P6042: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 05:40, 13 July 2024

Tektronix P6042
DC−50 MHz current probe P6042 complete Compatible with 50 Ω scope inputs Produced from 1967 to (?) Manuals Tektronix P6042 Manual Tektronix P6042 Calibration Procedure

Manuals – Specifications – Links – Pictures

The Tektronix P6042 is a DC to 50 MHz current probe introduced in 1967. It was designed by Cal Hongel.

The sensor contains a current transformer for HF and a hall effect sensor for LF/DC components. The amplifier combines DC/LF and HF signals.

The AM503, introduced about a decade later, is a redesign of the P6042 with removable probes.

Key Specifications

Bandwidth	DC to 50 MHz (−3 dB)
Rise time	7 ns
Ranges	1 mA/div to 1 A/div (1–2–5) with scope in 50 mV/div
Output	to 50 Ω scope input at 50 mV/div
Maximum input	10 A DC+peak AC in 5 mA to 1 A ranges, 0.5 A in 1 mA and 2 mA ranges
Power	90-136 or 180-272 V, 20 W

Internals

Locking the probe requires pushing past the resistance felt when the core almost closes. This engages a mechanism that firmly presses both core halves together, and extinguishes the "Probe unlocked" indicator.

The P6042's core halves are precision lapped and potted with epoxy. They have Mu-metal screening. The lower (fixed) core also contains the Hall element. Unfortunately, the P6042 probe is quite sensitive mechanically, and in many units offered for sale, the cores are damaged.

The amplifier front-end is constructed using a 156-0014-00 differential amplifier integrated circuit, labelled "M18", which cross-references to a long-obsolete Teledyne "831-BE". Jim Williams' Applicaion Note 61 contains a replacement circuit using LT1228 opamps (page 19).

Prices

$525 in 1967 (~$5,500 in 2022 Dollars)

Links

Documents Referencing P6042

Document	Class	Title	Authors	Year	Links
Tekscope 1974 V6 N3.pdf	Article	Using your oscilloscope probe (Part 2)	Riley Stock	1974	P6201 • P6042

Patents that may apply to P6042

Page	Title	Inventors	Filing date	Grant date	Links
Patent US 3482163A	Magnetic signal measuring device including degaussing means	Bill Peek • Eldon Lee Hoven	1967-05-24	1969-12-02	P6042 • A6302 • A6302XL • A6303 • A6303XL • A6304XL • A6312 • AM503 • AM503A • AM503B • AM5030 • 11A16

Pictures

amplifier front
amplifier and sensor
sensor detail
rear view
catalog image
P6042 amplifier internal view
P6042 amplifier internal view
P6042 amplifier internal view
Top half core of probe
Bottom of probe with half core and Hall sensor

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:p6042-complete.jpg|thumb|350px|right|P6042]]
+{{Probe Sidebar
-The '''Tektronix P6042''' is a DC to 50 MHz current probe [[introduced in 1967]].
+|manufacturer=Tektronix
+|model=P6042
+|summary=DC−50 MHz current probe
+|image=P6042-complete.jpg
+|caption=P6042 complete
+|for=50 Ω scope inputs
+|introduced=1967
+|discontinued=(?)
+|designers=Cal Hongel;
+|manuals=
+* [[Media:070-0629-00.pdf|Tektronix P6042 Manual]]
+* [[Media:Tek p6042 calibration procedure dec 1967.pdf|Tektronix P6042 Calibration Procedure]]
+}}
+The '''Tektronix P6042''' is a DC to 50 MHz current probe [[introduced in 1967]].  It was designed by [[Cal Hongel]].
 The sensor contains a current transformer for HF and a hall effect sensor for LF/DC components.
 The amplifier combines DC/LF and HF signals.
-The [[AM503#Background|AM503]] is a redesign of the P6042.
+The [[AM503#Background|AM503]], introduced about a decade later, is a redesign of the P6042 with removable probes.
 {{BeginSpecs}}
-{{Spec | Bandwidth | DC to 50 MHz (-3 dB) }}
+{{Spec | Bandwidth     | DC to 50 MHz (−3 dB) }}
-{{Spec | Rise time | 7 ns }}
+{{Spec | Rise time     | 7 ns }}
-{{Spec | Ranges | 1 mA/Div to 1 A/Div (1-2-5) }}
+{{Spec | Ranges        | 1 mA/div to 1 A/div (1–2–5) with scope in 50 mV/div }}
-{{Spec | Output | to 50 Ω scope input at 50 mV/Div }}
+{{Spec | Output        | to 50 Ω scope input at 50 mV/div }}
 {{Spec | Maximum input | 10 A DC+peak AC in 5 mA to 1 A ranges, 0.5 A in 1 mA and 2 mA ranges }}
-{{Spec | Power | 90-136 or 180-272 V, 20 W}}
+{{Spec | Power         | 90-136 or 180-272 V, 20 W }}
 {{EndSpecs}}
-==Manuals==
+==Internals==
-* [http://w140.com/tek_p6042.pdf Tektronix P6042 Manual (PDF)]
+Locking the probe requires pushing past the resistance felt when the core almost closes.  This engages a mechanism that firmly presses both core halves together, and extinguishes the "Probe unlocked" indicator.
+The P6042's core halves are precision lapped and potted with epoxy.  They have Mu-metal screening.  The lower (fixed) core also contains the Hall element.
+Unfortunately, the P6042 probe is quite sensitive mechanically, and in many units offered for sale, the cores are damaged.
+The amplifier front-end is constructed using a 156-0014-00 differential amplifier integrated circuit, labelled "M18", which [[Media:Tektronix_Xref_sm.pdf|cross-references]] to a long-obsolete Teledyne "831-BE".  [[Jim Williams]]' [https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/application-notes/an61fa.pdf Applicaion Note 61] contains a replacement circuit using LT1228 opamps (page 19).
+==Prices==
+* $525 in 1967 (~$5,500 in 2022 Dollars)
 ==Links==
-* [http://www.amplifier.cd/Test_Equipment/Tektronix/Tektronix_other/P6042.htm Tek P6042 page @ amplifier.cd]
+* [[Media:Service Scope 46 Oct 1967.pdf | Service Scope 46, October 1967]]
+* [https://www.amplifier.cd/Test_Equipment/Tektronix/Tektronix_other/P6042.htm Tek P6042 page @ amplifier.cd]
 * [http://www.barrytech.com/tektronix/probes/tekp6042.html Tek P6042 page @ barrytech.com]
-* [http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/tektronix_current_probe_dc_to_50_m.html Tek P6042 page @ radiomuseum.org]
+* [https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/tektronix_current_probe_dc_to_50_m.html Tek P6042 page @ radiomuseum.org]
-* [http://www.pa4tim.nl/?p=3135 P6042 repair by Fred, PA4TIM]
+* [https://www.pa4tim.nl/?p=3135 P6042 repair by Fred, PA4TIM]
-* [[Media:Service Scope 46 Oct 1967.pdf | Service Scope 46, October 1967]]
+* [https://www.eetimes.com/author.asp?section_id=36&doc_id=1330593 P6042 teardown @ EEtimes]
+{{Documents|Link=P6042}}
+{{PatentLinks|P6042}}
 ==Pictures==
@@ Line 36: / Line 60: @@
 Tek p6042 amp internal2.jpg|P6042 amplifier internal view
 Tek p6042 amp internal3.jpg|P6042 amplifier internal view
+P6042 probe top.jpg    | Top half core of probe
+P6042 probe bottom.jpg | Bottom of probe with half core and Hall sensor
 </gallery>
 [[Category:Oscilloscope current probes]]
-[[Category:Introduced in 1967]]