Bunch of keysight U1252B meters around

[mtdoc]

I just received my second one of these meters. Unfortunately this one appears to be defective. AC voltage readings are wildly incorrect. I've initiated a return or exchange on eBay.

FWIW, the first one of these meters I purchased several months ago continues to perform flawlessly.

[-jeffB]

I apparently missed this batch by a few minutes.  I was getting ready to arrange my payment method when I got notification that it was no longer available, about half an hour ago. Up until the last minute, the auction still showed "more than 10 available".

[hendorog]

I apparently missed this batch by a few minutes.  I was getting ready to arrange my payment method when I got notification that it was no longer available, about half an hour ago. Up until the last minute, the auction still showed "more than 10 available".

Looks like it's been pulled, so maybe will return.

I got a couple of these from the previous batch for $190. Shame the exchange rate isn't what it used to be.
I put one of mine up on www.trademe.co.nz (local auction site). It's currently sitting well below what it cost and is past reserve - so someone (else) might get lucky...

Ordered an 1177A yesterday from RS for the one I'm keeping, and it arrived this morning.
Very simple to setup on Android and PC (ignoring the huge download required of course)

[Fraser]

My 1177A BT adapter arrived from Rapid(UK) a few minutes ago. Now I just need the meter 

Fraser

[Fraser]

In case anyone is interested, I attach the FCC internal pictures of the U1117A IR BT module (2AC-WAU1117A )

Interestingly the FCC ID of 2AC-WAU1177A comes up as not found on the FCC database. A bit weird as it should be there.

Fraser

[HighVoltage]

So, they are using some kind of OEM BT module on the U1117A?
May be that module has a different FCC release number?

[FlyingHacker]

Continuity tester on the U1252B is terrible compared to the Fluke - even with Fluke probes (I tried).

Turn off auto ranging & leave it on the \$ 500 \Omega \$ range

Yes, better, but no where near as good as a Fluke, or my keithley 2100. Those two will catch anything when you drag your probes across stuff. I found the Keysight was not beeping if I quickly raked the (Probemaster) probes across the pins on a connector I was wiring up. I had to go more slowly.

That said, I would rather use the Keysight than the 87V for any other task. Though I really like bench meters for bench use. no batteries to fuss with, etc.  and my Fluke 8100B Nixie tube bench meter is tough to beat for size and readability of display!

[richnormand]

Well, OK, hmmm, I admit I got one too. Excellent meter for the price.


There has been a few comments in this thread about the Bluetooth attachment and some mention of the IR usb link for the U1252B.

Hope this might be useful for some that have a good  "junk" box to make an IR to USB adapter. I came around this website:
https://www.medo64.com/agir/

Since it looked like I had most of the components or close equivalents around and I was just putting an order to my pcb maker so I included his board also.
The wooden part is made from 1/4" flooring plywood and it is a friction fit as shown in the photo and is quite secure.

Downloaded the Keysight software and all is good.

I find the "talk" option very useful while under the binocular microscope while probing a circuit as I do not have to remove my eyes from it.

 
 

[bsudbrink]

Did anyone else order one of these the last time the lot was up on ebay (around May 16th)?  Do you have yours yet?

[bitseeker]

Heads up, there are more meters coming. nmori told me that he has a few U1252B left and will be listing new-old stock of U1252A and U1253A (i.e., the blue versions). The specs of the A version are almost identical to the B, but the A has higher input impedance and higher frequency sensitivity on AC and AC+DC. The U1252A also includes a carrying case, unlike the U1252B.

Here's a comparison datasheet that has both the A and B series on it in case you're curious: http://manualzz.com/doc/15034034/datasheet-for-u1252b-50000-count-handheld-dmm

He said that the calibrations on the A are from 2013 and earlier.


Updating with links:

 - U1252B (orange, LCD): http://www.ebay.com/itm/292140659554

 - U1252A (blue, LCD): http://www.ebay.com/itm/292147737467

 - U1253A (blue, OLED): http://www.ebay.com/itm/292147735479

Disclaimer: These are not my listings nor inventory. I'm just a fellow purchaser.

[PTR_1275]

They're listed here

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/292140659554

Looking through the specs, the U1252A model came with the carry case and some extra leads (smt grabbers). I hope the ones he has come with those bits

[bitseeker]

PTR: Note that that listing is for the U1252B. The A versions aren't up yet.

Yes, he said that the U1252A he has comes with the carrying case and the U1253A has extra leads. I don't know if the U1252A has the grabbers that are in the comparison table. I'd assume so, but it'd be best to ask him.

