Philips PM3055 50 MHz, some questions

• Philips PM3055 50 MHz, some questions
  Posted by Ridocar on 18 Dec, 2017 10:26
• Hi,
  
  Here's a new PM3055 owner. Although, i've got the 50 MHz version. It works well, but needs calibration.
  Luckily i've found some manuals (both user and maintanance), so this should be easy. But i've still got some questions.
  
  Does anyone know the technical difference between the 60 and 50 MHz? I couldn't find this info anywhere. The manuals are all about the 60 MHz, and i don't want to screw things up because of differences between those scopes.
  Some parts are very brittle, they break off by even looking at them. Can i get some spare case-parts anywhere?
  
  Thanks.
• #1 Reply
  Posted by oldway on 18 Dec, 2017 18:47
• Hello and welcome to the forum.
  
  To calibrate a device, you need precision instruments. Have you got some ?
  
  An analog oscilloscope is not a high precision measuring device, it is very rare that it requires calibration.
  
  If you are not a specialist, do not touch the adjustments, you risk doing worse than it is.
  
  If it works, use it as it is.
  If something is totally wrong, it's probably a failure, not a calibration problem.
  
  For plastic parts of Philips oscilloscopes, it is true that they become brittle like glass .... No solutions for that because these parts are not manufactured for many years ....
  
  You can always try to ask for parts on the Dutch forum :
  
  https://www.circuitsonline.net/
  
  Philips oscilloscopes were manufactured in Holland, (Eindhoven) and it is then easier to find parts in this country.
  
• #2 Reply
  Posted by bd139 on 18 Dec, 2017 19:01
• Bit of preventative maintenance: replace the RIFA X2 (gold coloured) caps in the power supply before it blows up. It is 100% certain that it will blow up and will make a pretty bad mess of the scope and fill your room with smoke which takes hours to go away. Every bit of Philips kit I’ve had from that era has either blown those caps or they are cracked and running hot.
  
  
• #3 Reply
  Posted by oldway on 18 Dec, 2017 19:11
• If you are 100% sure your scope need a calibration, ask for help with somebody who knows what he is doing....
  In Holland, see here : (he is member of this forum)
  http://schneiderelectronicsrepair.nl/
• #4 Reply
  Posted by HighVoltage on 18 Dec, 2017 19:29
• I have a couple of these scopes in the field with customers and every year I need to do a required calibration to fulfill ISO requirements for this client.
  
  However, I never had to do any adjustments on a PM3055.
  After they are warmed up, they are usually spot on, even after years of service.
  
• #5 Reply
  Posted by Ridocar on 19 Dec, 2017 13:07
• Quote from: oldway on 18 Dec, 2017 18:47

  Hello and welcome to the forum.
  

  Thanks.
  

  Quote

  To calibrate a device, you need precision instruments. Have you got some ?
  

  Nope, no precision instruments, just a bunch of multimeters. (none of them are calibrated)
  

  Quote

  An analog oscilloscope is not a high precision measuring device, it is very rare that it requires calibration.
  
  If you are not a specialist, do not touch the adjustments, you risk doing worse than it is.
  
  If it works, use it as it is.
  If something is totally wrong, it's probably a failure, not a calibration problem.
  

  Got it. It's not that the measurements are rally off, i just want to know if it's worth finetuning the scope. But i'll leave it just as it is. it's working fine at this point.
  

  Quote

  
  For plastic parts of Philips oscilloscopes, it is true that they become brittle like glass .... No solutions for that because these parts are not manufactured for many years ....
  
  You can always try to ask for parts on the Dutch forum :
  
  https://www.circuitsonline.net/
  
  Philips oscilloscopes were manufactured in Holland, (Eindhoven) and it is then easier to find parts in this country.
  

  I'll take a look over there. maybe it's worth replacing the front panel...if i can find one.
• #6 Reply
  Posted by Ridocar on 19 Dec, 2017 13:11
• Quote from: bd139 on 18 Dec, 2017 19:01

  Bit of preventative maintenance: replace the RIFA X2 (gold coloured) caps in the power supply before it blows up. It is 100% certain that it will blow up and will make a pretty bad mess of the scope and fill your room with smoke which takes hours to go away. Every bit of Philips kit I’ve had from that era has either blown those caps or they are cracked and running hot.
  

  I saw another topic about those caps, took a peek inside my scope and yep, there are some cracks in them. They need replacement, that's for sure. Good reminder.