Cal Test CT3688A Differential Probe Kit User Manual

: June 14, 2024
: Cal Test

Table of Contents

SYMBOLS AND TERMS
DEFINITIONS
GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
SPECIFICATIONS
VOLTAGE DERATING CURVE
USING THE PROBE
INSPECTION PROCEDURE
MAKING MEASUREMENTS
CLEANING
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

Cal Test CT3688A Differential Probe Kit User Manual

CT3688A Active Differential Probe Kit, User Guide
© Cal Test Electronics. All rights reserved.
Cal Test Electronics products are covered by US and foreign patents, issued and pending. Information on this publication supersedes all earlier versions.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Made in Taiwan

SYMBOLS AND TERMS

The following symbols may appear on the product or in the documentation.

DEFINITIONS

POLLUTION (P) – addition of foreign matter solid, liquid or gaseous (ionized gases), that may product a reduction of dielectric strength or surface resistivity.

Degree 2 (P2) – only non-conductive pollution occurs except that occasionally a temporary conductivity caused by condensation is expected.
MEASUREMENT CATEGORY (CAT) – classification of testing and measuring circuit according to the type of mains circuits to which they are intended to be connected.
MEASUREMENT CATEGORY other than II, Ill, or IV: – measuring circuits that are not directly connected to the mains supplies.

GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION

Safety is compromised if instructions are not read, understood, and followed.

Disconnect from all devices and sources before attaching test leads or adapters.
Check for damage before usage – Do not use if any part is damaged.
Do not use in wet or explosive atmospheres.

If the probe is used in a manner not specified by this user guide, the protections provided may be impaired.

DESCRIPTION

Differential probes allow safe, accurate measurement between two voltage points where neither point is referenced to ground. The CT3688A offers a 200 MHz bandwidth and can test up to ±60 V (DC + AC peak). Compatible with oscilloscopes from all major manufacturers, the probe can be battery operated or powered directly from an oscilloscope using the included USB cable.

Features:

Meets /EC 61010-031 safety standard
Small compact size
Up to ±20 V differential
High accuracy ± 1 %
200 MHz bandwidth (-3 dB)
Excellent CMRR
Kit comes in foam-lined plastic case and contains:
- Differential probe
- (2) Sprung hook probes, 1000 V, CAT Ill, 20 A (black & red)
- (2) Alligator clips, 300 V, CAT II (black & red)
- 9 V Battery
- USB Power Cable

This probe is tested prior to shipment. It is therefore ready for immediate use upon receipt. An initial physical inspection should be made to ensure that no damage has been sustained during shipment.

A – Active Differential Probe, 200 MHz, 1 Ox Small Signal ± 20 V
B – CT 4441, Insulated Medium Alligator Clips, 300 \I, CAT II Pair (Black & Red)
C- CT4122, USB Power Cable
D – CT 4386, Insulated Sprung Hook Probes, 1000 V CAT Ill, 20 A, Pair (Black & Red)

SPECIFICATIONS

All specifications apply to the unit after a temperature stabilization time of about 20 minutes over an ambient temperature range of 25 °c ± 5 °c.

Specifications are subject to change without notice. To ensure the most current version of this manual, please download the current version from our website: caltestelectronics.com

COMPLIANCE
Low-Voltage Directive (LVO) 2014/35/EU ( € Standard EN 61010-031:2015 Reduction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS 2) 2011/65/EU + AMO 2015/863 ANNEX Ill Exemption 6(c)

DISPOSAL OF OLD ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

(Applicable in the European Union and other European countries with separate collection systems). This product is subject to Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), and in jurisdictions adopting that Directive, is marked as being put on the market after August 13, 2005, and should not be disposed of as unsorted municipal waste. Please utilize your local WEEE collection facilities in the disposition of this product and otherwise observe all applicable requirements.

VOLTAGE DERATING CURVE

The derating curve of the absolute maximum input voltage (either input to ground) is shown as follows:

USING THE PROBE

Power Connection
Connect the USB power cable to the USB interface on the front of the oscilloscope and then to the input on the probe. See figure below.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE

Connect the BNC output connector to the vertical input of the oscilloscope.
Power on the probe.
Set the oscilloscope input to DC coupling and 1V/div. Center the trace on the display.
Set the attenuation setting on the oscilloscope to match the probe (10x).
Connect the hook probes to the leads.
Connect the black hook probe to the ground connection on the oscilloscope and the red hook probe to the test signal on the oscilloscope (1 kHz for example).
A wave matching the test signal displayed on the screen of the oscilloscope means the probe is working properly.

MAKING MEASUREMENTS

Connect the hook probes or alligator clips as needed to the leads.
Connect the probe to the oscilloscope with the BNC cable.
Switch the probe “ON.”
Set the attenuation setting on the oscilloscope to match the probe (10x).
Set the input impedance setting on the oscilloscope to match the probe (500)
Connect to the circuit to be tested.

⚠ CAUTION This probe is used to carry out differential measurements between two points on the circuit under test. This probe is not for electrically insulating the circuit under test and the measuring instrument.