Final Review Copy * 7.16.2013
P7600 Series Probes
Adapters
ZZZ
Instructions
Overview
These instructions apply to the adapters below:
Adapter
Description
P76CA-292
2.92 mm Coax Adapter
1
P76CA-292C
2.92 mm Coax Adapter with Cables
P76CA-SMP
SMP Coax Adapter with Cables
P76TA
P7500 Series Solder Tip Adapter
2
P76CA-BTI292 P7600 Custom Tip Interface Coax
Adapter
1
1
Requires a matched-pair coaxial cable set
2
Requires a P7500 Series TriMode solder tip
Accessories
All of the adapters include these instructions and
a 2 mm hex wrench for securing the adapter to
the probe head. The P76TA adapter also includes
a kit of solder ramps to help minimize the solder
tip lead lengths for best performance.
Description
The coax adapters are designed to complete the
connection from Tektronix P7600 Series probes
to SMP and SMA connectors on your circuit. The
coax adapters support full TriMode capability
(differential, single-ended, and common-mode
con
fi
gurations).
Use the P76CA-292 Coax Adapter with high
bandwidth, low skew (<2 ps) cable pairs. The
cables should be short (<6 in /152 mm) and have
high-quality connectors at both ends.
The P76TA Solder Tip Adapter allows you to
connect to P7500 Series TriMode solder-down
tips; for example, the P75PST Performance
Solder Tip.
The P76CA-BTI292 Coax Adapter allows
the conversion of the P76TA or P76CA
adapters’ Buffered Tip Interface to a pair of
2.92 mm connectors. Using this adapter, the
distance between the circuit under test and the
oscilloscope can be extended. High bandwidth,
low skew cable pairs should be used for this
extended reach.
Using the Adapters
The probe and probe adapters are extremely
sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Always work at an ESD-approved workstation or
in an ESD-approved environment.
Secure mechanical connections are necessary
to ensure the best signal integrity between the
adapters, the probe and the circuit under test.
Therefore, always observe the best practices
listed below for the best performance.
Use the 2 mm hex wrench included with the
adapters to tighten the screw on the adapter
housing to the probe head.
After you hand-tighten the coax connectors
to your circuit, use two wrenches to secure
each connector: One on the middle cable
nut to minimize cable twist, and a torque
wrench on the connector.
When you tighten cable connectors that are
close to each other (as on the P76CA-292
adapter), be careful not to strike adjacent
connectors with the wrench.
To preserve the adapter cables and maintain
the highest signal
fi
delity, never kink the
wires or put undue stress on them.
Secure the probe and probe adapter to the
circuit or chassis to prevent excessive strain
on the connections. For example, do not
let the weight of the probe head pull on
the coax connectors if the probe is hanging
vertically off of the circuit.
Connection Procedures
Connect the adapter to the probe head or
P76CA-BTI292 Coax Adapter, and then connect
the cable or use the solder-down procedure for
your circuit connection. These procedures are
described in detail below.
Adapter to Probe Head or P76CA-BTI292
1.
Align the adapter to the probe head or the
P76CA-BTI292 adapter.
2.
Push the adapter in until it seats against the
probe head or adapter.
3.
Use the 2 mm hex wrench to tighten the
screw on the adapter.
CAUTION.
To prevent over-torquing the
screw, only insert the long end of the wrench
into the screw. The probe head can be
damaged by over-torquing the screw.
Coax Adapters
To prevent damage and prolong connector and
cable life, the cable and center conductors must
not twist when making connections.
CAUTION.
Always use a wrench to minimize
the cable twist when you connect and
disconnect the 2.92 mm adapters and cables.
Use a torque wrench to tighten the connectors
to 8 in-lbs. Failure to do so will shorten the
service life of the adapters.
Coaxial cables can store a static charge when
they are not connected to equipment or circuitry,
so you should brie
fl
y short the center conductor
of the cable to the outer conductor before
*P071302701*
071-3027-01
