TEKTRONIX P6022 Current Probe

TEKTRONIX P6022 Current Probe

Basic Information and Product Positioning

This document is the official manual for the Tektronix P6022 current probe (document number 070-0948-05). Its core function is to convert the AC current waveform into a voltage signal that can be measured by an oscilloscope, enabling current measurement without disconnecting the tested circuit. It is suitable for grounded general-purpose oscilloscopes with an input impedance of 1 M Ω and is mainly used in scenarios that require high-precision and wide frequency range current detection.

Core parameters of the product

1. Key electrical parameters (including guaranteed and typical characteristics)

Parameter Category Specific Indicator Remarks

Sensitivity options are available in two levels: 1 mA/mV and 10 mA/mV, controlled by the terminal sensitivity switch

Bandwidth (-3 dB) 1 mA/mV range: 8.5 kHz -100 MHz; 10 mA/mV range: 935 Hz-120 MHz requires an oscilloscope with a bandwidth ≥ 300 MHz

Intermediate frequency accuracy ± 3% calibration environment: 20 ° C-30 ° C (68 ° F-86 ° F)

Maximum current pulse current: 100 A peak (≤ 9 A · ms, if exceeded, the magnetic core will saturate); Continuous current: The reference frequency derating curve is 6 A p-p in the range of 3 kHz to 10 MHz at 10 mA/mV

Insertion impedance ≤ 0.03 Ω at 1 MHz and ≤ 0.2 Ω at 120 MHz affects high-frequency signal measurement, and attention should be paid to load effects

Rise time 1 mA/mV ≤ 3.2 ns; 10 mA/mV ≤ 2.9 ns reflects high-frequency response speed

Signal delay of about 9 ns with 5-foot probe cable and terminal

2. Environmental and mechanical parameters

Specific indicators for parameter categories

Working temperature: 0 ° C-50 ° C (32 ° F-122 ° F); Non working temperature: -40 ° C -65 ° C (-40 ° F -149 ° F)

Working altitude 2000 m (6561 ft); Non working altitude: 15240 m (50000 ft)

Cable length 5 feet (1.5 meters)

Weight probe+cable: 2.5 oz (≈ 71 g); Terminal: 1.7 oz (≈ 48 g)

The maximum wire diameter of 0.11 inches (2.79 mm) exceeding the specification will damage the probe clamp

Safety operation standards

1. General safety warning

Maintenance restrictions: Only qualified personnel are allowed to carry out repairs, avoiding separate operations. Before repairing, the power must be disconnected and refer to the safety summary.

Connection taboos: Do not plug or unplug probes/test wires with power on; The connection sequence is "connect the terminal to the oscilloscope first, then connect the probe to the circuit", and the disconnection sequence is reversed; The common terminal of the probe can only be grounded, and it is prohibited to connect to voltages higher than the ground potential.

Usage environment: Do not open the lid or use in damp/explosive environments; When measuring with bare wires, the voltage should not exceed 30 Vrms, 42 Vpk, or 60 VDC. Insulated wires are required above this voltage.

2. Probe operation safety

Sliding operation: When opening the sliding block, it should be held, and after placing the wire, it should be closed and locked (pushed to the transformer end about 1/8 inch) to ensure good contact between the two halves of the transformer.

Terminal protection: When measuring high currents, it is forbidden to disconnect the probe from the terminal (otherwise the secondary of the transformer will generate high voltage, causing electric shock or equipment damage).

Installation and usage guide

1. Installation steps

Terminal connection: Connect the BNC female head of the terminal to the probe output cable, and connect the BNC male head to the BNC input interface of the oscilloscope.

High frequency grounding: When measuring signals of ≥ 2 MHz, attach a 6-inch grounding wire to the probe transformer column and clamp it to RF ground to reduce interference and ringing.

Probe clamping: Open the slider → Place the measured wire into the transformer core (arrow direction is consistent with current direction, ensure correct waveform direction) → Close and lock the slider.

2. Usage skills

Reduce load effect: Prioritize clamping the probe at the low potential or ground terminal of the component to reduce its impact on the tested circuit.

Improve sensitivity: Increase the number of turns of the wire around the probe (e.g. 2 turns), doubling the sensitivity (e.g. 10 mA/division → 5 mA/division), but note that impedance increases with the square of the turns, which may affect high-frequency signals.

Anti magnetic field interference: In a strong magnetic field environment, use two probes to connect the positive and negative inputs of the oscilloscope, one clip the tested wire and one empty clip, and set the oscilloscope to "subtraction mode" to cancel out interference.

