What are the chances of overloading the scope with 10x probes and less than 200v? (110 rectified, about 170v)?
Ok so for starters say I use both channels as Mr Babin suggested on my 120mains, without the probe ground just positive conduction points, the wave form would be comprised of both channels half wave each? (Ch2 setting inverted).
If that is safe, would there be any issues if I try to inspect that waveform and doing so I would have to shift V/D and be on same for both channels accordingly?
(Correct me where I’m wrong).
If that is safe, would there be any issues if I try to inspect that waveform and doing so I would have to shift V/D and be on same for both channels accordingly?
(Correct me where I’m wrong).
The displayed waveform would be a mix of what's present on the two points that the probes are on.
Pull out a car amp and try several measurements on the various points of the power supply and even on the output (better if you use a bridgeable full range amp so you can test on both channels with a sine wave driven into it) with every imaginable probe combination. It will take all of 10 minutes.
Get comfortable with it before jumping into a mains device blind.
Pull out a car amp and try several measurements on the various points of the power supply and even on the output (better if you use a bridgeable full range amp so you can test on both channels with a sine wave driven into it) with every imaginable probe combination. It will take all of 10 minutes.
Get comfortable with it before jumping into a mains device blind.
What make and model sir? Could you forward the link or just tell me the model number regardless. thanks.
That’s the reason I asked if I could just use my mains plug to get my scenario, I’m not probing my device blind, in fact I’m not working on it now.
'Blind' as in not knowing what the scope is telling you. You would know what's on the car amp and could know if you were seeing what you think you're seeing.
I've had these issues for years and solved them by getting a USB scope and a USB isolator. The isolator has a 2.5kV limit, and allows me to float the little USB scope box anywhere I want (as long as it is lower than 2.5kV).
The USB scope has a plastic isolator 'body' so you can just put it somewhere at your bench.
Still, you must be aware that in this case, the ground strap of your probe is NOT at ground and may be lethal to the touch!
Just a few weeks ago I got the ultimate: a WiFi scope, similar to a USB scope but with a build-in battery, connected to the PC over WiFi.
But the same caveat of course that the metal parts of the probe ground strap can be at dangerous levels!
Jan
BTW The previous system is for sale ;-)
Its a Handyscope HS3-25MHz and an Intona USB isolator.
The USB scope has a plastic isolator 'body' so you can just put it somewhere at your bench.
Still, you must be aware that in this case, the ground strap of your probe is NOT at ground and may be lethal to the touch!
Just a few weeks ago I got the ultimate: a WiFi scope, similar to a USB scope but with a build-in battery, connected to the PC over WiFi.
But the same caveat of course that the metal parts of the probe ground strap can be at dangerous levels!
Jan
BTW The previous system is for sale ;-)
Its a Handyscope HS3-25MHz and an Intona USB isolator.
If you plan on measuring higher voltages than is safe for a 10x probe, get a used Tek P6008/6009 100x probe. They are very durable to overload.
For those against using an isolation transformer you wouldn't want to see how high power microwave tube transmitters are tested.
For those against using an isolation transformer you wouldn't want to see how high power microwave tube transmitters are tested.
A used Fluke 97 similar to this current listing
Fluke 97 50MHz Scopemeter 2 Channel Handheld Digital Oscilloscope & Multimeter | eBay
One of the best battery operated scopes is the old Tektronix THS series. Way ahead of an old Fluke. I have a THS-730A and it is very handy. You can get THS710 pretty cheap. Only issue is the batteries are usually dead but replacements are $60.
Hi busaboy,
Nice setup. You are testing things exactly righ, so you will live to use your gear for a long time to come.
What scope it that on top of the HP power supply? WHat power supply is that?
-Chris
Nice setup. You are testing things exactly righ, so you will live to use your gear for a long time to come.
What scope it that on top of the HP power supply? WHat power supply is that?
-Chris
Tektronix DSA-602A Signal Analyzer. It's an ancient beast that offers a bunch of nice plugins and has 2 GS/s rate. Old style optical X-Y touch screen. I used to use a Tektronix 11801C at work and got used to the arcane interface.
PS is an old Lambda. I have a bunch of them. Easy to fix.
Micsig Oscilloscope 1300V 100MHz High Voltage Differential Probe DP10013 JJ | eBay
I’m looking on that on ebay but it says USB powered (even from the scope’s USB port) is it safe to use the usb powered port on the scope to power it for testing mains primary circuits?
I’m looking on that on ebay but it says USB powered (even from the scope’s USB port) is it safe to use the usb powered port on the scope to power it for testing mains primary circuits?