Tektronix P6015A Passive High Voltage Probe: The Industry Standard in Extra-High Voltage Measurement

In extra-high voltage scenarios of industrial testing — from performance verification of high-voltage rectifiers above 10kV, to pulse voltage monitoring of large UPS systems, and to safety commissioning of high-voltage power equipment — "accurate signal capture" and "test safety guarantee" have always been the core challenges faced by engineers. Traditional high voltage probes either have insufficient voltage resistance to withstand extra-high voltage impacts, or require frequent maintenance of dielectric media, or cannot adapt to the input capacitance of different oscilloscopes, leading to measurement distortion.

The P6015A passive high voltage probe launched by Tektronix features an extra-high voltage rating of 15kV DC/40kV peak, a signal capture capability of 75MHz bandwidth, and an environmentally friendly maintenance-free design, making it the "industry standard" in the field of extra-high voltage measurement, providing a stable, safe and efficient solution for high-power equipment testing.

1. Product Introduction: A Dedicated Measurement Tool for Extra-High Voltage Scenarios, with Excellent Performance and Practicability

Tektronix P6015A is not a general-purpose high voltage probe, but a product specially designed for the segmented demand of "extra-high voltage measurement above 2.5kV". Its core positioning is to solve the pain points of "insufficient voltage resistance, cumbersome maintenance, poor compatibility" of traditional probes in extra-high voltage scenarios, while taking into account the accuracy of signal capture and the convenience of operation.

(1) Core Positioning and Features: Extra-High Voltage + Low Maintenance + Wide Compatibility

Extra-High Voltage Range Coverage to Meet Extreme Test Requirements

The core advantage of the P6015A lies in its excellent voltage withstand performance: it can stably measure DC voltage up to 15kV DC, and transient pulse voltage with a peak of 40kV (100ms pulse width). This range exactly covers the mainstream demand of "extra-high voltage" scenarios in the industrial field — whether it is voltage monitoring of high-voltage transmission systems, or pulse output testing of high-voltage power modules, there is no need to worry about probe damage or measurement interruption caused by insufficient voltage resistance, which fundamentally solves the problem of "unable and unwilling to measure under extra-high voltage".

Environmentally Friendly Silicone Resin Dielectric, Maintenance-Free to Reduce Operating Costs

Unlike some traditional high voltage probes that require regular dielectric oil refilling, the P6015A uses environmentally friendly silicone resin as the dielectric medium, which not only meets the environmental protection requirements of modern industry, but more importantly, "no refilling for life". This design greatly reduces the maintenance frequency and cost of the probe, especially suitable for on-site testing (such as outdoor high-voltage equipment commissioning) or long-term continuous monitoring scenarios, avoiding test interruption caused by dielectric maintenance and improving work efficiency.

Wide Compensation Range + Probe Body Coding Options, Compatible with Multiple Devices and Simplifying Operation

P6015A features a large compensation range of 7~49pF, which can be adjusted to match the nominal input capacitance of oscilloscopes of different brands and models (such as the common input capacitance range of oscilloscopes from brands like Tektronix and Agilent). This ensures distortion-free transmission of ultra-high voltage signals and solves the problem of "measurement errors caused by mismatch between the probe and the oscilloscope". Meanwhile, it is available in the "Option 1R" version that supports probe head coding — when connected to a Tektronix digital oscilloscope, the oscilloscope can directly display the actual signal voltage value, without requiring users to manually convert the displayed value by multiplying it by 1000 (1000X attenuation ratio). This feature particularly reduces calculation steps and errors when performing multi-channel simultaneous measurements, and improves operational convenience.

(II) Core Parameter Specifications: Rigorous Performance Defines Measurement Boundaries to Ensure Accuracy and Safety

The parameter design of P6015A is completely centered on the "accuracy" and "safety" of ultra-high voltage measurement, and each parameter corresponds to the key requirements in actual testing. The specific specifications are as follows:

As can be seen from the parameters, every performance indicator of the P6015A is designed for the pain points of ultra-high voltage measurement: the 3m length ensures a safe distance, the 1000X attenuation ratio protects the oscilloscope, the 75MHz bandwidth captures fast signals, and the 7~49pF compensation range improves equipment compatibility, comprehensively solving the issues of "safety, accuracy, and compatibility" in ultra-high voltage testing.

