with TPS2PWR1 plug-in option calculates power factor, transistor switching losses, etc.)Or, if anybody knows of a 4 channel differential-interface-module-type-thingamajig, that would allow 4 differential measurements on a ground-referenced scope, that would be cool too; probably doesn't exist since I just dreamed it up. That would be much more awesome than buying 3 or 4 differential probes.

author: strantor
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 02:29:26 pm
content: Oh, forgot to mention; PC-based scopes are acceptable (even preferred, if the specs are right - so far I haven't seen one that wasn't pathetic and overpriced).

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 08:10:36 pm
content: 4 isolated channel handheld 100 MHz scope, yep that would be nice. Not sure they exist.Check out the Siglent isolated channel hand helds.http://www.siglent.com/en/product/detail4.aspx?id=100000001577369&nodecode=119008004They also have 2 Ch ISFE (isolated front end) units.http://www.siglent.com/en/product/detail5.aspx?id=100000013462552&nodecode=119008006And you have a US agent on this forum

author: The Electrician
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 08:51:22 pm
content: You're not going to find a 4 channel isolated input scope with 100 MHz bandwidth for <$1500 new, so used is going to be your only option.I see some TPS2000 series units for about $2k on eBay.I think the THS3000 are too new for many to show up used yet.

author: casinada
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 01:28:20 am
content: The only thing affordable is the Hantek 1000S series but is only 2 channels.http://www.hantek.com/en/ProductDetail_18.htmlI have a scopemeter 199C and is great. I also purchased a 100:1 probe that is of decent quality and looks like the Fluke probes.http://www.ebay.com/itm/GRS-5KV-300MHz-High-Voltage-Oscilloscope-Alligator-Clip-Probe-P2300C-100-1-/370860980991?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5659097aff

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 09:37:49 am
content: Quote from: casinada on April 19, 2014, 01:28:20 amI'm interested, is this probe has switchable attenuation levels or its fixed at 100:1 ? (I prefer fixed one)At that ebay page, it says at the specification ->System bandwidth:10X:DC-300MHz, is that just a typo ?

author: casinada
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 04:12:55 pm
content: it is fixed.I have the P2300C (300Mhz)There are 4 models:P2300C (300Mhz) 100x1P2500C (500Mhz) 100x1P2300B (300Mhz) 10x1P2500B (500Mhz) 10x1

author: strantor
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2014, 06:49:43 pm
content: Is that ebay probe double-attenuated like a probe for differential input scopes should be?