Re: Tektronix plug-in interchangeability

From: mike (spamme0_at_juno.com)
Date: 10/09/04 

Date: Sat, 09 Oct 2004 02:26:04 -0700

Norm Dresner wrote:
> "mike" <spamme0@juno.com> wrote in message news:41675D48.9000300@juno.com...
>
>>Norm Dresner wrote:
>>
>>>Does anyone have a URL for, or direct knowledge of, information on the
>>>interchangeability of various Tektronix plug-in series?
>>>
>>>I own a TM504 mainframe and a couple of plug-ins. I've also found a
>>
> virgin,
>
>>>blank plug-in for DIY construction. I also see a very wide range of
>>
> plug-in
>
>>>series, 5Lxx and 7Lxx come to mind which I believe are for the 5000 &
>>
> 7000
>
>>>oscilloscope mainframes (but I'm really not sure). Do any of these
>>
> plug-ins
>
>>>either electrically or mechanically fit the 50x mainframes?
>>>
>>>TIA
>>> Norm
>>>
>>
>>The short answer is no.
>>
>>The 5000 series scopes and the TM500 use the same mechanical package.
>>They're keyed so they won't interchange, but the keys are plastic and
>>they wear on the fiberglass board and eventually break, defeating the
>>key. If you cross plug the series, you'll make a LOT of smoke.
>>
>>The 5000 and 7000 series scopes have some interface similarities.
>>The power supply voltages are different.
>>I once considered making an adapter to make a 5CT1 into a 7CT1.
>>Needed voltage regulators in the adapter.
>>A 576 fell into my lap, so the project got aborted.
>>mike
>>
>>--
>
>
> As long as the 5000 series plug-ins will mechanically fit the TM50x
> mainframe, I have a source for cheap "blanks" in which I can make a bunch of
> things I need ... I paid almost as much for the blank kit I bought last week
> as I have for some of the plug-ins.
>
> Are the 7xxx packages mechanically similar to the 5xx ones?

Well....they're both rectangular. 5xxx is smaller and shorter.
Different connectors.

>
> Thanks to everyone for the info.
>
> Norm
>

It's been a long time and all my 5000 scope stuff has gone to dumpster
heaven.
As I recall, the metal parts are identical. The connector is identical.
But the wiring of the connectors is NOT.
The blank TM500 plugin in my hand has only two connections tied
together. Don't think I've ever seen a scope blank. There was a
minimalist 5000 scope plugin with the scope interface and power supplies.

Be sure to check that it's compatible with what you're plugging it into.
5000 scope has regulated supplies.
The TM500 has two floating transformer windings and three
high current unregulated power supplies tied to each hole. Get that
wired wrong and you can have a nice campfire in your lab.

Also be aware that there are a lot of gotchas building TM500 plugins.
The power supply is rated at 33V, but the trough voltage at low line
and high load is 22V as I recall. At high line, the peak voltage
at light load is higher than a 3-terminal regulator can take. And this
doesn't consider line transients above that.
The plugin is rated for 15W total dissipation...on a good day...but
it's gonna get really toasty.

The mainframe transistors can easily be overheated if you're not
careful. Don't assume infinite heat sink when calculating power
dissipation. Protect the mainframe transistors. When they short,
they usually blow up your plugin...and the next one you stick in cause
the first one quit. Hot plugging is a good way to smoke the transistors.

I've bought a bunch of TM500 mainframes. They ALWAYS had at least one
weak or bad mainframe transistor. Check 'em before you plug in anything
important.

mike 

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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Tektronix plug-in interchangeability
    ... > as I have for some of the plug-ins. ... Don't think I've ever seen a scope blank. ... minimalist 5000 scope plugin with the scope interface and power supplies. ... The mainframe transistors can easily be overheated if you're not ...
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  • Re: Tektronix plug-in interchangeability
    ... > as I have for some of the plug-ins. ... Don't think I've ever seen a scope blank. ... minimalist 5000 scope plugin with the scope interface and power supplies. ... The mainframe transistors can easily be overheated if you're not ...
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  • Re: Tektronix plug-in interchangeability
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    (sci.electronics.misc)
  • Re: Tektronix plug-in interchangeability
    ... Don't think I've ever seen a scope blank. ... 5000 scope has regulated supplies. ... > high current unregulated power supplies tied to each hole. ... Protect the mainframe transistors. ...
    (sci.electronics.repair)
  • Re: Tektronix plug-in interchangeability
    ... Don't think I've ever seen a scope blank. ... 5000 scope has regulated supplies. ... > high current unregulated power supplies tied to each hole. ... Protect the mainframe transistors. ...
    (sci.electronics.equipment)
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