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Probe Setup and Use

This section explains probe hardware, how to wire probes to your current source, and how to position and contact a probe against your device under test (DUT). It applies to probes used with EZ500 and NT200 Series Microsanj systems.

Probe Parts

Each probe assembly consists of the following parts:

  • X, Y, Z control knobs – fine-positioning controls used to move the probe tip in three axes
  • Probe arm – the body of the probe assembly connecting the control knobs to the probe tip
  • Probe tip – the fine point that makes electrical contact with the DUT
  • Magnetic plate – the base of the probe assembly, which magnetically holds the probe to the (ferrous) probe station surface
  • Probe BNC – the BNC connector at the end of the probe cable used to connect the probe to the current source

[diagram/image in source — not reproduced here: labeled photo of a probe assembly showing the X/Y/Z control knobs, probe arm, probe tip, magnetic plate, and probe BNC connector]

BNC Connectors

The Probe BNC connector carries two conductor paths:

  1. Center conductor — goes to the probe tip
  2. Shield/ground — goes to shield/GND

To wire a probe to a current source, you will typically need one or more BNC-to-banana adapters, since current sources commonly terminate in banana jacks rather than BNC connectors. The source material shows the following adapter types used in various combinations:

  • Female BNC to Male Banana
  • Male BNC to T-Splitter
  • Male BNC to Female Banana
  • Female BNC to Single Male Banana

On the probe side, the BNC connector's center conductor (probe tip / positive) and shield (GND / negative) are wired using these adapters to the current source's positive and negative terminals.

[diagram/image in source — not reproduced here: photos of each BNC/banana adapter type with pin callouts]

Connecting Probes to Current Source

Connect the probe to your current source using BNC-to-banana adapters:

  1. Connect the current source's negative terminal to the shield/GND path of the probe BNC connector, using a Female BNC-to-Male Banana adapter (or equivalent).
  2. Connect the current source's positive terminal to the probe tip path of the probe BNC connector, using the appropriate BNC/banana adapter and, where needed, a Male BNC T-splitter to combine connections.
  3. Confirm polarity at the probe BNC connector before applying current: the center conductor path corresponds to the probe tip (positive), and the shield path corresponds to GND (negative).

[diagram/image in source — not reproduced here: two wiring diagrams showing negative/positive terminal connections through banana-to-BNC adapters and a T-splitter to the probe BNC connector]

Probe Positioning

Position the probe on the probe station before bringing it near the DUT:

  1. Center the travel range of the X, Y, and Z controls, then place the probe onto the probe station.
  2. Tilt the probe to the side so that only the edge of the magnetic plate is touching the probe station.
  3. Slide the probe along the probe station and position it so the probe tip is close to the area on the DUT you wish to test.

[diagram/image in source — not reproduced here: three-step illustration of probe placement and sliding on the probe station]

Contacting the Probe to the DUT

Once the probe tip is positioned near the DUT:

  1. Touch the probe tip to the area of interest using the X, Y, and Z controls.

CAUTION: Go slow and watch the probe tip carefully. Once contact is made, damage can occur quickly.

[diagram/image in source — not reproduced here: diagram of probe tip contacting the DUT with polarity (-/+) marked]

EZ500 Probe Station Probe Connections

The source material includes an additional reference diagram showing probe connections on an EZ500 probe station, with two probes contacting a DUT (marked with – and + polarity).

[diagram/image in source — not reproduced here: EZ500 probe station photo with probe connections and DUT polarity labeled]