I-Prober 520 Non Clamp Current Probe

Isolated and Non-Intrusive Current Probe

The Powertek I-Prober 520 is a non-contact non clamp current probe, allowing fast easy measurement of ac and dc currents in PCB tracks and cables. It works by placing the insulated tip of the probe onto a PCB track, the current flowing in the track can be observed and measured.

The I-Prober 520 probe is unlike any other current measurement device available. Calibrated measurement of current normally requires the current to be passed through a closed magnetic loop. Typically this is done using some form of split clamp device. Where this may be suitable for individual wires, it has limited use for measuring current in PCB tracks - often in high density pcb boards.

The I-Prober 520 current probes can be used with all oscilloscopes.

Features:

Observe and measure current in a PCB track
Make measurements using non-contact probing
Suitable for observation and measurement of current in component leads and PCB tracks
Wide dynamic range of 10mA to 20A pk to pk
Wide bandwidth of DC to 5MHz
Low noise equivalent to < 6mA rms at full bandwidth
Minimal disturbance to circuit conditions, very low insertion impedance and stray capacitance
Safety rated to 300V Cat II (600V Cat I)
Suitable for connection to any oscilloscope
High accuracy general purpose H-field probe
Converts to a standard "closed magnetic circuit" current probe

In stock - call now 631 615 6279 or +44 1788 519911

I-Prober 520 Non-Contact Current Probe Datasheet

I-Prober 520 current probe Specifications

Output Signal

Maximum Output:

10V

Oscilloscope Inputs:

Suitable for an input impedance of 1MΩ in parallel with < 30pF

Trace Position:

Wide range DC offset control within signal conditioner

Safety

Max. Circuit Voltage:

300V Cat II (on AC line circuits). 600V Cat 1 (on uncategorized circuits inside equipment)

Max. Tip Temperature:

150°C maximum allowable temperature at probe tip

Conformance:

Complies with EN61010-1 and EN61010-031

Bandwidth Control

Switch Position:

Full

500kHz

2Hz

Nominal Bandwidth:

DC to 5MHz

DC to 500kHz

DC to 2Hz

Risetime:

< 70ns

700ns

175ns

Aberrations:

< ±5%

< ±1%

*This is the noise level for current measurement using the Toroid attachment. For PCB track measurement the equivalent noise will depend upon the track width and gain setting but will be similar to the Toroid measurement figure for a track width of 0.5mm.

HF Performance

Propagation Delay:

60ns typical (to 10%)

Bandwidth:

DC to 5MHz (small signal)

Slew Rate:

15A/us (equivalent)

Overload Indication

Indicator Threshold:

Indicator LED within signal conditioner will light if output voltage exceeds +/- 10V or if large magnetic fields cause the system to saturate

Power Source

Power Supply:

5.2V at up to 5 watts from AC line adaptor (supplied)

Mechanical

Probe Dimensions:

155mm x 38mm x 28mm max; 2.8mm x 1.8mm at tip

Cable Length:

2m from probe tip to output BNC

EMC

Conformance:

Complies with EN61326

Magnetic Field Measurement (Mode = Field)

Scaling Factor:

250uT (or 200A/m) per Volt.

Accuracy and Linearity:

±3%

Maximum Field:

±2.5mT (2000A/m).

Current Measurement using Toroid (Mode = Wire)

Scaling Factor:

1 Amp per Volt.

Accuracy and Linearity:

±5%

Current Range:

±10mA to +/-10A (DC + peak)

Max. Wire Diameter:

3.5mm (unbroken) or 6mm (end fed)

Current Measurement in PCB Tracks (Mode = PCB Track)

Scaling Factor:

Adjustable to 1 Amp per Volt for track widths 0.2mm to 3.5mm (0.007" to 0.14") and 2 Amp per volt for track widths 3mm to 6.5mm (0.125" to 0.25") using Calibrator and compensation graph.

Sensor Spacing:

0.7mm distance from sensor to PCB track set by probe design.

Calibrator:

Built-in calibrator within the signal conditioner providing an AC or DC calibration current through a 0.5mm track

Using the I-Prober 520 non-contact current probe

What's supplied?

The I-Prober 520 consists of the current probe connected by 1.25 metres of cable to its signal conditioner. From there a further 0.5 metres of cable is terminated in a BNC connector for use with any normal oscilloscope.

The probe is powered through the signal conditioner by a small universal-voltage ac adaptor.

A clip on toroid assembly is also provided which converts the probe into a conventional "closed magnetic circuit" current probe for measurement of current in a wire

The Signal Conditioner

The signal conditioner provides the choice of three modes of operation along with bandwidth filters, an offset control and overload indicator.

It also incorporates the calibrator needed for measurement on PCB tracks of differing widths.

PCB track current measurement

The unique feature of the I-Prober 520 is its ability to observe and measure currents flowing in PCB tracks by acting as a non-contact current probe.

The magnitude of the signal is critically related to its position relative to the conductor which means that the probe tip must be positioned carefully. The size of the conductor (e.g. the width of a PCB track) also has a significant effect.

This means that the sensitivity of the I-prober has to be adjusted to match the track width when quantitative measurements are required. A calibrator within the signal conditioner enables sensitivity adjustment in conjunction with a calibration graph.

The measurement result will also include other field effects present at the tip of the probe and not just that coming from the current through the conductor. This may include DC effects from adjacent magnetised components and from the earths magnetic field, plus AC effects from transformers and other field radiating sources.

Current in adjacent tracks, or tracks on the opposite side of the PCB will also affect the measurement.

There are potential solutions to these problems. The unwanted DC can be nulled out by observing the measurement without power to the circuit, whilst AC interference can be attenuated using bandwidth filters. The I-prober signal conditioner includes a wide range DC offset control and switchable filters.

Nevertheless, the use of the I-prober 520 requires interpretation based upon a proper understanding of circuits and systems. It is a tool for the professional engineer and is not suitable for use by just anyone.

Closed-loop current measurement (in a wire)

Whereas the primary purpose of the I-Prober 520 is as a positional current probe, the are many circumstances where current measurements can be made in the conventional way by enclosing the conductor.

To increase its overall usefulness, the I-Prober 520 is supplied with a clip-on toroid assembly which converts it into a closed magnetic circuit probe for measuring current in a wire.

The toroid is open until the probe is attached, allowing insertion of the wire without disconnection.

The wide bandwidth, dynamic range and low noise of the probe are retained but higher accuracy, repeatability and unwanted field rejection are achieved.

With the signal conditioner mode switch is set to Wire, the probe and toroid assembly are correctly calibrated for an output of 1 volt/amp.

Measurement of electromagnetic field

The very small size of the field sensor within the I-prober 520 gives it some unique capabilities when used to measure magnetic fields.

The variation of field with position can be accurately determined enabling the precise source of fields to be located and their variation in space measured.

With the signal conditioner mode switch is set to Field the output voltage is rescaled to measure in Teslas or in amps per metre.

I-Prober 520 Non-Contact Current Probe Datasheet