Pico Technology has unveiled the PicoBNC+ NVH diagnostics probes and kits consisting of a new microphone (TA572), three-axis accelerometer (TA573), and extension lead (TA574).
Designed for locating and identifying sources of unwanted noise and vibration in vehicles, vessels, plant, and rotating machinery, the probes connect to PicoScope oscilloscopes via the PicoBNC+ interface, which provides automatic probe recognition and reduces set-up time. They are available in Starter, Standard and Advanced kit configurations for automotive, commercial, construction, agricultural, marine and other field service technicians who want to diagnose NVH faults.
From worn bearings, failing joints, suspension faults and powertrain imbalances, unwanted noise and vibration can cause expensive damage, warranty disputes, and operator dissatisfaction if left undiagnosed. The diagnostic challenge is that NVH faults are often difficult to locate, with traditional approaches requiring multiple tests to diagnose a fault. Between test cycles, technicians must manually reconfigure probes and software settings, adding delays and increasing the risks of both configuration errors and inter-test variability that undermine results.
The PicoBNC+ NVH three-axis accelerometer captures fore-aft, lateral and vertical vibration through a single PicoScope channel. With four accelerometers and a four-channel PicoScope, a technician can capture 12 axes of vibration data in one test, enough to cover all four corners of a vehicle in a single road test. The same flexibility supports multi-point test configurations on rotating machinery and more complex powertrains. In addition, PicoScope’s automatic PicoBNC+ probe recognition reduces software set-up time by identifying each probe on connection and applying the correct settings, removing the need to enter probe type or sensitivity values manually and eliminating a common source of configuration error. The probes also offer lower noise and improved measurement repeatability compared to the BNC-connected NVH probes, giving technicians greater confidence in their results. The probes also have no batteries, so they require no servicing.
The TA574 PicoBNC+ extension lead is designed to extend the reach of the NVH probes. It is also compatible with the 3 m PicoBNC+ x1 test leads (TA404–TA407), PicoBNC+ current clamps and the PicoBNC+ 1400 V differential probe, giving technicians further diagnostic options when working on longer vehicles, machinery, equipment, or vessels. The extension leads are not intended for use with passive attenuating probes or 5 m PicoBNC+ extension leads (TA475–TA478).
Barnaby Donohew PhD, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Pico Technology, said: “With the previous NVH probes, covering a four-corner vehicle configuration meant multiple test cycles and manual setup between each one. The new probes reduce that to a single test, with automatic recognition removing the configuration step entirely.”
