RIGOL PVA7250 PVA7000 Series Active Probe User Guide

RIGOL PVA7250 PVA7000 Series Active Probe

Safety Notices and Symbols

Safety Notices in this Manual:

WARNING
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation or practice which, if not avoided, will result in serious injury or death.

CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation or practice which, if not avoided, could result in damage to the product or loss of important data.

Safety Terms on the Product:

• DANGER It calls attention to an operation, if not correctly performed, could result in injury or hazard immediately.
• WARNING It calls attention to an operation, if not correctly performed, could result in potential injury or hazard.
• CAUTION It calls attention to an operation, if not correctly performed, could result in damage to the product or other devices connected to the product.

Safety Symbols on the Product:

• Hazardous Voltage
• Safety Warning
• Protective Earth Terminal
• Chassis Ground
• Test Ground

Document Overview

This document is used to guide users to get a quick understanding of the PVA7000 series active probe as well as its using method. Besides, this document gives service information relating to general care and cleaning.
PVA7000 series active probe includes the following model.

Main topics:

• PVA7000 Series Overview
  This chapter gives a brief introduction of the probe, including general inspection, probe dimensions, standard accessories, and etc.

• To Use PVA7000 Series Active Probe
  This chapter introduces how to use the probe, including how to connect to the oscilloscope, how to use the probe head, how to replace probe accessories, how to adjust the offset voltage, how to calibrate the probe, and etc.

• Care and Cleaning

•  Warranty

• Specifications

PVA7000 Series Overview

This chapter guides users to quickly get familiar with the PVA7000 series active probe.

Main topics:

• Probe Introduction
• General Inspection
• Probe Dimensions
• Accessories and Options
• Active Probe Amplifier
• Probe Head

Probe Introduction

PVA7000, with more than 2.5GHz bandwidth, is an active probe for high- frequency applications. It can be used to measure differential and single- ended signals with better common mode rejection. PVA7000 uses plug-on socket probe head and supports 3 types of interchangeable probe heads to optimize performance and usability. Besides, its replaceable probe tip prolongs the service life of the probe and the probe tip spacing can be precisely adjusted to fit different test point spacings.

PVA7000 is compatible with the auto-identification port of RIGOL
MSO/DS7000/MSO8000 series oscilloscope and can be recognized and configured automatically by this port. Its snap-in BNC connector enables easier connection with the oscilloscope.
PVA7000 provides various accessories and options, as well as multiple replaceable components which make it applicable to be used in different tests and measurements.

General Inspection

1. Inspect the packaging
   If the packaging has been damaged, do not dispose the damaged packaging or cushioning materials until the shipment has been checked for completeness and has passed both electrical and mechanical tests. The consigner or carrier shall be liable for the damage to the instrument resulting from shipment. RIGOL would not be responsible for free maintenance/rework or replacement of the instrument.

2. Inspect the instrument
   In case of any mechanical damage, missing parts, or failure in passing the electrical and mechanical tests, contact your RIGOL sales representative.

3. Check the accessories
   Please check the accessories according to the packing lists. If the accessories are damaged or incomplete, please contact your RIGOL sales representative.

Probe Dimensions

Figure 1 shows the dimensions of the main parts of PVA7000 series active probe.

Accessories and Options

This section lists the probe kits, standard accessories of the PVA7000 series active probe respectively. All the components listed below can be ordered from RIGOL. PVA7250 Active Probe Kit contains all the accessories listed in Table

1. If any accessory or option needs to be ordered separately, please refer to Table 1.

ble 1 PVA7250 Active Probe Kit Standard Accessories

Note: The accessories listed in this section are only for reference, the actual product is the standard.

Active Probe Amplifier
The active probe amplifier (Figure 2), with more than 2.5GHz bandwidth, is a main component of the active probe. One end of the active probe amplifier can be connected to the MSO8000 series oscilloscope and the other end can be connected to the desired probe head.

When connecting a probe head to an active probe amplifier, push it straight in. For single-ended probe, when connecting them, pay attention to their polarities. If the polarity is reversed, the performance of the active probe would be undermined and the active probe might even be damaged.

CAUTION
There is a black mark sleeve on the negative pole of the solder-in single- ended probe head.

Probe Head

PVA7000 supports hand-held probe head and solder-in probe head.

1. Hand-held Probe Head
   The type of Hand-held probe head is: the hand-held differential probe head.
   Like using common passive probes, you can use this kind of probe head to easily measure signals. Besides, the spacing between the probe tips can be easily adjusted to fulfill your various measurement requirements.
   For the hand-held differential probe head, the spacing between the probe tips is controlled by the roller on the probe head. As shown in Figure 3, turning the roller forwards or backwards can precisely adjust the spacing between the two probe tips.
   As shown in Figure 4, the probe tip is a standard accessory and replaceable. If it is damaged during use, you can easily replace it with a new one (refer to To Replace Probe Accessories).

