Pico AD2801 800 MHz ±15 V Active Differential Probe User Guide

AD2801 800 MHz ±15 V Active Differential Probe
**User Guide

AD2801
800 MHz ±15 V active differential probe
Complies with EN 61010-031, pollution degree 2
www.picotech.com
**

Description

This high-bandwidth, low-voltage differential probe is designed for low-noise, high-speed applications such as wireless and data communications, digital circuits, timing analysis, disk drive design, power measurement, differential transmitter and receiver design, and troubleshooting ground bounce problems.

Safety

To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, personal injury, or damage to the product, carefully read this safety information before attempting to install or use the product. In addition, follow all generally accepted safety practices and procedures for working with and around electricity. The product has been designed and tested in accordance with the European standard publication EN 61010-031: 2015 (Safety requirements for hand-held probe assemblies for electrical measurement and test) and left the factory in a safe condition.
The following safety descriptions are found throughout this guide:
WARNING identifies conditions or practices that could result in injury or death.
CAUTION identifies conditions or practices that could result in damage to the product or equipment to which it is connected.

Symbols
These safety and electrical symbols may appear on the product or in this guide.

WARNING
To prevent injury or death use the product only as instructed and use only accessories that have been supplied or recommended. Protection provided by the product may be
impaired if used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer.
Maximum input/output ranges
Observe all terminal ratings and warnings marked on the product.
The table below and/or markings on the product indicate the full-scale measurement range, common mode range and overvoltage protection range. The full-scale measurement ranges are the maximum voltages that can be accurately measured by the instrument. The common-mode voltage is the maximum that can be applied to both differential inputs with respect to the power connector ground to achieve a valid measurement and the overvoltage protection ranges are the maximum voltages that will not damage the instrument.
WARNING
To prevent electric shock, do not attempt to measure voltages outside of the specified full-scale measurement range or with an applied common-mode voltage that is outside
specification and do not attempt to connect voltages outside the overvoltage protection range.

Full-scale measurement range| Common-mode voltage range| Overvoltage protection
(DC + AC peak)
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±15 V (DC + AC peak)| ±30 V (DC + AC peak)| ±40 V (DC + AC peak)

WARNING
Signals exceeding the voltage limits in the table below are defined as “hazardous live” by EN 61010. To prevent electric shock, take all necessary precautions when working on
equipment where hazardous live voltages may be present.

Signal voltage limits of EN 61010-031

±60 V DC| 30 V AC RMS| ±42.4 V pk max.

To prevent electric shock, take all necessary safety precautions when working on equipment where hazardous live voltages may be present.
WARNING
To prevent injury or death, do not connect the probe directly to the mains (line power).
WARNING
To prevent injury or death, do not use the product or an accessory if it appears to be damaged in any way, and stop use immediately if you are concerned by any abnormal operations.
CAUTION
Exceeding the overvoltage protection range on any cable, connector or accessory can cause permanent damage to the probe and other connected equipment.
Grounding
WARNING
The probe’s ground connection through the BNC cable is for measurement purposes only. The probe does not have a protective safety ground.
WARNING
To prevent electric shock, do not connect the probe’s ground to a voltage source. Connect only to a known ground. If you are unsure about the safety of a ground point, check it with a multimeter before connecting the AD2801 probe’s ground to it.
External connections
WARNING
To prevent injury or death, only use the power cord and adaptor supplied with the product.
These are approved for the voltage and plug configuration in your country.

External DC power supply

| Voltage (V)| Current (A pk)| Power (W)
5 V nominal| 5| 0.3| 1.5
9 V nominal| 9| 0.2| 1.8

WARNING
To prevent electric shock, do not touch exposed connections and components when power is present.
CAUTION
Take care to avoid mechanical stress or tight bend radii for all connected leads.
Mishandling will cause deformation of sidewalls, and will degrade performance and measurement accuracy.
Environment
WARNING
To prevent injury or death, do not use in wet or damp conditions, or near explosive gas or vapor.
CAUTION
To prevent damage, always use and store your probe in appropriate environments as shown below.

| Storage| Operating
---|---|---
Temperature| −30 °C to +70 °C| −10 °C to +40 °C
Humidity| Up to to 85% RH
Altitude| 2000 m
Pollution| Degree 2

Care of the product
The product contains no user-serviceable parts. Repair, servicing and calibration require specialized test equipment and must only be performed by Pico Technology or an approved service provider.
There may be a charge for these services unless covered by the Pico warranty.
Inspect the probe and all connectors, cables and accessories before use for signs of damage.
WARNING
To prevent electric shock, do not tamper with or disassemble the probe, case parts, connectors or accessories.
WARNING
When cleaning the product, use a soft cloth and a solution of mild soap or detergent in water. To prevent electric shock, do not allow liquids to enter the casing, as this will
compromise the electronics or insulation inside. Ensure that the probe is thoroughly dry after cleaning.
WARNING
To prevent injury or death, do not operate this probe with the covers removed.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the probe and other connected equipment, do not immerse the probe in any liquid.

