A basic robustness test I’ve seen Dave use a couple of times is to put mains 240VAC into whatever mode the mode switch can be placed in, perhaps for a couple of seconds or so. I do my damndest trying to avoid doing a “mistake” like that. But still not an unreasonable test to do and see if the meter survives. So in this scenario the meters clamps, PTC’s and other input series resistors have to cope with the stress resulting from about 340V peak to peak, there can of course be some nasty overlayed transients on top of that but unless you’re monitoring the VAC with a scope you have no clue if this is the case.
Anyway, I can’t really remember if Dave also did this test on the 121gw, but I think so, in its original configuration anyway with the 4007‘s. But has he also done it with the new clamp configuration i.e. to show that it’s just as robust as it was before. If it isn't perhaps mentioning this in the next user manual revision is a good idea.
Yes, done that (245VAC) countless times on every design variant.
I also do +/-1100V DC and 1100V AC as well, but both of my high voltage supplies will go into current limit mode when the meter is on the ohms range.
Survives all this just fine.
No not really...
I’m just perplexed, like I think many 121gw owners are. Mostly perhaps as you mentioned by the lack of information.
And just to be clear I’m not trying to put any blame on Dave, I’ve no idea what deal he has with UEi, but I got a feeling he’s not really in a position to put any pressure on them or is free to release information as he pleases. And this seems to leave quite a gap between 121gw users and the manufacture.
But I am interested in what clamping solution can be used instead of the leaky 4007's. Perhaps specially selected TVS diodes could be an option after all.
No not really...
I’m just perplexed, like I think many 121gw owners are. Mostly perhaps as you mentioned by the lack of information.
And just to be clear I’m not trying to put any blame on Dave, I’ve no idea what deal he has with UEi, but I got a feeling he’s not really in a position to put any pressure on them or is free to release information as he pleases. And this seems to leave quite a gap between 121gw users and the manufacture.
But I am interested in what clamping solution can be used instead of the leaky 4007's. Perhaps specially selected TVS diodes could be an option after all.
probably dave cannot control that meter development at all and after all it is just a UEi meter with EEVBLOG logo sticking on it to make people belive that it is dave who designed it.. cmiiw
I had looked up the Intertek cert. Looks like more than UEi are involved.
I had looked up the Intertek cert. Looks like more than UEi are involved.
Kane own UEi and Finest.
The meter was designed and is manufactured by Finest in South Korea. UEi is basically the US brand they bought in 1992, and Finest is the Asian brand they recently acquired.
But with the 121gw and how it was presented I always got the impression UEi was the actual manufacture and responsible for the FW updates. But of course doesn’t really matter. But it would be interesting to know if the KS meters and the 121gw that's being sold now were manufactured in the same factories.
But with the 121gw and how it was presented I always got the impression UEi was the actual manufacture and responsible for the FW updates. But of course doesn’t really matter. But it would be interesting to know if the KS meters and the 121gw that's being sold now were manufactured in the same factories.
Yes, same factory.
I'm not sure why the fuss over this. Companies in this sort of industry often have lots of complex relationships with part ownerships and branding etc.
I can assure you that the design and manufacturing has always been and is still done in South Korea by (formally) Finest (Fine Instrument Co) who is now wholly owned by Kane Test. They don't really use the finest brand any more that I am aware of, legally it's "Kane Asia" and that's who my purchase orders go to.
http://kanetest.co.kr/contact/
My point of contact for the design is the former CEO of Finest Instruments who now works for Kane Asia.
UEi are also another brand of Kane Test, and that is the brand they wanted associated with publicly for the project from day one, but that's the extent of "UEi" involvement with this project.
A lot of UEi stuff used Finest as the OEM, while other UEi stuff is designed and made in the USA.
If you want to go deeper down the rabbit whole, Klein Tools owned (or did own?) 50% of UEi, and that's actually how this whole thing started, I was talking to the head designer at Klein tools and down the rabbit whole it went to eventually Finest. They are all intertwined.
No fuss. Just curious what their factory looked like to see what sort of capabilities they have.
The APP works 1/2 second, and closes immediately?
@DavidWC also any chance you'd be able to create a MacOS app for logging?
The ability to capture Logs is a must in your no doubt vast quantities of 'spare time'
Also important will be the ability to clear the data from the log or trigger a start of logging. Not sure what is possible but maybe even optional logging against the devices clock instead of the meters?
The pinch zoom vertically works fairly well but having the option or being able to show from the start of logging stay on screen would be great too rather than continual scrolling. That is assuming I didn't find a pinch zoom for that option that already exists?