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SSA2021X - 20 dB attenuator sufficient?

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markone:
I'm also interested to this topic being the owner of a Siglent SSA3021X-TG and I have a simple and clear question :

what is the input power limit that guarantees that the instrument will not be damaged with ANY possible instrument setting ?

In my opinion this number should be available on the instrument datasheet.

I'm in the process to select a set of  attenuators in order to analyze the power output of some HAM radios, of course trying to keep the balance between instrument safety and S/N ratio, but I'm now understanding that is not an easy task  :)

RoV:
SSA3021X ?  :-+

hpw:

I liked to measured the freq-. response of my wide-band 20..40dB amplifier.

So the tracking gen., as a maximal of a maximal of 20dB attenuation supported, I did run into into an input level overdraft.
This is IMHO a very hard limitation/restriction.

So it required, to attenuate the tracking generator, to more than the allowed maximal of 20dB.

hp

hfleming:

--- Quote from: fnaumann on January 13, 2024, 02:27:29 am ---I recently bought an expensive toy - a Siglent SSA2021X spectrum analyzer. I don't want to harm this not only because of the high purchase price. Hence my question, for simple tests and measurements on a Breadboard and with a signal generator in the 5 to 12V DC range, is a 20 dB attenuator sufficient as protection?

SSA2021X RF input
50V DC max - I have as additional protection a DC blocker
+30dBm max - which is one Watt (if I remember right)

With -20 dB from my external Siglent attenuator (20dB@4GHz) the SSA2021X should not be damaged till +50dBm ? Or is this false?

With my Oszilloskope the matter is much more relaxed, with 1 MΩ Input (instead 50Ω on the SSA), and the 1:10 probe you are relatively safe here with voltages not exceeding 24 V. I have no practical experience with specific RF performance. I don't want to analyze transmitters either, but rather interference signals in circuits, RF noise in my home office (switching power supplies, lamps).

--- End quote ---

Siglent has an app note showing something similar we used in the lab to protect our analyzers. It is just a pic fuse and an HV-blocking capacitor. In ours, we also added a PIN-diode limiter. A blown pico-fuse was a lot cheaper to replace than blowing up our very expensive R&S or HP spectrum analyzers. One common thing that inexperienced users did was to ignore large signals that is off-screen (like an oscillation, or the fundamental) whilst they zoom in on a very small signal.
The app note is here, but I am sure R&S, Keysight and Textronics will also have some similar notes.
https://siglentna.com/application-note/diy-spectrum-analyzer-input-protection

Wallace Gasiewicz:

--- Quote from: markone on April 14, 2024, 08:40:15 am ---I'm also interested to this topic being the owner of a Siglent SSA3021X-TG and I have a simple and clear question :

what is the input power limit that guarantees that the instrument will not be damaged with ANY possible instrument setting ?

In my opinion this number should be available on the instrument datasheet.

I'm in the process to select a set of  attenuators in order to analyze the power output of some HAM radios, of course trying to keep the balance between instrument safety and S/N ratio, but I'm now understanding that is not an easy task  :)



--- End quote ---
For Ham Radios and also adjusting the stand alone power meters I use a JFW 100 Watt 3 GHz 40 dB Attenuator.   
I also use an HP Power Sensor and use a SA for Harmonics.    I think these things were bought for the cell industry and have good specifications...At 100 Watt testing it does get warm after repeated testing over several minutes. 
When I test power meters, you might be surprised at the results.....

JFW 50FH 040 100 3N

I also have a much bigger oil filled Load that has a "take off" or Sampler connection that is not linear but can be easily calibrated out...( no bumps but a sagging signal at low end)   I THINK it works out to decreasing the signal by 60 dB....I would have to check.   It is a Military BIG Thing.  Great for Linear Amps.

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