HP 16034 LCR SMD Test Fixture eBay clones

[benj38]

I was wondering if anybody has any experience with the clones of the HP 16034x LCR SMD test fixture.
For example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/316436967944

The cost of an original fixture from Keysight, even used on eBay, is quite impressive, and truly hard to justify for an occasional hobby use.

[mawyatt]

Yes, here's a couple.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/lcr-smd-fixture-modification/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/different-type-lcr-smd-fixture/msg5061028/#msg5061028

This one from AliX "appears" to be the better build quality. Note the 4 BNC Levers and top cover side mounting bolts. We have both from long ago and have shown some details in the above links.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808516332326.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.5.7a24lwQ9lwQ9C4&algo_pvid=d98eae80-8062-48f7-a376-70f0c9dbd1b9&algo_exp_id=d98eae80-8062-48f7-a376-70f0c9dbd1b9-4&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%22-1%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%7D&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2176.05%2176.05%21%21%21549.88%21549.88%21%402103247017429372941266549e45e6%2112000046310916409%21sea%21US%212016305281%21X&curPageLogUid=ynBLjUzLxQTN&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

Also note, we modified one to allow External DC Bias for the SMD DUT.

Agree those HP Adapters are expensive, so are the similar ones from Tonghui or Hioki. Same for the old Tek 177 Standoff Fixtures for the Tek 577 Curve Tracer. Why we decided the DIY route for the Tek Adapters and modded cheap clones for the HP Adapter.

Best

[Conrad Hoffman]

We have the $2300 HP fixture at work and from the pictures on eBay I can't believe the performance would be much different with the $73 unit. What you'd really like to see is a view with the cover removed to see how they shielded the two sides.

[mawyatt]

We've had good results with the clone fixtures (after modifying) with higher Z components. For low Z work consider something like mentioned above.

The clone fixtures bring the Force and Sense (Hcur, Lcur and Hpot, Lpot) leads thru the BNCs and tied together at the bottom of the Plungers with thin threaded brass bolts. So the 4 wire Kelvin connection ends there and the plunger and tip are not Kelvin sensed. There is also considerable variation in SMD contact resistance which creates more uncertainty even when a Zero Calibration is performed. These clone fixtures work OK for higher Z components, but not as good with low Z as we've found, and why we developed the custom LCR Fixtures mentioned.

Best