Tektronix Oscilloscope & Test Probes

Tektronix groups probes primarily by host interface and by measurement class. Interface families matter because many probes are powered and recognized automatically by the oscilloscope: TekVPI probes such as the TAP1500, TAP2500 and TAP3500 draw power and settings from supported TekVPI scopes; TekConnect probes such as the P7225, P7240, P7260 and high‑bandwidth differential models (for example P7350, P7380, P7313, P7313SMA, P7380A, P7516) use the TekConnect physical and power interface; and TEKPROBE BNC / Level II probes such as P6243, P6245, P6247 and P6249 rely on TEKPROBE power/encoding or an external 1103 supply. Current probes are split between those that connect to a dedicated amplifier (for example TCP303 or TCP312 used with the TCPA300) and TekVPI/TEKPROBE current probes that connect directly to the scope (for example TCP0030 / TCP0030A / TCP0150).

Bandwidth and rise time identify what you can resolve: Tektronix offers single‑ended active probes (examples: TAP1500 at 1.5 GHz, TAP2500 at 2.5 GHz, P7240 at 4 GHz) and a family of differential/Z‑Active and TriMode probes that reach much higher analog bandwidths (for example P7350 at 5.0 GHz, P7260 at 6.0 GHz, P7380 / P7380A at 8.0 GHz, P7313 / P7313SMA and P7513A at 13 GHz, and P7516 at 16 GHz). Differential probes list differential input resistance, input capacitance and selectable attenuation; TriMode probes (P7516, P7513A) add single‑ended and common‑mode measurement modes in one head. For current measurement, small‑jaw, high‑bandwidth probes such as TCP0030 / TCP0030A cover up to 120 MHz and 30 A ranges, while large‑jaw, high‑current clamp systems such as TCP404XL paired with the TCPA400 amplifier cover DC to 2 MHz at hundreds of amps. High‑voltage measurement is a separate category: passive and active high‑voltage probes (P5100, P5200, P5205, P5205A, P5210, P6015A) trade bandwidth for isolation and safe input ranges up to kilovolt levels.

Start by matching the probe interface to your oscilloscope. If your scope supports TekVPI, choose TekVPI probes (for example TAP1500, TAP2500, TAP3500, TCP0030); if it has TekConnect choose TekConnect probes (P7225, P7240, P7260, P7350, P7516); if it supports TEKPROBE BNC or Level II, consider P6243/P6245/P6249 series or use the 1103 power supply when required. Next, choose by domain: use active voltage or differential probes for GHz‑class signals, TriMode or Z‑Active differential probes when you need single‑ended, differential and common‑mode measurements from the same head (examples: P7516, P7513A). For power and high‑current work, pair a suitable probe head with its amplifier when required (TCP303/TCP312 on TCPA300; TCP404XL on TCPA400). For high‑voltage work, select probes rated to the system’s maximum differential or earth‑referenced voltages (P5210, P5205/P5205A, P5100, P6015A). Finally, factor in loading (input capacitance and input resistance), attenuation options, and the probe’s dynamic range relative to the signal amplitude you must capture.