Often requested video: The importance of 10X scope probe compensation

[w2aew]

This topic has been covered in a few different videos, but is requested so often by my channel subscribers that I put a dedicated video together.  It reviews and demonstrates why properly compensating your 10x probes to *your* scope is so important, and why a probe with a much higher BW than your scope might not be suitable (and can lead to a poorer frequency response than a lower BW probe).

[BravoV]

Alan , again, very well done and imo this video contains a very valuable tips & knowledge especially for those newbie that is looking to buy an used scope or non factory standard probe.

Sounds trivial, but as usual the devil is always in the details  , scope's input capacitance MUST BE within probe's capacitance adjustable range, or your measurement result is just a garbage. 

Thank you very much Sir. 

[lapm]

Nice video. Explains nicely why i got 60MHz propes for 60 MHz analog scope...

[German_EE]

I have a set of 300 MHz probes and these come with compensation adjustments on the probe and the plug. First I need to feed a 1 KHz square wave into the scope and adjust the probe end, I then switch to a 1 MHz square wave and adjust the element in the plug.

[Radio Tech]

Great video. Appreciate this information. 
Last week I used a probe from my Owon DSO on one of my 10MHz Tek scopes. Could not set it.  After watching your video I thought about this probe so went out in the shop to try again.  Only to find out the probe is bad. 
Guess it is a good candidate to tear apart. 

[w2aew]

Great video. Appreciate this information. 
Last week I used a probe from my Owon DSO on one of my 10MHz Tek scopes. Could not set it.  After watching your video I thought about this probe so went out in the shop to try again.  Only to find out the probe is bad. 
Guess it is a good candidate to tear apart.

I'm glad you found this video helpful.

[mathias]

Hi Alan,

Very instructive video, as always! Great job!

[HighVoltage]

What a great video!
I did not expect the capacitive divider to take over the resistive divider at such low frequency. (I should have grabbed a calculator before).  Always something really great in your "back to basics" videos.
Thank you!

[tggzzz]

I'm a great fan of the ground bayonets on your probe; they are easy to use and ensure minimal ringing on signals with fast edges.

I even 3D printed a similar adaptor that wil fit onto many probes; see https://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/2015/04/23/scope-probe-accessory-improves-signal-fidelity/ for details and results

[w2aew]

I'm a great fan of the ground bayonets on your probe; they are easy to use and ensure minimal ringing on signals with fast edges.

I even 3D printed a similar adaptor that wil fit onto many probes; see https://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/2015/04/23/scope-probe-accessory-improves-signal-fidelity/ for details and results

REALLY nice job on the homemade ground adapter - bravo!

[w2aew]

What a great video!
I did not expect the capacitive divider to take over the resistive divider at such low frequency. (I should have grabbed a calculator before).  Always something really great in your "back to basics" videos.
Thank you!

Yes, surprising, isn't it?  Just a few kHz...

[tggzzz]

I'm a great fan of the ground bayonets on your probe; they are easy to use and ensure minimal ringing on signals with fast edges.

I even 3D printed a similar adaptor that wil fit onto many probes; see https://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/2015/04/23/scope-probe-accessory-improves-signal-fidelity/ for details and results

REALLY nice job on the homemade ground adapter - bravo!

Thanks.

I've wondered about either letting people order the plastic bit via Shapeways or just publishing the CAD file. The latter would enable anybody to tweak it to fit their probe.  I'm certainly not going to get into manufacturing the phosphor bronze sheet!

The plastic bits cost less than €3.50, so two cost less than the shipping.