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https://www.autonerdz.com/cgi/yabb2/YaBB.pl General Public Area >> PicoScope >> Low current probe comparison. https://www.autonerdz.com/cgi/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1649790161 Message started by TrevorSchlientz on Apr 12^th, 2022 at 12:02pm

Title: Low current probe comparison.
Post by TrevorSchlientz on Apr 12^th, 2022 at 12:02pm

The image below is a comparison of 4 different Pico low current probes. I wanted to lay them out side by side and discuss some of the differences.

From L to R

TA189 Pico's high precision large jaw low amp probe. 25mm Jaw, 30A maximum range

TA018 The go to standby low current probe with a 9mm jaw and 2 modes of operation. 0-20a and 0-60A (Not used in comparison capture below)

TA496 New BNC+ 60A probe with 9mm jaw and much smaller physical dimensions

TA473 BNC+ 60A probe with 12mm jaw

Low_current_Compare.PNG (34 KB | 66 )

Low_Probes.jpg (321 KB | 63 )

Title: Re: Low current probe comparison.
Post by autosparky on Apr 13^th, 2022 at 2:31am

Trevor, could you use a 2amp or lower setting
Don't clamp anything and just slowly rotate the probe and see if there's any readings drifting.

Thanks

Title: Re: Low current probe comparison.
Post by TrevorSchlientz on Apr 13^th, 2022 at 8:01am

This picture was taken after placing both current probes on my desk side by side oriented the same way. I locked the scales to ±2A for each channel and then picked up the probes and tried to rotate them the same. One in each hand. It appears the new probe is more sensitive to its orientation within the Earth's magnetic field.

Earth_s_Magnetic_Field.PNG (78 KB | 86 )

Title: Re: Low current probe comparison.
Post by Andy_ on Apr 13^th, 2022 at 11:36am

Besides obviously being able to fit more or larger wires into the 12mm opening, is there any advantages or disadvantges to the 12mm opening vs. the 9mm opening?

It doesn't appear that the jam itself of the 473 is any bigger than the 496, is that correct?

How about in accuracy? Does the larger size have issues there?

Thanks for this comparision. It's interesting.