Performance validation and calibration

1. Required equipment

Equipment name, specification requirements, recommended model

Oscilloscope bandwidth ≥ 300 MHz, vertical sensitivity ≥ 1 mV/div, supports average amplitude TDS 303X, TDS 305X

Calibration generator fast edge (≤ 1 ns), sine wave (5 V) p-p@50 Ω, 935 Hz-120 MHz) Wavetek 9100, Tektronix PG 506A

Digital multimeter (DMM) AC voltage range, with an accuracy of 5.5 digits or higher, and an error of ≤ 0.5% at 50 kHz. Keithley 2000, HP 3458A

Auxiliary accessories BNC "T" type adapter, 50 Ω precision coaxial cable (36 inches), BNC to double banana head adapter, calibration fixture Tektronix corresponding models (see Table 6)

2. Core validation projects (including calculation methods)

(1) Mid frequency accuracy test (50 kHz)

Qualification criteria for step calculation method

1. Set the terminal to 1 mA/mV, calibrate the generator output to 50 kHz, 5 V p-p, connect BNC "T" → DMM, record the reading M1 I test=M1/50 Ω (test current). 2. Disconnect the DMM from "T", connect the probe+terminal, calibrate the probe clamp fixture, record the DMM reading M2% Error=[(M2 − I test)/I test] × 100 ± 3%

3. Set the terminal to 10 mA/mV, repeat step 2, and record the DMM reading M3% Error=[(10 × M3 − I test)/I test] × 100 ± 3%

(2) Low frequency bandwidth test

Qualification criteria for sensitivity gear step calculation method

1 mA/mV 1. Measure the output M1 at 50 kHz; 2. Set the generator to 8.5 kHz and measure the output M2 low-frequency ratio=M2/M1 ≥ 0.707

10 mA/mV 1. Measure the output of M3 at 50 kHz; 2. Set the generator to 935 Hz and measure the low frequency ratio of M4 output=M4/M3 ≥ 0.707

(3) High frequency bandwidth testing

Qualification criteria for sensitivity gear step calculation method

1 mA/mV. Set the oscilloscope to 20 mV/div and measure the amplitude M1 at 50 kHz. 2. Set the generator to 100 MHz and measure the amplitude M2. High frequency ratio=M2/M1 ≥ 0.707

10 mA/mV. 1. Set the oscilloscope to 2 mV/div and measure the amplitude M3 at 50 kHz. 2. Set the generator to 120 MHz and measure the amplitude M4. High frequency ratio=M4/M3 ≥ 0.707

3. Calibration adjustment (if verification fails)

Remove terminal cover: Use a small screwdriver to gently pry open the top snap cover of the terminal (keep the bottom cover).

Oscilloscope settings: CH1, DC coupling, 2 mV/div, 4-5 ns/div, average 5-10 times, trigger set AC, positive slope.

Adjust parameters: calibrate the generator to output a 1 V p-p fast edge signal and connect it to the calibration fixture; Adjust the C28 and C29 capacitors of the terminal and the R10 resistance of the probe to minimize waveform distortion and ensure optimal flat top response.

Maintenance and Repair

1. Daily maintenance

Cleaning: Wipe the probe body with a damp cloth; Clean the magnetic core with cotton swabs soaked in isopropanol (solvents such as benzene, toluene, acetone, etc. are prohibited); Do not soak or use abrasives.

Lubrication: The slider component can only be coated with a small amount of silicon-based grease, and petroleum based grease is prohibited; Lubrication is prohibited on the contact surface of the magnetic core.

Inspection: Regularly check the wear of the slider and the cleanliness of the magnetic core contact surface (dirt can reduce low-frequency response).

2. Disassembly and maintenance

(1) Probe disassembly (requires soldering iron)

Pull back the strain relief boot, gently pry on the probe body and remove it forward.

Take out the ball bearing and spring retainer, and remove the upper half of the slider, spring, and transformer.

Remove the grounding terminal of the circuit board and gently remove the circuit board, transformer, and cable components (to avoid damaging the cable solder joints).

(2) Terminal maintenance

Replace connector: remove cover → protect circuit with heat sink → solder off old connector → replace with new connector → solder reset.

Replace the circuit board: Remove the front and rear covers → solder off the connector wires → remove the circuit board screws → assemble in reverse after replacement.

3. List of replaceable parts (core)

Electrical components (excerpt from Table 10)

Component Number Tektronix Part Number Name and Description

A1 670-1112-00 Probe Circuit Board Component

A2 011-0106-00 P6022 Coaxial Terminal

A1T1 120-0603-00 Current Transformer

A2C28/A2C29 281-0123-00 Variable capacitor (5-25 PF, 100 V)

Mechanical components (excerpt from Table 11)

Drawing number/index Tektronix part number name and description quantity

12-1 204-0360-01 Probe Upper Shell 1

12-3 351-0174-00 Probe Slide (Acetal Material) 1

12-9 175-1027-00 RF Cable Assembly (62.5 Ω, 60 inches) 1

12-18 196-3120-01 Probe Grounding Wire (23 AWG, 6 inches) 1