P6042

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)
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

Links

Documents referencing P6042

Document	Class	Title	Authors	Year	Links
Service Scope 46 Oct 1967.pdf	Article	P6042 DC-to-50 MHz Current Probe	Cal Hongel	1967	P6042
Tekscope 1973 V5 N1 Jan 1973.pdf	Article	Repairing Oscilloscope Probes		1973	P6006 • P6021 • P6022 • P6042
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 3453403A	Power selection device	Eldon Hoffman	1966-08-18	1969-07-01	115 • 140 • 141 • 141A • 144 • 145 • 146 • 147 • 148 • 149 • 149A • 230 • 284 • 286 • 453 • 454 • 491 • 520A • 521A • 522 • 545B • 547 • 556 • 561B • 564B • 568 • 576 • 611 • 647A • 1340 • 2101 • 2601 • 4501 • 5030 • R5030 • 5031 • R5031 • P6042 • P7001 • 7503 • 7504 • 7704 • 7704A • 7904 • R7903
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

Prices

Year	Catalog price	In 2026 dollars
1967	$525	~$5,200

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. According to Dale Dorando, who designed the AM503, the Hall device was probably made with indium antimonide (InSb).

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' Application Note 61 contains a replacement circuit using LT1228 opamps (page 19).