Why Do Probes Have So Many Accessories?

Most probe come with a set of standard accessories. These accessories usually include a grounding clamp for connecting probe, a compensation adjustment tool, and one or more probe tip accessories to assist in connecting probe to various test points. Figure 1 illustrates a typical universal voltage probe and examples of its standard accessories.

Figure 1 Typical general-purpose voltage probe with standard attachments

The probe designed for specific application areas (such as detecting surface-mounted devices) may include additional probe tip adapters in the standard accessory package. In addition, various specialized accessories can be provided as probe options. Figure 2 illustrates the different types of probe tip adapters designed for use with small probe.

Figure 2 An example of a small probe usage probe head adapter section. These adapters make it significantly easier to probe small circuits, and by providing a single probe testing connection with high signal integrity, they can improve measurement accuracy.

It is necessary to know that most probe accessories, especially probe tip adapters, are designed for use with specific probe models. We recommend not using adapters swapped between different probe models from different probe manufacturers, as this may cause poor test point connections or damage probe or probe adapters. 

When choosing which probe to purchase, one should consider the type of circuits to be detected and any adapters or accessories that make detection faster and easier. In many cases, inexpensive commercial probe do not allow for the selection of adapter options. On the other hand, probe obtained through oscilloscope manufacturers typically allow a very wide selection of accessories to adjust the probe according to specific needs. Figure 3 illustrates one example, showing the various accessories and options available for a certain type of probe. Of course, these accessories and options vary depending on the type and model of probe.

Figure 3 Examples of various accessories provided for the 5-mm (miniature) probe system. Other probe series have different accessories, depending on the applications the series probe is aimed at.

Reprinted from Tektronix