5.6.4. Oscilloscope Probe Families

The most basic differentiator between probe types lies in the voltage ranges being measured. For example, millivolt, volt, and kilovolt measurements typically require probes with different attenuation factors, such as X1, X10, and X100. There are also many cases in which the signal voltages are differential, whereby the signal exists across two points or two wires, neither of which is at ground or common potential. See Figure 5-14.

Figure 5-14. Single-ended signals are referenced to ground (part a), and differential signals are the difference between two signal lines or test points (part b).