I just got today a Rigol scope for a good price but it came sans probes. It is a 50Mhz scope. ( It is my first scope.)
I see some affordable ones online but mainly they state 100mhz. Are they compatible?
Thanks
I see some affordable ones online but mainly they state 100mhz. Are they compatible?
Thanks
You want a probe that has appreciably greater bandwidth than your scope, or else the
bandwidth of the system (probe + scope) will be much lower than that of the scope.
The 100MHz probe plus 50MHz scope will give around 40MHz net bandwidth.
Since the BNC connectors are standardized, the main thing to check is the probe's capacitance
adjustment range. Verify that the scope's input capacitance is within that range.
Also consider the attenuation that you need, usually x10 for solid state, and x100 for tubes.
If you work with tubes, also check the probe's voltage rating.
If you work with solid state circuits on pcbs, get some of these. They get rid of the inductive probe noise.
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bandwidth of the system (probe + scope) will be much lower than that of the scope.
The 100MHz probe plus 50MHz scope will give around 40MHz net bandwidth.
Since the BNC connectors are standardized, the main thing to check is the probe's capacitance
adjustment range. Verify that the scope's input capacitance is within that range.
Also consider the attenuation that you need, usually x10 for solid state, and x100 for tubes.
If you work with tubes, also check the probe's voltage rating.
If you work with solid state circuits on pcbs, get some of these. They get rid of the inductive probe noise.
Blocked
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Thanks for all of that. I checked the input capacitance of the Rigol 1052 versus the capacitance of the probes and they are within spec.....15pf +/- 2 or 3.
The probes are 10/100 switchable and I will be mainly using for testing ripple in psus and for solid state amps.
Just a thing to play with and learn initially until I grasp the whole scope thing!
The probes are 10/100 switchable and I will be mainly using for testing ripple in psus and for solid state amps.
Just a thing to play with and learn initially until I grasp the whole scope thing!
I've be very reluctant to pay money for an 100 millihertz 'scope or probes!
MHz MHz MHz MHz MHz....
MHz MHz MHz MHz MHz....
Perfect match if he´s measuring DC voltages 😉
And is in no real hurry, of course, although a 10 second time constant is sort of bearable 🙂
Which model Rigol?
There is a 50MHz model that can be hacked with firmware to remove the 50MHz limit and make it effectively a 100MHz model - for free
Then all you'll need is a 200MHz probe to take best advantage of that new 100MHz bandwidth 😀
I have that scope knocking about in the workshop as a backup and I did the upgrade - it's very easy to do with a hacked firmware upload to it.
Easily found on the internet.
I have that scope knocking about in the workshop as a backup and I did the upgrade - it's very easy to do with a hacked firmware upload to it.
Easily found on the internet.
Nothing wrong with equipping the 'scope for future work, and making it as accurate as possible at those higher freqs...
There's not a huge difference in cost between a 100MHz and a 200MHz probe.
The scope upgrade is free, but why buy twice with the probe.
There's not a huge difference in cost between a 100MHz and a 200MHz probe.
The scope upgrade is free, but why buy twice with the probe.
You think limit of human hearing will go from 100MHz to 200MHz in the near future?
If so, yes, it´s a wise move, will save time and money.
If so, yes, it´s a wise move, will save time and money.
If you decide to do that, hold off a few months until the scope has worked properly and been reliable.
Or wait until the end of the warranty period to be safe. You won't need the extra bandwidth anytime soon.
But do buy the better probes to start with.
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Thanks again. I'll let you guys conject amongst yourselves but it should do for me fora good few years....it it keeps working.
I paid £120 for it. It isnt new . But it was my decision after reading a few reviews. It is deemed 'old hat' but having read the instruction manual and very little of it making any sense I think i shall be OK for some time!
I paid £120 for it. It isnt new . But it was my decision after reading a few reviews. It is deemed 'old hat' but having read the instruction manual and very little of it making any sense I think i shall be OK for some time!
Just always use at least a x10 probe (or x100) to avoid damaging the input circuitry of the scope.
This happens a lot among casual users, and even at research labs.
This happens a lot among casual users, and even at research labs.
Indeed. 1x probes also have horrible bandwidth, and add a ton of capacitance to the node that you're probing, making it pretty much useless for testing stability or HF response. 10x probes are absolutely essential, and 100x probes are not a bad idea either.
If you can get really fancy, an active probe can do wonders, but they can be pricey. There too, you have to be paranoid about damaging the active circuitry, making a good old 10x probe a very useful piece of gear for basic work.
If you can get really fancy, an active probe can do wonders, but they can be pricey. There too, you have to be paranoid about damaging the active circuitry, making a good old 10x probe a very useful piece of gear for basic work.
Yes, just don't make the rookie mistake of trying to make a differential measurement with a single-ended probe.
Very bad things can happen, to the scope, your circuit, and you. If there's a ground clip, it has to be connected to ground.
That's why it's called a ground clip. The very limited circumstances otherwise are not for the novice, in any event.
Very bad things can happen, to the scope, your circuit, and you. If there's a ground clip, it has to be connected to ground.
That's why it's called a ground clip. The very limited circumstances otherwise are not for the novice, in any event.
I use both CH1 & CH2 probes tips to measure differentially with the CRO set to the ADD function and the GND clips to the chassis to reduce noise. Mind you, 100Mhz differential probes would cost more than any decent CRO.
For experienced CRO users, i.e. you know what you are doing, an earth isolation socket adapter on the CRO's power cord is sometimes used on floating chassis circuits with no earth or double insulated.
For experienced CRO users, i.e. you know what you are doing, an earth isolation socket adapter on the CRO's power cord is sometimes used on floating chassis circuits with no earth or double insulated.