Hioki current probes - the smart solution not only for Hioki instruments
I guess this bunch of engineers don't quite know...
But anyone who has ever measured current using current probes might have an idea - there might be some kind of power supply necessary to power these probes when they are not powered directly from the measuring instrument. And that's whether it's a wattmeter, a datalogger, or most often an oscilloscope. So yes, we admit that this was not too difficult a puzzle for our kind (and informed) reader.
But...
Did you also know that such a source is also a gateway to the world of current measurement with high-end Japanese Hioki probes connected to basically any third-party instrument with matching BNC inputs? If not, read on...
Oscilloscope probes
For broadband measurements up to 120 MHz (depending on the specific model), the 327x and newer CT67xx series probes are designed with measurement sensitivity up to 200 µA. An important milestone in the development of Hioki probes in these series was 1998, when the 3273 model with BNC connector was introduced, making it possible for the first time to connect this probe to oscilloscopes from other manufacturers. Today, you can therefore identify the original design of these probes not only under the Hioki brand, but also from other established manufacturers relying on high reliability and precision workmanship Made in Japan. An overview of the basic parameters of the probes and their power supplies is given in the table below, including links to our e-shop where everything can be ordered online.
| Probe type | frequency band | rated current | compatible Hioki power supply |
| 3273-50 | DC - 50 MHz | 30 Arms | 3269, 3272 |
| 3274 | DC - 10 MHz | 150 Arms | |
| 3275 | DC - 2 MHz | 500 Arms | |
| 3276 | DC - 100 MHz | 30 Arms | |
| CT6700 | DC - 50 MHz | 5 Arms | |
| CT6701 | DC - 120 MHz | 5 Arms | |
| CT6710 | DC - 50 MHz | 0.5/5/30 Arms | 3269 |
| CT6711 | DC - 120 MHz | 0.5/5/30 Arms |
Current probes for measuring electrical power and efficiency
In addition to classical oscilloscope probes, Hioki develops and manufactures a range of current probes for a narrower frequency range, but for measured current up to 2 kA. These probes are primarily intended for Hioki power analyzers (wattmeters) and memory loggers. In conjunction with these instruments, the power supplies from the introduction of this article are not needed - they are powered directly - but again, if you have your own measuring instrument with the appropriate BNC inputs, you can use these load current probes with the additional Hioki power supply.
Hioki offers probes in this category in two versions: current clamps (in Hioki Current Probes terminology) and current sensors (Current Sensors). In both cases, Hioki achieves very high measurement accuracies, although of course for the most demanding applications - where technically feasible - it is necessary to use draft sensors for order of magnitude more accurate measurements. The table below again gives an overview of the available probes and their basic parameters, including their dedicated sources.
| Probe type | design | frequency band | rated current | compatible Hioki power supply |
| 9272-05 | clamp-on | 1 Hz - 100 kHz | 20/200 Arms | CT9555, CT9556, CT9557* |
| CT6830 | DC - 100 kHz | 2 Arms | ||
| CT6831 | DC - 100 kHz | 20 Arms | ||
| CT6833 | DC - 50 kHz | 200 Arms | ||
| CT6834 | DC - 50 kHz | 500 Arms | ||
| CT6841A | DC - 2 MHz | 20 Arms | ||
| CT6843A | DC - 700 kHz | 200 Arms | ||
| CT6844A | DC - 500 kHz | 500 Arms | ||
| CT6845A | DC - 200 kHz | 500 Arms | ||
| CT6846A | DC - 100 kHz | 1000 Arms | ||
| CT6862-05 | Draft | DC - 1 MHz | 50 Arms | |
| CT6863-05 | DC - 500 kHz | 200 Arms | ||
| CT6872 | DC - 10 MHz | 50 Arms | ||
| CT6873 | DC - 10 MHz | 200 Arms | ||
| CT6875A | DC - 2 MHz | 500 Arms | ||
| CT6876A | DC - 1.5 MHz | 1000 Arms | ||
| CT6877A | DC - 1 MHz | 2000 Arms | ||
| CT6904A | DC - 4 MHz | 500 Arms |
* for connection to a measuring instrument outside of dedicated Hioki products we recommend a genuine Hioki BNC cable
