Probe Calibration
Use the Probe tab of the Calibration dialog to have a DCA-X determine the gain and offset of a probe and then apply those factors to the calibration of that channel. Click Tools > Calibrations to open this dialog. A probe calibration requires:
- A supported active probe.
- A supported module that includes a Probe Power connector: 54752A, 54754A, 83484A, 83486A, 86108A, 86108B, and 86112A.
- The probe must be connected to an electrical input channel with probe power supplied by the DCA-X module's front panel Probe Power connector. After the active probe is detected, FlexDCA automatically adds a Probe Setup block to the Channel External Hardware Setup dialog. The DCA-X cannot detect any information about the attached probe.
The calibration is performed using a DC level from the DCA-X's front-panel DC Cal output. The DCA-X calibrates the voltage at the tip of the probe or the cable input. The probe calibration is performed on electrical channels only and is only performed on one channel at a time. A probe calibration does not have to be performed but is recommended.
The Probe tab is only shown if a DCA-X has automatically detected a supported active probe on a 54752A, 54754A, 83484A, 83486A, 86108A, 86108B, or 86112A module.
Do not remove a module from the DCA-X during a calibration.
If your probe does not use the probe power connection or it is a passive probe, open the Channel External Hardware Setup dialog, select An External Attenuator is Connected, and click Setup to enter the probe's attenuation.
You should calibrate a probe before making any critical measurements.
Typically, probes have standard attenuation factors, such as divide by 10, divide by 20, or divide by 100. If the probe being calibrated has an unusual attenuation, like 3.75, the instrument will adjust the vertical scale factors to an unusual number, such as 3.75 V/div.
The input circuits can be damaged by electrostatic discharge (ESD). Therefore, avoid applying static discharges to the front-panel input connectors. Prior to connecting any coaxial cable to the connectors, momentarily short the center and outer conductors of the cable together. Avoid touching the front-panel input connectors without first touching the frame of the instrument. Be sure that the instrument is properly earth-grounded to prevent buildup of static charge. An anti-static mat and wristband are strongly recommended.
To calibrate a probe
- If you are calibrating an N2800A-series probe, skip this procedure and use these steps instead .
- Connect the probe to the electrical channel you want to use.
- Open the Channel External Hardware Setup dialog. If the probe has been detected, click Setup to display the Channel Probe Setup dialog. Enter the probe information.
- Connect the probe tip to the front-panel DC Cal output.
- Click Tools > Calibrations and click the Probe tab.
- Click Calibrate to initiate the probe calibration.
Do not remove the module or probe tip during the probe calibration.
For accurate calibration results, ensure there is a ground between the probe ground tip and the instrument mainframe.