Oscilloscope and High-Voltage Probe Facilitate Motor Drive Design

High-voltage measurements are a common requirement during the design of switching power supplies, motor controllers, power distribution systems, and more. Many general-purpose oscilloscopes, when equipped with suitable probes, are well qualified to handle high-voltage measurements. The Tektronix TDS 360 is a cost-effective 200 MHz Digital Real-Time scope aimed at design, manufacturing, and service applications. This application note explains the use of the TDS 360 and the P5100 High-Voltage Passive Probe in designing a motor drive cell. The Unit-Under-Test (UUT) is part of a motor drive system from Robicon, Inc., a leading provider of conventional and harmonic drives for high-power AC electric motors. The drives are widely used in oil derrick and liquid waste pumping systems, air conditioning equipment, etc.