[cncjerry]

I see someone is trying to sell one locally on Craig's list for $370USD.  I'll bet it was purchased from ebay. 

[bitseeker]

I wouldn't be surprised. That's a healthy margin. Then again, I constantly see people selling the free Harbor Freight DMMs on Craigslist for $3 - 20.

[bsudbrink]

Mine finally arrived today.  Cal 12/2011.  Oldest I see in this thread.  The whole thing has a slightly "musty basement" smell.  It will air out I'm sure and there is no evidence of water damage on the box but the staples in the quick start guide are very rusted which worries me a little.  Minimal check shows correct operation for AC and DC volts, Ohms and continuity. Battery had 70 percent charge and quickly charged up to full.  In about 20 minutes of fooling around (a good bit with the backlight on) it has discharged to 75 percent.  Serial number MY514...

[damn_dirty_ape]

I just ordered one.  This is going to be the first piece of equipment that cost me over 100 bucks, hopefully it's worth it

[bitseeker]

I suppose that depends on what you're using it for and what your expectations are as compared to a meter that's less than $100. For example, if a $20 DMM does everything you need it to, then a $200 one (that was $400+ retail) may not be worth it.

[damn_dirty_ape]

The meter I have no doesn't measure low resistance values, so I'm sure this one will do a lot better.  The spec sheet says it has a resolution of 10 mOhms, I'm not sure if that means it can measure down that far, but if it can do 10ths of an ohm I'll be happy.  The square waveform generator might come in handy as well 

[tooki]

The meter I have no doesn't measure low resistance values, so I'm sure this one will do a lot better.  The spec sheet says it has a resolution of 10 mOhms, I'm not sure if that means it can measure down that far, but if it can do 10ths of an ohm I'll be happy.  The square waveform generator might come in handy as well 

What do you think resolution means? (Not being flippant, honestly just making sure it means what you think it means.)

Even my $6 eBay cheapie does 1/10 ohms (100mOhm). The U1252 does 10mOhm, i.e. it measures down to 1/100 ohms. So you can measure a resistance from zero up to 510 ohms and see its resistance in 1/100ths of an ohm. Of course, you have to zero out test lead resistance for that to be useful, since test leads can be anywhere from a few mOhm to over an ohm on crappy ones, or if you're using a crappy breadboard to hold the DUT.

[damn_dirty_ape]

I want to be able to measure very low resistances.  I don't have the money for something that does 4 wire, which I think is needed to get good results at really low levels.  Please let me know if I'm wrong about this

[tooki]

I've already answered that question, but I don't think you understood the answer.

What do you consider a "very low resistance"?

[damn_dirty_ape]

My idea of low resistance would be 0.01 ohms.  I know the spec sheet says that is the resolution, but I wasn't sure if there is some kind of floor that it can't get under because it is only two wire.  Really, if I can get  under a couple tenths of an ohm I will be happy.

[tooki]

If you want to measure a 0.01 ohm resistor, then this meter won't do it. The potential error of the meter is larger than the thing you want to measure.

If you want to measure a 10 ohm resistor in 0.01 ohm steps, then this meter will do it just fine, provided you don't need to know exactly. (Will it tell you that, for example, one 10 ohm resistor is 0.03 ohms higher resistance than another? Yes. But you won't know the absolute value to anything more than the tolerance of the meter.)


See why I asked you if you understand resolution? Your questions are telling me that you don't. (Not trying to be rude, just to educate.)

[damn_dirty_ape]

Please educate this dumb dirty ape, tooki.  What is the error of this meter?  I read the spec sheet that says 0.05+10 in the 500 ohm range, which should be .05% but I don't get the +10 part.  Can this meter measure 0.1 ohms accurately?

[grumpydoc]

Can this meter measure 0.1 ohms accurately?

Not very

Even if it were perfect the resolution is 10milli ohms

That is, 500 ohms is displayed as 500.00 ohms, so the value is displayed in 0.01 ohm steps.

So if you are trying to measure 0.1 ohms it can only do so to a precision of 10% of the value.

The +10 on the precision means that the value displayed is accurate to 0.05% but also +/- 10 counts - i.e the last digit is unreliable.

So, that really means you can only rely on the 500.0 part of the display

Now the precision for your 0.1 ohm resistor is effectively 100% - it could reasonably display anything from 0.0 ohms to 0.2 ohms for that 0.1ohm resistor and still be "in spec"

HTH