what is the deal with DC shorts and offset

[mendip_discovery]

To ensure the rather expensive accessory you bought is only used on the right machine and the right way up, and isn't plugged into the rather expensive calibrator, etc.

[Kean]

To ensure the rather expensive accessory you bought is only used on the right machine and the right way up, and isn't plugged into the rather expensive calibrator, etc.

Sounds reasonable, but I suspect the connector housing was just designed to be general purpose and so it also incorporated the current input.
It does have a hole for a cable to exit, although that is normally covered by the name plate.

[laichh]

It is for current measurement, indicated by the letter next to the pin.

[Kean]

It is for current measurement, indicated by the letter next to the pin.

Well not when it is built as a 34172A/B which is purely intended as a calibration short.

As I mention the connector housing was likely also intended for other purposes, and thus they labelled the 5th pin as "I" to match the current input.
Maybe someone has seen a cable from HPAK using this as a connector?

[laichh]

If you observe carefully, the 34172A/B is essentially a sticker covering the recessed text [34171A/B] & the hole in the middle. Removing the sticker will reveal the text & hole hiding below it.

[KungFuJosh]

So the extra pin is a training wheel for idiots?

[TERRA Operative]

Don't worry, a better idiot is already being worked on to mitigate this interference.


In reality, I'd say it's easier and cheaper production and inventory-wise to just use the same underlying part.