Rohde & Schwarz RT-ZC30 probe, 120 MHz Current Probe, 5 A RMS, 1 V/A

Description

Low currents hide in the noise when the probe output is too small. The Rohde & Schwarz RT-ZC30 probe tackles that with 1 V/A, the highest output of a single-range clamp in this group. It is a clamp-on current probe for oscilloscopes, rated up to 5 A RMS with a 120 MHz bandwidth. Because it clamps around the wire, you do not need to cut a trace or add a shunt. You can rent or buy it through Lost in HCM in Vietnam.

Small currents, big signal

At 1 V/A, every amp becomes a full volt at the scope input. For example, 100 mA gives 100 mV, which a normal vertical scale shows clearly. By contrast, a 0.1 V/A probe would show only 10 mV for the same current.

Bench jobs that suit the Rohde & Schwarz RT-ZC30 probe

• Gate-drive current in MOSFET and IGBT stages.
• LED driver and backlight current.
• Sensor and MCU supply rails on compact boards.
• Small DC-DC converters and their ripple.

All of these stay under 5 A RMS yet switch fast. So the 120 MHz bandwidth matters here, while the low range keeps the trace tall. That mix makes the Rohde & Schwarz RT-ZC30 probe a natural pick for driver and control boards.

A four-step setup

First, check that the expected current stays within 5 A RMS. Next, connect the probe to a BNC scope input and to the R&S RT-ZA13 external supply, as the listing requires. Then degauss and zero the probe the way the Rohde & Schwarz manual describes. Finally, set 1 V/A in the channel menu so the screen reads in amps.

How to get one

Short design checks and failure analysis jobs suit a rental. In contrast, a lab that tests drivers every week might buy. Either way, ask Lost in HCM for a quote with your scope model, current range and dates. You can also browse more oscilloscope probes or open the Rohde & Schwarz probe page. Questions about this listing? Contact SMK Vietnam.

RT-ZC30 FAQ

What if my current goes past 5 A RMS?

Choose a probe with a larger range, such as the RT-ZC20 at 30 A RMS or the multi-range RT-ZC31.

Does it need its own power?

Yes. Its listing calls for the separate R&S RT-ZA13 probe supply.

Is the RT-ZC30 faster than the RT-ZC20?

Rohde & Schwarz lists 120 MHz for the RT-ZC30 and 100 MHz for the RT-ZC20.