Description
What does your power supply draw in the first few milliseconds after switch-on? The Tektronix TCP305A current probe answers that kind of question. Technically, it is a split-core AC/DC probe: a clamp that opens around a wire and senses both DC and changing current without breaking the circuit. In Vietnam, Lost in HCM offers it for rental or sale.
Middle ground between speed and amps
Tektronix rates the TCP305A from DC to 50 MHz, with 50 A DC continuous. That mix suits work where edges are fast but currents stay moderate. For example, a 12 V or 48 V converter can show sharp switching steps as well as a sizable steady load. Accuracy on DC is ±3% of reading for the full system. However, these figures apply only when the probe runs through its TCPA300 amplifier.
Tasks that fit this clamp
- Inrush and start-up current on power supplies and drives.
- Load-step tests on DC-DC converters and LED drivers.
- Current draw of loads such as fans, pumps and small motors.
- Fault hunting on test stations, because a quick clamp saves rewiring.
How the signal reaches your scope
In practice, the chain has three links. The clamp goes around one insulated conductor. Next, its cable plugs into the TCPA300, which drives the sensor and shapes the output. Last, the amplifier output feeds an oscilloscope input with the correct termination. Lost in HCM treats the TCPA300 as a separate item, so say whether you need one.
Before you clamp on
Check the wire insulation and the voltage category of the circuit first. Where the manual calls for it, switch off power before you fit or remove the jaw. Then degauss and zero the system, because leftover magnetism shifts the DC reading. Also remember that limits drop at high frequency and with long pulses, so look up the derating data for your waveform.
Getting a quote for the Tektronix TCP305A current probe
Rental fits a short design check or a factory audit. Purchase, however, fits a lab that tests supplies every week. To start, request a quote from Lost in HCM. Send the scope model, the current you expect, the switching frequency and the conductor size. Other clamps sit in the oscilloscope probes range on SMK Vietnam, and Tektronix hosts the full manual. For help with your shortlist, contact SMK Vietnam.
Common questions on the TCP305A
Which amplifier does the TCP305A need?
It needs the TCPA300. Lost in HCM quotes the amplifier on its own line, so ask for it if your lab does not have one.
Is the Tektronix TCP305A current probe good for inrush tests?
It suits them well, since it reads DC and fast changes up to 50 MHz. Still, check the pulse limits in the manual for very large surges.
Can I clamp it over a whole power cable?
No. Put the jaw around a single wire. A cable holds the outgoing and return paths together, and their opposite fields wipe out most of the signal.
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