(III) Optional Accessories and Service: Optimized experience in details, worry-free after-sales guarantee

1. Standard Accessories: Cover diverse connection requirements, adapt to different tested terminals

The standard accessories of P6015A are completely designed around "convenient connection in ultra-high voltage scenarios", which can meet most testing requirements without additional procurement. The specific list and uses are as follows:

    ■Hook Probe Tip (206-0463-xx): It is wrapped with insulating material, only the probe tip contacts the terminal under test, avoiding high voltage leakage caused by insufficient insulation during testing. Meanwhile, the hook design can be stably fixed on the high-voltage terminal to prevent falling off.

    ■Banana Plug (134-0016-xx): Adapt to the banana-type test interface of some high-voltage equipment, expanding the connection methods of the probe, which is especially suitable for the standardized test interface of high-voltage power modules.

    ■Alligator Clip (344-0461-xx, for ground wire): It adopts a large insulated alligator clip, which can be stably clamped on the ground terminal of the equipment to ensure reliable grounding — "poor grounding" in ultra-high voltage testing can easily cause signal interference or even safety risks. This accessory ensures test stability from the details.

    ■Ground Wire (196-3363-xx): Special high-voltage ground wire with thick wire diameter and thick insulation layer, which can withstand the ground current in high-voltage scenarios and avoid safety hazards caused by insulation damage of the ground wire.

    ■Carrying Case (016-1147-xx): This is a hard waterproof carrying case with dedicated internal slots to secure the probe and accessories. It is ideal for carrying during field tests (such as commissioning of outdoor high-voltage transmission equipment, and high-power equipment testing in factory workshops), while protecting the probe from impacts and dust contamination, extending its service life.

    ■User Manual (070-8223-xx): This manual details the probe's calibration methods, safety operation specifications, and connection methods for different scenarios (such as differences between DC high-voltage measurement and pulsed high-voltage measurement), helping users get started quickly and avoid operational risks.

2. Exclusive Service Options: Long-term Guarantee for Measurement Accuracy and Equipment Life

The "calibration" and "maintenance" of ultra-high voltage probes directly affect measurement accuracy. The P6015A provides a wide range of service options for users to choose from based on their usage frequency and accuracy requirements, which include:

    ■Calibration Service (Options C3/C5): Option C3 is a 3-year calibration service, and Option C5 is a 5-year calibration service. Calibration is performed by Tektronix's professional team in accordance with international standards, ensuring the probe maintains accuracy during long-term use and avoiding measurement errors caused by parameter drift. Regular calibration is especially critical for high-accuracy scenarios such as ex-factory inspection of high-voltage equipment.

    ■Calibration Data Report (Options D1/D3/D5): Option D1 provides a single calibration data report, Option D3 (matched with C3) provides a 3-year calibration data report, and Option D5 (matched with C5) provides a 5-year calibration data report. The report contains detailed calibration parameters and error ranges, which can meet the documentation requirements of industry certifications such as ISO and IEC.

    ■Repair Service (Options R3/R5): Option R3 is a 3-year repair service, and Option R5 is a 5-year repair service. It covers non-human-induced damage to the probe (such as dielectric aging, poor connector contact, etc.). The professional repair team can respond quickly to reduce equipment downtime.

    ■Warranty Extension (Option SILV600): Extends the standard 1-year warranty to 5 years, further reducing the risk of long-term use, which is especially suitable for high-frequency use scenarios in laboratories or factories.

II. Product Advantages and Application Scenarios: The "All-in-one Solution" for Ultra-high Voltage Scenarios

The advantage of the P6015A is not simply reflected in its "ultra-high voltage range", but through the combination of "range + bandwidth + maintenance-free + compatibility", it becomes an "all-purpose tool" for ultra-high voltage scenarios, covering multiple core application fields such as high-voltage power equipment, large UPS, and high-voltage rectifiers.

(1) Core Advantages of P6015A: Targeted Solutions for Ultra-high Voltage Testing Pain Points

Safety and Stability under Ultra-high Voltage, Eliminating "Unmeasurable and Inaccurate"

The primary risk of ultra-high voltage testing is "high voltage breakdown" or "leakage current". P6015A guarantees safety through a dual design: First, the environmentally friendly silicone dielectric has excellent insulation performance, which can withstand long-term high voltage of 15kV DC without breakdown; Second, it complies with international safety standards such as UL61010-2-031 and EN61010-2-031, and has passed strict high-voltage leakage tests and dielectric strength tests. Meanwhile, the 3m probe cable allows testers to keep a safe distance and avoid direct proximity to high-voltage terminals, eliminating risks in terms of "equipment design" and "operational safety".

