Electronics > Repair

HP34401A: Just bought one. Do I need to change the caps?

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TheSteve:
It wouldn't hurt to replace them due to age. The don't work very hard though as the power supply isn't of the switching variety so it's far from mandatory.

coppercone2:
I have a 34401A that was on constantly for maybe a decade or two and there are no problems with it other then the display (was part of a physics setup for logging something). (they got it when it was state of the art and replaced it with a 7.5 digit meter that fits the same form factor IIRC).

Installed in lab ~1992-1998 (unknown, probobly early on given how expensive everything else there was, it had to be gotten when it was state of the art for the size) and acquired by me on 2013 and used till 2021 and.. its chugging just fine. did not even think about replacing caps, but maybe I should

sahko123:
id say if it operates normally there's no need if its getting hot when operating then maybe change them preventatively, otherwise should be alright.

coppercone2:
yeah I think some of the dead ones have to do with it being wedged in between a cube of linear supplies like a hot dog in a bun

tkamiya:
My simple policy is "do no harm."  If there is a leakage or other obvious signs of degradation such as domed top or something, I'd leave it alone.  I went through quite a few dozens of test equipment, HP34401A included.  It's actually quite rare for me to find damaged caps.  I see BBQ'd registers and burned PCB far more than that.

PCB on most of recent test gear contains 6 layers or more PCB.  "Just" trying to remove and replace a cap can end up far more task intensive than you've ever planned on doing.

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