Pack contents

Description|

Quantity

---|---
AD2801 probe body, power unit and BNC assembly| 1
Test wires, red and black, 0.8 mm x 70 mm| 1 pair
Test wires, red and black, 0.8 mm x 130 mm| 1 pair
Large grabbers, 5 mm wide, red and black| 1 pair
Small grabbers, 2.5 mm wide, red and black| 1 pair
Test tip, 0.8 mm| 6
2-pin prods, assorted lengths| 3
9 V battery| 1
USB power cable| 1

Appearance

a. Output cable. The BNC output connector is for connection to the oscilloscope.
b. Power unit. This can be connected to the following sources:
• PS008 mains adaptor (not included)
• Internal 9 V battery
• USB power lead
c. Probe body
d. Test leads and grabbers (example shown). For convenient connection to the circuit under test.

Installation

Follow these instructions to install and start using your differential probe.

1. Plug the BNC output connector into the vertical input of a general-purpose oscilloscope or other measurement instrument. The measurement instrument must have 50 Ω input impedance or be fitted with an external 50 Ω feedthrough terminator.

2. Connect the probe to an appropriate power source:
   • Internal 9 V battery
   • Mains adaptor
   • Power leads

3. Turn the probe on.

4. Using the appropriate probe accessories, connect the input to the circuit under test.

WARNING
To protect against electric shock, use only the accessories designed for use with this differential probe.
WARNING
To avoid injury or death, observe all safety precautions appropriate to the circuit under test.

Power unit

a. LED indicator (green for normal operation; turns red when the voltage is too low)
b. On/off switch
c. Power jack

Overrange indicator

The overrange indicator lights up red if the voltage of the input signal exceeds the linear operating range of the probe. When this happens, the signal on the probe output may not accurately represent the signal on the probe input.

Specifications

15 dB at 500 MHz
Temperature| −10 °C to +40 °C (operating)
−30 °C to +70 °C (storage)
Humidity| Up to 85% RH (operating and storage)
Power requirements|
Battery | 9 V (PP3, 6LR61)
Mains adaptor(s) | 6 V DC 500 mA or 9 V DC 300 mA
USB power lead *| 5 V DC
Overall length| 1300 mm
Weight| 150 g
Dimensions| Probe body:   112 x 22 x 15 mm
Power unit:  111 x 32 x 32 mm

a. The supplied voltage must be between 3.3 V and 16 V. Voltages outside of this range may damage the probe or affect performance.
b. Polarity is “+” inside and “−” outside. The device is reverse-polarity protected.
c. When the voltage of the cells becomes too low, the power indicator on the panel will change color and switch off.

Derating curve

The derating curve for absolute maximum input voltage is shown below.

Test procedure

1. Connect the BNC output connector to the vertical input of a general-purpose oscilloscope. The oscilloscope input must have 50 Ω impedance or be fitted with an external 50 Ω feedthrough terminator.
2. Connect the probe to an appropriate power source.
3. Turn on the probe using the power switch.
4. Set the oscilloscope input to DC coupling and 0.5 V/div. Center the trace on the display.
5. Connect the inputs of the probe to a sine-wave signal source of 100 kHz and 10 V p-p.
6. A 100 kHz sine wave with 1 V amplitude will be displayed on the screen of the oscilloscope. This demonstrates that the probe is working properly.

UK headquarters:
Pico Technology
James House
Colmworth Business Park
St. Neots
Cambridgeshire
PE19 8YP
United Kingdom
+44 (0) 1480 396 395
[email protected]
[email protected]| North America office:
Pico Technology
320 N Glenwood Blvd
Tyler
TX 75702
United States
+1 800 591 2796
[email protected]
[email protected]| Asia-Pacific office:
Pico Technology
Room 2252, 22/F, Centro
568 Hengfeng Road
Zhabei District
Shanghai 200070
PR China
****+86 (0) 21 2226-5152
[email protected]
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Pico Technology is an internationally registered trade mark of Pico Technology Ltd.
www.picotech.com
Copyright © 2020 Pico Technology Ltd.
DO142-3

References

• pico.asia
• PC Oscilloscope, Data Logger & RF Products | Pico Technology

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