Electronics > Repair
Tektronix TCP202 current probe repair - Schematic and suggestions needed
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Tantratron:

--- Quote from: MarkL on June 17, 2020, 03:12:04 pm ---Also sounds like you're not getting any signal out of it.  Can you see any deflection with just a test DC current of 1A?

--- End quote ---

Just connected a DC load from then going up to 1A while the TCP202 clamped... no deflection at all on my TDS540C while pushing at different times the force trig
MarkL:
If it fails on both your TDS504 and the 1103, it sounds like it's the probe.  You could also do one final check and do the 1A on/off test while measuring the output of the probe with a DMM.  Also check the power supply pads on the 1103 TekProbe connector.  Pinout is here:

  http://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/1103

Do either of the offset adjustments on the probe (not on the 1103) move the trace?  Or change the DMM reading?

There are two connectors inside the probe housing, and one inside the compensation box.  Since it was presumably working before shipping, you could check to make sure that everything is seated properly.

Be careful disassembling the probe head.  There's a tiny ball bearing which can (and will) roll away unexpectedly.  If you lose it, the jaws will not "click" closed.

If you purchased the probe as "working", I would check with the seller before opening anything.  They might not accept a return if you break any seals.  And if it was supposed to be working and they don't want you to mess with it, I would return it.
Tantratron:
Thanks Mark for helping me.

Could it be a situation that the trip from Austria to France would have created an internal connector loose via chock or vibration ?

In the meantime, i've written to the eBay seller whom I now discover is a professional seller plus he works as a calibration technician to big company called TRESCAL Group (found his name on LinkedIn). What is wierd, this man is in the know of all these advanced and legacy testing gears plus he produced a calibration certificate on behalf my company.

However one thing which annoyed me was the fact he said the probe to be in excellent condition but he never showed a picture where the internal jaw is partially cracked (see attached picture). Just hoping this will end OK because I've paid 500€ + 18€ shipment...

Attached pictures I've sent him, you'll see my test using an induction lamp, my good old P6021 and P5210 then the flat output TCP202.

Albert
MarkL:
Yes, I was suggesting that maybe a connector popped out during shipping, assuming the seller was being forthright.  It happens.

But metal parts around the core exposed, it looks like?  If so, that piece of metal shielding is connected to ground when the jaw is locked.  The broken insulator is supposed to protect you and your scope when measuring current through uninsulated wires.

Besides the trouble with the functionality, that's a safety issue.  Considering what you paid, I would return it as defective immediately.
Tantratron:
The seller did not respond to my query sent yesterday so this morning I declared the issue to the eBay protecting system. He now accepted to refund me so I will ship back the probe. He claims to have tested the probe, that it worked prior shipping so my oscilloscope to be the problem. Anyway he did not comment on the other issue you have raised regarding the lack of isolation inside the jaw having in mind his eBay add said excellent condition.

One last question, my TDS540C does self-switch to 50 ohms, DC and displays A (Amperes) instead of V (Volts) once the TCP202 is inserted then locked into of of its Channel input. Do you know if the electrical self-recognize this TCP202 probe by the TDS540C is just passive coded electrical connector or is managed by some active electronics in the probe internal PCB's.

What is certain, no signal comes from this probe wether connected to a valid 1103, a valid TDS540C (I've tried all 4 channels) and there is a safety issue inside the jaw system. If some of you have such probe to sell and in good working condition, let me know since I need this probe along my actual tek P5210 to perform testing on behalf the University of Toulouse.
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