Description
Between the milliamp world and the high-current world sits a lot of everyday design work. The Tektronix TICS0500 current shunt covers that ground with a 500 mΩ resistance. It is a wideband shunt for Tektronix TICP IsoVu isolated current probes, and the probe reads the voltage it develops. Its stated dynamic range is ±1 A, so it fits currents that hover around one amp. You receive one shunt per order.
Built around the one-amp range
At 500 mΩ, one amp produces half a volt across the shunt. That gives the probe a clear signal while the series loss stays modest. Therefore, this value is a sensible first pick when you expect hundreds of milliamps up to about an amp. If you expect more, the 50 mΩ TICS0050 offers a ±10 A range instead.
Key data for the Tektronix TICS0500 current shunt
- Resistance: 500 mΩ
- Typical bandwidth and rise time: 250 MHz and 1.6 ns
- Maximum DC current: 1.4 A
- Maximum pulse current: 2 A, with derating for duration and waveform
- Dynamic range: ±1 A
- DC gain accuracy: under 2%
- Operating range: -40 °C to +85 °C
- Fuse: built in, with a 400 V interruptible voltage limit under the maker’s conditions
Where a 500 mΩ shunt fits
Typical candidates include point-of-load converters, LED drivers and small fan or pump drivers. For example, an engineer may want to see inrush on a board rail during power-up. Similarly, a validation team may check ripple current in a small switching stage. In both jobs, the fast response of a wideband shunt helps show the real edge shape. Still, remember that the probe, shunt and interconnect set the final bandwidth together.
DC limit versus pulse limit
The 2 A pulse figure does not raise the 1.4 A continuous rating. Instead, check the manufacturer’s pulse-current curve for your actual pulse width. Also verify shunt power dissipation, and follow the manufacturer’s manual and ratings.
Purchase or project rental
Through Lost in HCM, you can buy the Tektronix TICS0500 current shunt, rent it for a short project, or ask for service. Please send a TICS0500 quote request to Lost in HCM and describe the probe, current and waveform. Besides that, the SMK Vietnam oscilloscope probe range lists related parts, and you can write to SMK Vietnam. For background reading, visit Tektronix.
TICS0500 FAQ
Can I run 2 A through it continuously?
No. Continuous DC current tops out at 1.4 A. The 2 A value applies to pulses, with derating for duration and waveform.
How does it compare with the TICS0050?
The TICS0050 has a tenth of the resistance and a ±10 A range. So it trades signal size for current headroom.
What else completes the setup?
You need a compatible TICP probe, a suitable shunt cable or tip, and an oscilloscope. None of them ship with this shunt.
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