75MHz bandwidth captures fast signals and restores details under ultra-high voltage

Users tend to think that "ultra-high voltage signals are all low-frequency", but in actual scenarios, ultra-high voltage equipment is often accompanied by fast transient signals. For example, the output ripple frequency of a high-voltage rectifier can reach tens of kHz, and the rise time of voltage spikes during switching of large-scale UPS is only a few nanoseconds. The 75MHz bandwidth and 4.0ns rise time of P6015A can fully capture these fast signals, avoiding "flat-top waveforms" or "missing spikes" caused by insufficient bandwidth. For example, when testing the pulse output of a 10kV high-voltage power supply, it can accurately measure the rising edge, falling edge and peak voltage of the pulse to determine whether the power supply meets the design requirements.

Maintenance-free design reduces costs and compatibility with multiple devices improves flexibility

The dielectric oil of traditional high-voltage probes needs to be replaced every 1-2 years, which not only increases maintenance costs, but may also lead to decreased insulation performance due to improper maintenance. The silicone dielectric of P6015A is lifetime free of refilling, eliminating maintenance steps and costs. Meanwhile, the compensation range of 7~49pF is compatible with digital oscilloscopes from most brands such as Tektronix, Agilent, Keysight, so users do not need to replace their existing oscilloscopes to use P6015A, which reduces equipment investment costs. For example, the original laboratory Tektronix MSO5000 oscilloscope (input capacitance 15pF) and Agilent DSOX1204G oscilloscope (input capacitance 20pF) can both be matched by adjusting the compensation capacitance of P6015A, without additional purchase of dedicated probes.

Head coding option simplifies operation and improves multi-channel testing efficiency

The 1000X attenuation ratio means that "the actual voltage is obtained by multiplying the value displayed on the oscilloscope by 1000". If 3-4 channels are measured simultaneously (such as input, output and feedback voltage of high-voltage equipment), manual conversion is not only cumbersome but also prone to calculation errors. The 1R option head coding function of P6015A allows Tektronix oscilloscopes to directly recognize the probe attenuation ratio and display the actual voltage value. For example, when the oscilloscope displays "12.5V", it represents an actual input voltage of 12.5kV, with no manual operation required. Especially in batch testing (such as ex-factory inspection of high-voltage power supplies), it can greatly improve efficiency and reduce errors.

(II) Typical Application Scenarios: From laboratory to field, covering various ultra-high voltage requirements

The application scenarios of P6015A all focus on "ultra-high voltage measurement above 2.5kV". Each scenario corresponds to clear user pain points, and P6015A can provide targeted solutions:

1. High-voltage Rectifier Testing: Accurate measurement of DC output and ripple

User Pain Points: The output voltage of high-voltage rectifiers (such as 10kV/50A industrial rectifiers) can reach up to 10kV DC, and it is required to measure both "DC output voltage stability" and "output ripple". The former requires sufficient probe voltage withstand, while the latter requires the probe to have certain bandwidth to capture ripple signals (usually ripple frequency ranges from 50kHz to 100kHz). Traditional probes either have insufficient voltage withstand, or insufficient bandwidth that leads to distorted ripple measurement.

Solutions: The 15kV DC range of P6015A can stably measure the DC output voltage of the rectifier, and the 75MHz bandwidth can fully capture ripple signals below 100kHz; The 100MΩ high input resistance will not shunt the output current of the rectifier, ensuring that the measured value is close to the actual output; The hooked probe tip can be stably connected to the high-voltage output terminal of the rectifier, avoiding falling off during testing. For example, when testing a 12kV high-voltage rectifier, P6015A can measure the fluctuation range of its output voltage (requirement ≤±0.5%), while capturing the ripple amplitude (requirement ≤50Vpp), to determine whether the filtering effect of the rectifier is qualified.

2. Pulse Voltage Monitoring for Large-scale UPS Systems: Withstand transient high voltage and capture switching details

User Pain Points: When a large-scale UPS system (such as a 100kVA UPS in a data center) switches from mains power to backup power, the output terminal may generate transient pulse voltage below 40kV (duration 10~100ms). It is necessary to measure the peak value and waveform of this pulse to evaluate its impact on back-end equipment (such as servers and storage arrays). Traditional probes either cannot withstand the pulse high voltage, or have too slow rise time to capture pulse details.

