Oscilloscope probe having stored probe identification

摘要

An electrical probe (10) is provided for use with an electrical instrument, such as an oscilloscope (12). The probe (10) includes a probe body (20), a sensing element (30) affixed to the probe body for sensing an electrical parameter and a storage device (32) containing probe information that uniquely identifies the probe. The probe information is electronically transferred from the storage device (32) to the electrical instrument when the probe is connected to the electrical instrument. The electrical instrument stores calibration information (46) that is associated with the probe. The electrical instrument uses the probe information received from the storage device (32) in the probe to access (122) the associated calibration information. The accessed calibration information is used to calibrate (130) measurements made with the probe.