2. Solder-in Probe Head
   The solder-in probe head includes two types: solder-in differential probe head and solder-in single-ended probe head, as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6. Wherein, solder-in differential probe head is suitable for measurement of high-density IC pin signals.
   When using the solder-in probe head for measurement, please use an auxiliary device to fix the probe head. Do not use your hand to fix the probe head, or else, the lead resistor soldered onto the probe head might break or fall off. What’s more, the hand-held position might also affect the probe performance.
   The nickel wire of the solder-in probe head is a standard accessory. If the nickel wire under use is damaged or broken, please replace it with an appropriate lead resistor (refer to To Replace Probe Accessories).

To Use PVA7000 Series Active Probe

During the use of PVA7000 series active probe, correct operations can ensure the probe performance, prolong the service life of the probe and ensure the effectiveness of the signal measurement result. This chapter introduces in detail the using method of the PVA7000 series active probe.

Main Topics:

• To Connect to the Oscilloscope
• To Use the Probe Head
• To Replace Probe Accessories
• To Adjust Offset Voltage
•  To Calibrate the Probe

To Connect to the Oscilloscope
After PVA7000 is connected correctly to a RIGOL MSO8000 series oscilloscope, the oscilloscope recognizes the probe automatically and provides both power and offset voltage to the probe. You can adjust the offset voltage (refer to To Adjust Offset Voltage) and calibrate the probe (refer to To Calibrate the Probe) by the front panel menu of the oscilloscope.
Please connect the probe to the oscilloscope following the steps below:

1. Connect the probe head (in the figure, taking a hand-held differential probe head for example) with the active probe amplifier. If a single-ended probe head is used, during the connection, pay attention to their polarities.
2. Connect the other end of the active probe amplifier to the channel input connector of the oscilloscope and make sure the connection is tight.
3. Use any probe auxiliary device to connect the probe to the circuit to be tested.
4. To disconnect the probe from the oscilloscope, press the button on the probe (as shown in the left figure below), pull the connector straight out of the oscilloscope (as shown in the right figure below) and then release the button. CAUTION
   Do not twist the probe on the BNC connector of the oscilloscope. Otherwise, the probe might be damaged.

To Use the Probe Head

In the Probe Head section, PVA7000 can be connected to 3 kinds of probe heads. You can easily change the probe head by using the method introduced in To Replace Probe Accessories. This chapter introduces how to use these three kinds of probe heads respectively.

1. Hand-held Differential Probe Head
   The hand-held differential probe head provides an effective bandwidth of more than 2.5 GHz. The spacing between the two probe tips can be precisely adjusted by turning the roller. The probe tips are replaceable, which can prolong the service life of the probe.
   The hand-held differential probe head can be used to measure differential and single-ended signals. During the measurement, you can turn the roller on the probe head to adjust the spacing between the probe tips to fit measurements with different spacing requirements.
   The structure of the hand-held differential probe head is shown in Figure 7.

2.  Turning the roller to adjust the spacing (2mm to 6.5mm) between the two probe tips.

3. Hand-held differential probe head.

4.  50Ω probe tip.

5. Solder-in Differential Probe Head
   The solder-in differential probe head provides an effective bandwidth of more than 2.5 GHz. The replacement of the nickel wire enhances the usability of the probe and prolongs its service life.
   The structure of the solder-in differential probe head is shown in Figure 8.

6. Solder-in differential probe head.

7. 0.2mm Nickel Wire.
   When the points to be tested are widely spaced, the length of the nickel wire will be increased.
   At this point, overshoot and ringing will occur and the high-frequency response will change.

8. Solder-in Single-ended Probe Head
   The solder-in single-ended probe head provides an effective bandwidth of more than 2.5 GHz. The replacement of the nickel wire enhances the usability of the probe and prolongs its service life.
   The structure of the solder-in single-ended probe head is shown in Figure 9.
   The pin at the same side with the negative pole mark sleeve (refer to Figure

6. is negative.

   1. Solder-in single-ended probe head.
   2. 0.2mm Nickel Wire.
      When the points to be tested are widely spaced, the length of the nickel wire will be increased. At this point, overshoot and ringing will occur and the high-frequency response will change.

To Replace Probe Accessories

1. To replace the probe head
   Take care not to damage the connecting part to avoid affecting the probe performance when replacing the probe head.
   Replacing Method:

2. Disconnect the current probe head from the active probe amplifier.

3. Push the new probe head into the active probe amplifier straightly. When single-ended probe head is used, pay attention to their polarities.

4. To replace the probe tip
   The probe tip and probe head are connected to the screw thread, so please note the screw rotation and strength when removing and installing the probe tip.