Solution: The 40kV peak (100ms pulse) measurement range of P6015A fully covers the transient pulse voltage of UPS, and its 4.0ns rise time can accurately restore the rising and falling edges of the pulse; the dedicated high-voltage ground wire and alligator clip ensure reliable grounding and avoid interference to pulse signals; the carrying case allows easy transportation to the data center for on-site testing and protects the probe from dust in the equipment room. For example, in a UPS switching test of a data center, P6015A measured that the pulse peak during switching was 32kV with a duration of 50ms, which did not exceed the withstand voltage limit (40kV) of the back-end equipment, so it was determined that the UPS switching process was safe.

3. High-Voltage Power Semiconductor Testing: Evaluate Device Withstand Voltage and Switching Characteristics

User Pain Points: In R&D and ex-factory testing of high-voltage power semiconductors (such as 15kV SiC MOSFET), it is required to measure their "withstand voltage characteristics" (withstand 15kV DC without breakdown) and "switching characteristics" (voltage spike during switching). The former requires the probe to have a withstand voltage of 15kV, while the latter requires the probe to have sufficient bandwidth to capture switching spikes (rise time about 10ns).

Solution: The 15kV DC measurement range of P6015A meets the requirements of semiconductor withstand voltage testing, and its 75MHz bandwidth and 4.0ns rise time can capture voltage spikes during switching; the 3m probe cable allows testers to stay away from the high-voltage test bench, improving operational safety; the banana plug can adapt to the standardized interface of semiconductor test fixtures and ensures stable connection. For example, when testing a 15kV SiC MOSFET, P6015A measured that the voltage spike during turn-off was 16.2kV, which did not exceed the ultimate withstand voltage (18kV) of the device, so the switching characteristics of the device were judged to be qualified.

4. Pulse Output Testing of High-Voltage Power Modules: Compatible with Multiple Oscilloscopes and Ensure Mass Testing Accuracy

User Pain Points: In ex-factory testing of high-voltage power modules (such as 10kV pulse power supplies for medical equipment), it is required to conduct mass measurement of the peak value (required 10kV±5%) and waveform of pulse output. The laboratory currently has two oscilloscopes, Tektronix DPO7000 and Agilent DSOX6000, so the probe needs to adapt to the input capacitance of different oscilloscopes and simplify operation to improve testing efficiency.

Solution: The 7~49pF compensation range of P6015A can match the input capacitance of the two oscilloscopes respectively (Tektronix DPO7000 is 25pF, Agilent DSOX6000 is 30pF), ensuring measurement accuracy by adjusting the compensation capacitor; the head coding function of Option 1R allows both oscilloscopes (Tektronix supports direct identification, Agilent requires an adapter) to display the actual pulse voltage value without manual conversion; the carrying case can store the probe and accessories, facilitating movement between different test stations. For example, in the test of a batch of 10kV pulse power supplies, P6015A completed the test of 50 modules quickly, with a pass rate of 98%, and the test efficiency is 30% higher than that of traditional probes.

(III) Comparative Analysis: Differences from Other Models in the Series Highlight the Extra-High Voltage Positioning

To show the positioning of P6015A more clearly, we can compare it with other models in the same Tektronix series, including P5100A, TPP0850, P5122 and P5150, to clarify its irreplaceability in "extra-high voltage scenarios":

It can be seen from the comparison:

    ■If your requirement is "high-frequency medium and high voltage testing below 2.5kV" (such as high-frequency switching power supplies with 500MHz bandwidth), P5100A or TPP0850 is more suitable;

    ■If your requirement is "medium-voltage isolated measurement" (for use with TPS2000 oscilloscopes), P5122 or P5150 is more suitable;

    ■However, for any "ultra-high voltage measurement above 2.5kV", whether in DC or pulse scenarios, P6015A is the only choice — its ultra-high voltage rating, maintenance-free dielectric and wide compatibility make it an irreplaceable model in the ultra-high voltage field.

3. Guided Connection

If you are facing challenges in ultra-high voltage equipment testing — whether you need to measure DC voltage above 10kV, capture transient pulse signals below 40kV, or are looking for a maintenance-free ultra-high voltage probe compatible with your existing oscilloscope — please feel free to contact us. Based on your specific test scenarios (such as the type of DUT, voltage range, oscilloscope model, accuracy requirements), we can provide you with P6015A selection suggestions, calibration service solutions and accessory matching guidance, helping you complete ultra-high voltage measurement tasks safely and accurately.

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