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Electrical Applications | Basic Power Analysis | Accessories | PSU | UPS evaluation | Battery analysis | CCTV camera system troubleshooting > Power Analysis accessories (Test leads, Active & differential probes)
PICO Technology TA189 AC/DC oscilloscope current probe Review 5mA~30A Low Noise
Kiriakos GR:
I wish to thanks PICO Technology UK, for the sponsored sample of TA189 AC/DC oscilloscope current probe !!
https://www.picoauto.com/products//current-clamps/30-a-large-jaw-current-clamp
TA189 probe:
DC to 100kHz
5mA~30A
Typical output noise level ....200uV R.M.S.
Resolution ............................. ±1mA
Response time ............. better than 1uS
Intro:
Since the moment that I did engage with pulsing PSU power consumption measurements, by the use of my Oscilloscope, I came across of a major challenge and this is no other than probe noise VS oscilloscope dynamic range.
My older current probe this is Chauvin Arnoux PAC12, good performance at measuring medium to higher current quantities, first range 200mA ~ 60A & 600A.
Measuring of current this is easy with clamp probes when they are connected over a multimeter.
But the delivery of a clean waveform at the oscilloscope screen, this is a challenge that my PAC12 this failed to succeed at low currents.
I did try to multiply the incoming current by the use of coils, 10X it did help but not much, then I did try 20X and even a 50X and the improvement it was significant, but not good enough.
Phase shift calculation this requiring two clean waveform of voltage and current.
And both probes, voltage differential along AC/DC current probe, they should be as perfect as possible.
Especially if the application this is measurement and calculation of Standby power at the magnitude of 100mA and or lower.
PICO Technology UK,
This is a company working at the production of USB portable oscilloscopes, they have models up to 12bit resolution.
PICO Technology, has it focus at car diagnostic systems.
Therefore they do develop oscilloscopes, but at the same time and relative software for automotive troubleshooting.
Newest developed cars, they include several electronic circuits, at power-off, the car deactivates active circuits in steps, and several seconds later the consumption will fall down to a few mA.
In case of any electronic circuit damage, current consumption stay high, and such current leakage this will eventually discharge the car battery.
TA189 100kHz AC/DC clamp probe, this is distributed by PICO Technology, as the best solution of tool this to measure current leakage, by the use of multimeter along of BNC to banana adapter, and or directly when this is connected at BNC input of one oscilloscope.
Additionally PICO Technology as oscilloscope developer, it is well aware of what is probe noise, and so their offering of model TA189 it includes best worlds of Low Noise and highly sensitive for low current measurements.
December 27 2022, This is arrival date of the probe.
And here are my first pack of demonstration photographs. :)
Testing results and other details will follow soon.
liviu2004:
Great piece of equipment you got there, looking forward for the test results.
Andrew-88:
New weapon !! 8)
Happy New Year ..
Kiriakos GR:
--- Quote from: liviu2004 on January 08, 2023, 05:26:39 AM ---Great piece of equipment you got there, looking forward for the test results.
--- End quote ---
They are three tests to be performed.
a) Two AC test options.
b) One DC test.
At AC tests I am after of a clean waveform, and so while this new probe has lower noise, I will test of how much help this needs from a coil multiplication.
I have several coils now, 10x, 20x and 50x.
At DC tests I will use my portable calibrator, I need to confirm if this probe can be also used at 4~20mA (process control).
And or to discover it lowest limit. :)
The electronics of this probe, they have European origin, Switzerland / Germany / UK.
And this is the second thing that pleases me, other than the lower noise. ;)
To be continued ...
Kiriakos GR:
First official day of testing.
Intro:
First thought of me about TA189 testing, this was of me to verify AC noise specification.
I am now convinced, that such AC/DC probe noise evaluation procedure, this has never be shared over the internet before.
Originally I thought to use my oscilloscope, but by this having 670uV as noise-floor at 1mv per division, along no-way to ZERO out this noise, in order of me to measure the lower value of 200uV, I did select instead my FLUKE 8846A.
Due my FLUKE 8846A I did realize that even the cable of the probe, this is able and collects environmental noise.
Environmental noise
TA189 according to manufacturer specification, this were specifically build so to defeat environmental noise, but the cable alone this has a different pack of specifications.
The long story in short, I did deactivate
a) My mobile phone
b) WiFi router
c) all equipment at my workbench
And so here it is, the probe alone, probe cable much lesser exposed, and the FLUKE 8846A in charge about the measurements.
FLUKE 8846A this were set with Filter setting at 200Hz, this is the faster measuring mode.
The second step, this was ZERO (Math) to be activated.
The third step was of me to observe the measurements for 20 minutes of time.
Test results
Indeed TA189 this succeed to deliver the low-noise output of 200uV
Average = 216 uv
Max = 240 uV
I am tremendously satisfied with my first test results.
Because I have now first pack of proofs, this probe has even lower noise floor than my 8 Bit oscilloscope GDS2102A.
Therefore in a feature upgrade to a 12bit oscilloscope, this probe will also shine regarding performance with it. :)
Bellow there is a pack of photographs, test environment, 8846A set to ZERO, and then the probe output (noise) measurement.
Next to come this is DC test and measuring precision.
Photographs:
4) probe powered off (environment pickup noise)
5) DMM 8846A ZERO function
6) TA 189 powered on (100mv/1A)
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