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m463

this picture is worth 987 words:

https://circuitcellar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/343-Lac...

although these 13 words help it get to 1000:

"An example of a quite exotic old probe, a 40-kV rated Tektronix P6015"

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Using that thing must be quite a hair-raising experience.

(The "Z0" probe idea is great, though, I shall have to remember that one)

I’ve used the similar Fluke 80K-40 a number of times up to 20 kVrms. The arcing is always concerning, but it’s surprising how safe it feels to hold.

Unfortunately, it is not going to help your scope a bit if you make a short when connecting ground...

Most things that put off enough voltage to require one of those probes arc through air at that distance. If it's close enough for a clusmy person to short something, it's already either blown up or the insulation is thick enough to withstand some awkward poking with a probe (or its submerged in an oil or other nonpolar solvent).

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