5. To replace the nickel wire
   If the nickel wire of the solder-in probe head under use becomes damaged or breaks off, you can replace a new one. The probe head nickel wire should satisfy the following size requirement, that is, the length must be shorter than 5 mm. Note: If the length of the nickel wire is longer than 5 mm, the bandwidth specification of the probe will be affected. You can use the trim gauge to measure and cut the nickel wire.

To Adjust Offset Voltage

RIGOL MSO/DS7000/MSO8000 series oscilloscope can provide offset voltage to the PVA7000 series active probe. The offset voltage adjusts the measured signal which exceeds the input dynamic range of the probe to within an appropriate range to ensure the measured signal’s integrity.
You can adjust the offset voltage by operating the front panel menu of the oscilloscope. The operation method is as shown below.

1.  Follow the instructions in To Connect to the Oscilloscope to connect the PVA7000 series active probe to the channel input terminal (e.g. CH1) of the MSO/DS7000/MSO8000 oscilloscope.
2. Open the probe offset voltage control menu of the
   MSO/DS7000/MSO8000 oscilloscope (front panel operation: Probe Bias Voltage) and rotate the knob to adjust the value.

To Calibrate the Probe

Before using, you should calibrate the PVA7000 series active probe. Follow the procedures below to calibrate the PVA7000 active probe:

1. Connect the PVA7000 active probe to the analog channel (CH1 to CH4 of the oscilloscope, illustrations here are based on CH1).
2. Open the probe calibration control menu (front panel operation: 1Probe Probe-Cal), and the oscilloscope starts to calibrate the probe. The calibration will last for about 40 to 50 seconds. When the probe calibration is finished, a prompt message “Probe calibration finished!” or “Probe calibration failure!” is displayed in the user interface of the oscilloscope.

Note: Technical specifications of the PVA7000 series active probe depend on the calibration operation. After the calibration is finished, the DC gain, offset voltage zero and offset gain will be calibrated. Users can query the information about the manufacturer, model, serial number, and the last calibration time of the probe through the menu operation: 1  Probe Probe Info.

Care and Cleaning

Care
Do not place the probe and its accessories in places where they will be exposed to sun light for long periods of time.

CAUTION
Keep the probe and its accessories away from any corrosive liquid.

Cleaning
Clean the probe and its accessories regularly according to their operation conditions using the method below.

1. Disconnect the probe from the oscilloscope or power source.
2. Clean the external surfaces of the probe and its accessories with a soft cloth dampened with mild detergent or water.

WARNING
To avoid short-circuit resulting from moisture or even personal injuries, ensure that the probe is completely dry before use.

Warranty

RIGOL TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. (hereinafter referred to as RIGOL) warrants that the product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship within the warranty period. If a product proves defective within the warranty period, RIGOL guarantees free replacement or repair for the defective product.
To get repair service, please contact with your nearest RIGOL sales or service office.
There is no other warranty, expressed or implied, except such as is expressly set forth herein or another applicable warranty card. There is no implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Under no circumstances shall RIGOL be liable for any consequential, indirect, ensuing, or special damages for any breach of warranty in any case.

Specifications

25kΩ±4% Single-ended

Input Dynamic Range| ±2V
Input Common mode

Range

| ±6.25V  DC to 100Hz

±1.25V  >100Hz

Common Mode

Rejection Ratio

| ****

45dB@1MHz

DC Attenuation| 10:1 ±2%
Zero Offset Error [1]| <30mV     before calibration

<5mV       after calibration

Offset Voltage Range| ±2V

Offset Accuracy [1]

| <3% of current range before calibration

<1% of current range

after calibration

Input Noise| 3.8mVpp
Propagation Delay| 7ns
Max Input Voltage| 30V Peak CAT I [2]
Electrostatic Protection

(HBM)

| ****

8kV

General Characteristics

Environmental

Conditions

| Operating| Non-operating
---|---|---
Temperature| +5°C to +40°C| -40°C to +60°C
Humidity| 0 RH to 80% RH| 0 RH to 90% RH
Altitude| 4600m| 15300m
Power Consumption| 1.2W| N/A
Weights| 147g±10g [3]   530g±50g [4]
Wire Length| 1.4m

1. Typical value. The specifications would change when different scales are selected.

2. CAT I and CAT II Definitions
   Installation Category (Overvoltage Category) I: signal level, special equipment or parts of equipment, telecommunication, electronic, etc., with smaller transient voltages than installation category (Overvoltage Category) II.
   Installation Category (Overvoltage Category) II: local level, appliance, portable equipment etc., with smaller transient voltages than installation category (Overvoltage Category) III.

3. The weight of the PVA7000 probe with the hand-held differential probe head.

4. The weight of the PVA7000 series active probe kit with the probe bag.

References

• 示波器-数字示波器-信号发生器-频谱分析仪-直流电源-普源精电科技-RIGOL TECHNOLOGIES, Co. LTD

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