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Scope/Equipment Recommendation for Power Electronics (PE) Person

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Vancouver_Kid:
Hi All,

I'm a PE who's starting to slowly build up my lab. I'm wanting a scope that is suited for PE applications (AC-DC or DC-DC). I'm not really familiar with all the scope brands out there so, with me giving some requirements/specifications I'm hoping the community can help suggest some options given:

* $1000 CAD top end
* I work with fundenmental frequencies of less than 500kHz
* Would like bode plot
* A high point count FFT (given the price range/class)
* Ability to get some power analysis tools
* 12-bit ADC
* Serial/standard communication protocols, I2C, SPI, UART, USB, RS232/485, low speed stuff. No mipi buses here...
* I would like to be able to capture SiC/GaN transition times, but, that may be asking too much given the price limitation. Thoughts?
* Waveform capture rate, memory depth, sampling rate, I don't know what would be considered best in class these days given the price range but seeing some options would be great
* Some suggestions for high voltage diff probes given the frequencies
* The stuff I work on will most likely be 450VDC or less, that number is being driven by PFC output spec's
* What rogowski coils are people using for TO220's (between the legs)? or
My own research for scopes led to here: https://siglentna.com/digital-oscilloscopes/sds800x-hd-digital-storage-oscilloscope/

It is very enticing to see the SDS804X HD and how it can be upgraded to the 200MHz version, although even when reading the instructions, I'm a bit confused. For $614 CAD and upgrading to a 200MHz version, the closest Rigol competitor I think would be the DHO924, but that's closer to $950 CAD. Would love to hear more of your opinions between the two given what I'm looking for and also the application. Features I haven't mentioned, etc.


Looking forward to the help and chatting about some options.

Cheers

tautech:

--- Quote from: Vancouver_Kid on December 01, 2024, 09:04:01 pm ---Hi All,

I'm a PE who's starting to slowly build up my lab. I'm wanting a scope that is suited for PE applications (AC-DC or DC-DC). I'm not really familiar with all the scope brands out there so, with me giving some requirements/specifications I'm hoping the community can help suggest some options given:

* $1000 CAD top end
* I work with fundenmental frequencies of less than 500kHz
* Would like bode plot
* A high point count FFT (given the price range/class)
* Ability to get some power analysis tools
* 12-bit ADC
* Serial/standard communication protocols, I2C, SPI, UART, USB, RS232/485, low speed stuff. No mipi buses here...
* I would like to be able to capture SiC/GaN transition times, but, that may be asking too much given the price limitation. Thoughts?
* Waveform capture rate, memory depth, sampling rate, I don't know what would be considered best in class these days given the price range but seeing some options would be great
* Some suggestions for high voltage diff probes given the frequencies
* The stuff I work on will most likely be 450VDC or less, that number is being driven by PFC output spec's
* What rogowski coils are people using for TO220's (between the legs)? or
My own research for scopes led to here: https://siglentna.com/digital-oscilloscopes/sds800x-hd-digital-storage-oscilloscope/

It is very enticing to see the SDS804X HD and how it can be upgraded to the 200MHz version, although even when reading the instructions, I'm a bit confused. For $614 CAD and upgrading to a 200MHz version, the closest Rigol competitor I think would be the DHO924, but that's closer to $950 CAD. Would love to hear more of your opinions between the two given what I'm looking for and also the application. Features I haven't mentioned, etc.


Looking forward to the help and chatting about some options.

Cheers

--- End quote ---
Sound choice.  :-+

A little on the PA option here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/sds804x-hd-vs-sds814x-hd/msg5385836/#msg5385836

Martin72:
Hi,
If screen size is not important, the SDS800 series would be perfect for you.
Siglent's Bodeplot is very well implemented across all model series, and power analysis is also offered.
For the PA, a differential probe and a suitable current clamp are still required.

Vancouver_Kid:

--- Quote from: tautech on December 01, 2024, 10:59:48 pm ---
--- Quote from: Vancouver_Kid on December 01, 2024, 09:04:01 pm ---Hi All,

I'm a PE who's starting to slowly build up my lab. I'm wanting a scope that is suited for PE applications (AC-DC or DC-DC). I'm not really familiar with all the scope brands out there so, with me giving some requirements/specifications I'm hoping the community can help suggest some options given:

* $1000 CAD top end
* I work with fundenmental frequencies of less than 500kHz
* Would like bode plot
* A high point count FFT (given the price range/class)
* Ability to get some power analysis tools
* 12-bit ADC
* Serial/standard communication protocols, I2C, SPI, UART, USB, RS232/485, low speed stuff. No mipi buses here...
* I would like to be able to capture SiC/GaN transition times, but, that may be asking too much given the price limitation. Thoughts?
* Waveform capture rate, memory depth, sampling rate, I don't know what would be considered best in class these days given the price range but seeing some options would be great
* Some suggestions for high voltage diff probes given the frequencies
* The stuff I work on will most likely be 450VDC or less, that number is being driven by PFC output spec's
* What rogowski coils are people using for TO220's (between the legs)? or
My own research for scopes led to here: https://siglentna.com/digital-oscilloscopes/sds800x-hd-digital-storage-oscilloscope/

It is very enticing to see the SDS804X HD and how it can be upgraded to the 200MHz version, although even when reading the instructions, I'm a bit confused. For $614 CAD and upgrading to a 200MHz version, the closest Rigol competitor I think would be the DHO924, but that's closer to $950 CAD. Would love to hear more of your opinions between the two given what I'm looking for and also the application. Features I haven't mentioned, etc.


Looking forward to the help and chatting about some options.

Cheers

--- End quote ---
Sound choice.  :-+

A little on the PA option here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/sds804x-hd-vs-sds814x-hd/msg5385836/#msg5385836

--- End quote ---

Hi, okay good to know I was on the right track. Those two scope brands are ones I'm familiar with, and then there's the more premium brands at work we all most likely use.

What about these guys: GW Instek, Micsig, Owon

I've seen/used some Micsig stuff and for PE's it can be helpful when you make the source the internal battery rather than wall plug, but I haven't really been able to narrow something down within my budget. Know of any models?

GW instek and Owon I see pop up, but never met anyone who uses them so I have zero insight into whether there okay or not. Thoughts?

nctnico:
GW Instek and Micsig make good equipment but not for bottom of the barrel prices. Typically their equipment just works as expected out of the box without needing endless firmware updates.

Yokogawa seems to focus a lot on oscilloscopes for power electronics. But again, way outside your budget.

Owon OTOH is a bottom the barrel brand which might be dissapointing. Oscilloscopes require complex firmware and need quite an investment in developing time & money to get it right.

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