High Voltage Probe Suggestion Needed

• High Voltage Probe Suggestion Needed
  Posted by TheRuler8510 on 10 May, 2014 06:21
• hey guys,
  
  Does anybody have a suggestion on what kind of high voltage probe I need to get that will work with my Fluke 87-V to measure 5KV-10KV? 
  
  I know nothing about these probes.  I assume they do voltage division of 10:1 or 100:1. Do I have that right?
  
  I was hoping to get something on on eBay for $50-$60, if not, what do I need--or do I have the wrong idea entirely?
  
  Thanks,
  
• #1 Reply
  Posted by HighVoltage on 10 May, 2014 10:31
• For high voltage measurements with a multimeter, I have one of these older Fluke 80K-6 High Voltage probes for up to 6 kV
  You find them for low cost on ebay:
  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-80K-6-HV-High-Voltage-6000-Volt-Probe-Multi-meter-Accessory-Very-Nice-/121338306864
  
  Agilent also has one in the accessory department
  This one goes up to 20 kV
  http://www.home.agilent.com/en/pd-1000003703%3Aepsg%3Apro-pn-34136A/high-voltage-probe?&cc=DE&lc=ger
  
  Probe Characteristics:
  
      Multimeter impedance: 10 M?
      DC Accuracy, 2% from 1 kV to 20 kV, 3% to 40 kV
      AC Accuracy, 5% at 60 Hz; derates with frequency to -3 dB at 300 Hz
      Input resistance: 1000 M?
      Maximum voltage, 40 kVDC
      Length: cable is 1 meter
      Termination: shrouded banana plugs and ground clip
  
  I have one of these Agilent probes as well, and it was new around Euro 150, if I remember right.
  
  But it all depends on what kind of signals you want to measure.
  
• #2 Reply
  Posted by GreyWoolfe on 10 May, 2014 11:50
• I have the Fluke 80K-6 and it works fine business.  I used it to check voltages on an analog scope with no issues.  I paid $65 for a Fluke 27FM multimeter, a set of probes and a hard case along with the HV probe.  It was military surplus and the probe looked like it hadn't been used.
• #3 Reply
  Posted by rolycat on 10 May, 2014 12:54
• Since you stated that you need to measure voltages between 5 and 10 kV, an 80K-6 would not be adequate.
  
  The Fluke 80K-15 or 80K-40 probes would do the job, and can be readily found on eBay:
  This 80K-40 is currently on offer at $89.95.
  
  
• #4 Reply
  Posted by w2aew on 10 May, 2014 13:49
• Quote from: TheRuler8510 on 10 May, 2014 06:21

  hey guys,
  
  Does anybody have a suggestion on what kind of high voltage probe I need to get that will work with my Fluke 87-V to measure 5KV-10KV? 
  
  I know nothing about these probes.  I assume they do voltage division of 10:1 or 100:1. Do I have that right?
  
  I was hoping to get something on on eBay for $50-$60, if not, what do I need--or do I have the wrong idea entirely?
  
  Thanks,
  

  
  I did a video on this topic...  ...be careful that the input impedance of the meter will change depending on the voltage range!
  
  
• #5 Reply
  Posted by Flump on 10 May, 2014 14:02
• Heres Mine!

  ---

  

  

  
• #6 Reply
  Posted by HighVoltage on 10 May, 2014 14:28
• Quote from: w2aew on 10 May, 2014 13:49

  
  I did a video on this topic...  ...be careful that the input impedance of the meter will change depending on the voltage range!
  

  
  w2aew,
  What a nice Video you made, thanks for that.
  I had no idea, that the RCA probe was available at so many different resistor values, always thought that they are all 990 MOhm.
  
  
• #7 Reply
  Posted by TheRuler8510 on 11 May, 2014 02:29
• Thanks guys, that clears it all up...and excellent video too!
  
  Regards,
  Tom
• #8 Reply
  Posted by David Hess on 11 May, 2014 17:38
• Quote from: w2aew on 10 May, 2014 13:49

  I did a video on this topic...  ...be careful that the input impedance of the meter will change depending on the voltage range!
  

  
  I learned this lesson with a Fluke 80K-6 which I picked up for measuring the cathode voltage on a Tektronix 7834 that I was refurbishing.  I wanted to check the calibration of the probe which was used but in excellent condition and the multimeter I was using but when I broke out my HP3478A, it read high on the lower voltage ranges (30mV, 300mV, 3V) while all of my other multimeters, I have quite a collection, were consistent.  I had already suspected this would happen and a quick calculation showed that the high reading was consistent with the others when the high input resistance was considered.  I ultimately satisfied myself that accuracy would be well within the specification for the probe although it would be nice to have a high voltage calibrated source for such checks.
  
  This would be an even larger problem with cheap multimeters that do not have a calibrated 10 MOhm input resistance.
  
  I still use the 7834.  It is faster than any DSO that I can afford.