Probing Principles
Maximum Current Limits
Current probes have three maximum current ratings: pulsed, continuous, and Ampere-second product. Exceeding any of these
ratings can saturate the probe core, which magnetizes the core and causes measurement errors. Refer to the speci
fi
cations for the
maximum current ratings of the probe. (See Table 2 on page 54.)
Maximum Pulsed Current (I
maxP
) is the
maximum peak value of pulsed current the
probe can accurately measure, regardless
of how short (within bandwidth limitations)
the pulse duration is.
Maximum Continuous Current (I
maxC
) is the
maximum current that can be continuously
measured at DC or at a speci
fi
ed AC
frequency. The maximum continuous
current value is derated with frequency;
as the frequency increases, the maximum
continuous current rating decreases.
20 A Current Probes Instruction Manual
43